Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1878-04-17

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"Your cheeks aro ~ white as chalk
there Is heavy lnc under your eyes,
and your whole air II that OF wo-
man worked 10 death,
James. what nonsense !
ut IL not nonsense, J with It was
Five years ago you had the complex
ion Of a child, as clear aud rosy ~
SusanS Your eyes then were bright,
full Of animation, You bad young
children, Il house TO keep In order,
aud Just half our present Income
Yet-you could find leisure then for
q daily walk, could read IN the evening
or sing tor me, could enjoy an oc-
casioual evening OF social pleasure, or
some entertainment, ! had u wife
then
James what do you mean 7"
~ mean that, in the place OF my
happy, healthy wife, ] have now n
sickly, over.worSed scamstreSs,
Those dolls that have just gone ont
have none OF the grace OF childhood,
They are fast becoming little pieces
of vanity all absorbed ih their 6nery,
Their undercothing would do for
signs in an emporium Of linen, with
the embroidery, runics and tucks,
'But do it my self, James"
Exactly. You are stitching yonr
life into the garments OF your children
who would be Tar happier, healthier
and better in the simple clothing
suited to their years.
"Oh, am well enough. | am pale
to-day because sat up late last night.
But | must dress for church or we
shall be late"
The service passed over Mrs.
Henley with hut little impression
To her chagrin the little Goodwins,
who had all their dresses direct from
London, had an entirely nav style OF
oyerskiyt, that made made Jennie,
Susan and Lot,io look quite o'd fash
ioned in the eyes of their mother.
Summer came, and the long June
days were spent in preparing Il seaside
ward robe for the children for Mr..
Henley, by the advice of his physician
was going to take his wife to the
seaside.
The pain in her side had become
very troublesome, and there was a
little hacking cough, that meant
wakeful nights. The pale cheeks
were seldom tinged with Il healthy
color, and the eyes were languid and
heavy. People spoke pityingly OF
Mrs Henley as quite an invalid" and
her husband mourned over the alter
alton in his wife,
He insisted upon having Il physician
who advised fresh air and tonic.
And Annie obediently swallowed the
tonic, took q daily walk, and then
made up "for lost time by stitching
nights. For were not the Goodwins,
the Wilcoxs, aud all the leading
fashionables OF Langton going TO the
same place where Mr.. Henley had
rooms, and could Jennie, Susan and
Loltie have one inch less ruftling and
tucking than they possessed ?
He only shrugged his shoulders
when his little girls minced along
with dainty fine lady airs, instead
of bounding with the freedom OF
childhood. He bore the steady whirr
of the sewing machine in the even
inc instead Of the voice or music Of his
wife.
But wh.n Annie'S health began TO
give way he exercised his authority,
and found ne had been silent too
long.
But. the Summer wardrobe COM
pleted the dainty dresses trimmed,
the trunks packed, Annie faithfully
promised James to rest during the
Summers sojourn at the seaside.
With q sudden consciousness of grow.
ing weakness there camo to her an
appreciation of her husband $ love and
patience that had been numbed. She
began torealIze that she had let her
ambition for dress overshow her love
Tor her husband, and that she had
wr,nged him in depriving him of the
companionship he priced so highly.
81 will rest while | am gone, and
when l come back, James | will give
my evenings to yoa as l did when we
were first married"
That was he; parting promise,
never to bo exac,ed. Only few
days of rest were allowed her before
an acute attack of lung fever prostrat
ed her. James left his business to
hurry to the seaside, nurse was