Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-04-25

He watched Lte 0uoct VI GulS ANNOUNCE
ment on me, but though was really dis
pleased. concealed my annoyance and ask
ed carelessly when he would start.
He replied. the next day if had no OBJ
lection, and so it was settled.
He was more affectionate than usual
that day, and I was colder than ever. Il
only once alluded to his journey, and that
was to ask if could have my sister Maud
to stay while he was gone. atn.
The next morning was anxious to avoid
formal parting, so drove to the station
with him.
AS the train moved off. remembered
this was the first parting since our mar
rage, and I wished had not been so cold.
When got home the house looked SO
dreary and empty and there was no one to
meet me; presently one of the servants
came for the shawls, and with her Nero,
Mr.. Cartwright's retriever, which, when
he saw 1 was alone, set up howl for his
master. 1 patted him and tried to COM
fort him, feeling rebuked for his grief, as
he followed me, whining, into the house.
Every room seemed empty, and each
spoke of the absent master. At last l
wandered into his study, where he spent
his mornings and liked me to sit and work;
and now remembered how often had
excused myself, saying l preferred the
drawing room, and this recollection did
not add to my happiness.
There was photograph of me standing
on his WI iting table and another on the
chime y-piece; On the walls hung two or
three drawings which he had begged OF
me when we were engaged; indeed the
room was full of little remem brances of
me. l opened book l had given him, and
in it was his name in my hand writ ng,
and underneath in his own, 'From my
darling wife, laid it down with 81. h,
as I thought how carefully he treated
everything l had ever given him, and how
little care took of all mis- gifts to me.
Everything l attempted, everything 1
looked at, reminded me Of his goodness
to me and of my GOODNESS and ingratitude
to him. at last I went to bed, where. al
ter working myself into fever of anxiety
lest he should not have reached the end of
bis journey in safety, at length cried my
self to sleep.
The next morning went down to break
fast with a heavy heart, for knew
couldn't hear from him till the next day;
it seemed so strange to breakfast alone
and Nero appeared to think so too, for he
was almost unhappy, shifting around his
masters chair in the most melancholy
manner.
Ny plate, for the first time since my
marriage, was empty, as l sat down to
breakfast, for my husband, who was an
early riser, always had little bouquet to
greet me with every morning; frequently
forgot all about it, and left it to be put
into water by the servant; this morning l
would have treasured it most carefully if
he had gathered it.
After breakfast I determined to rouse
myself and 60 and visit some of the poor
people in the village, so filled my basket
with some little delicacies for the sick and
set out.
Wherever I went it was the same story.
All held forth my husbands goodness and
Kindness, for all had been helped by him
in some way or other, and all loved and
respected him AS I listened with burn
ing cheeks felt as if l was the only per
son on earth who had treated him with
II INV ruoc tho
son whom he had most loved and
cherished.
At last went home, tired aud sick at
heart; but there was no one to notice [ was
pale and worn out. 10 one to get me WINE
or soup to revive me, no one to make me
lie down and rest, as he would have
done had he been there. Oh, how missed
him Was there ever woman loved and
cared for as had been? Was there ever
friend so grateful? I was sure he would
never come back Why had he gone
away?
And conscience answered, 'syou drove
him; he gave you all he had to give, and
in return you gave him nothing but cold
looks and unkind words; and so he left
you to seek love and sympathy from his
mother"
This thought almost maddened me. In
fancy saw her sitting In my place 0y his
side, loving and caressng him as had the
best right to love and caress him. l pic
tured her receiving tenderly the little low
ing acts h I'd received so coldly. and how
1 was seized with jealous anger against
her. | mentally accused her of estranging
my husba,. from me and of trying to win
his love from me, as though his heart was
not large enough for both of US.
When Maud arrived in the afternoon
treated her with long TRADE of abuse
against mothers-in-law in general and my
own in particular. I vented all the anger
I really felt against myself oD the innocent
Mrs. Cartwright.
"Why, Nelly" said Maud, 81 thought
you liked Mrs Cartwright so much, and
thought her so nice, that you even wanted
her to live with you, only your husband,
very properly, as mamma says. objected. :"
$50 did, answered; ''but I did not
know then that she would ever entice my
husband away from me in this way, or, Of
course, should never have liked her."
Greatly, Nell, you are very hard on the
poor woman; for. as I understand. Mr..
Cartwright went to her of his own free
will because she was not well and he
thought his company would do her good"
said Maud.
sNonsense: am sure he would have
never have left me alone, unless she had
put him up to it, replied rather GROSSLY.
1.-The truth is, Nelly, you are so much
in love with your husband that you are
even Jealous of his mother; and you are