Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-04-10

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any serious doubts on the subject before
she gave her reluctant consent to the
marriage, no long time passed after an
engagement ring had been placed on
Marie's finger, before they were dis
PEELED. Another might not have seen
any change in the young mans bearing
toward her; but to her more subtle and
jealous observation, the signs of indifer-
ence too surely became visible. The
little courtesies and attentions which the
young man had been 80 quick to Offer
began to have less warmth and freedom
IN them; and were sometimes omitted
altogether. He was not so ready to defer
to her tastes and opinions; and did not
listen when she talked with the old ap-
parent interest. So it went on, month
after month, each day giving its new
revelation Of the truth, and making it
palmer and palmer to Mrs. Fleetwood
that, while loving the daughter, he was
Indifferent to the mother, and there
would never exist between them any
true relation of confidence or affection.
But Marie had come back to the old
home again. Not so; the old home was
large enough; had many untitled cham.
bers; but the young husband wanted his
beloved all to himself. So he made for
her home in which they might dwell
together, and be happy in themselves
alone.
To share any of his blessings with an
other, and so increase his capacity for
still higher enjoyment, was something
out OF the range of Cleveland's philos-
ophy. What he had made his own, so
to speak, was his own, to hold and to
enjoy for himself alone. Marie was now
his wife, and in becoming his wife her
old duties and relations as a daughter
had come to an end. In marrying the
daughter there had been no intention on
his part to assume any obligations in re-
gard to the mother. The question did
not even come up in his mind for debate.
Indeed, it was not his habit to discuss
questions involving duty. Others must
take care OF themselves as he was taking
care of himself. He had gained for his
wife one Of the purest, truest and sweet
est of women, and he was happy in the
possession of so rich blessing. But he
had never thought of putting himself
In the mothers place and trying to i'm
agine what would be her sense of loss
what her loneliness and desolation of
spirit, when the light of her life should
be taken away from her.
Alone, with her desolate and aching
heart, Mrs. Fleetwood began the difficult
task of adjusting herself to these new
conditions. Were the reserve forces still
in her possession strong enough to work?
Could a life which had flowed on in
sweet rhythm tor twenty years, suddenly
arrested in its course and turned into a
new and strange channel, ever move on
again with the old freedom and delight?
Not so! The mother hid her heart as
best she could and tried to rally herself
and put on the semblance OF resigna-
ton and contented spirit. And Marie
was go happy in her new home, and in
the love of her husband, that she did
not see what Others saw in the face of
her widowed and now almost childless
mosher, a fading and failing that made
themselves more and more visible as the
weeks and months went on. All, had
not the mother been wounded in her love
in her very life! Out of that wound
the drops were falling slowly and stead
lily, spite of the hand that was held so
closely against it in q vain attempt to
staunch the flow.
Cleaveland made no effort to conceal
the indifference which he felt towards
his wife's mother. He was polite to her
whenever they happened to meet, which
was not very often, as Mrs. Fleetwood
rarely called at his house to see Marie,
except in the day time, when her hus-
band was away from home. Now and
then, at remote intervals, he went with
Marie to see her in the evening, and put
on kind of pretence of caring for her:
but, though he said pleasant words, an
ear acute to discern every affection in
tho voice, could perceive no heart in
them, listen though it often did with
hungry longing for the love and tender
consideration which were denied. Not
that Mrs. Fleetwood ever annoyed him
with ungracious intrusions of herself, or
made herself disagreeable in any wav.
He was simply Indifferent; had never
taken her into account, and never meant
to. If she had been in any personal or
pecuniary need, for Marie's sake and
for the sake of appearances, he would
have supplied all her necessities. But
for any higher claim he had no recogni-
ton. The tender and sentimental side
of his nature had received so far in life
but little culture.
One day, lady who had known him
intimately for so many years that she
had acquired the privilege of plain speak
ing, asked him, with some concern in
her voice, If Mrs. Fleetwood had been
sick.
" l presume not" was the rather cold
about it," '"' '' n'"'' no'n'ns
"When did you see her last1" inquired
the lady.
The young man lifted his ewes to the
ceiling in a half Indifferent way. and
after rejecting for a moment or two
said:
Really, Mrs: Ray, I cannot just
The lady fixed her gaze upon him and
with an expression that caused him to
ask:
8" What's the matter? Why do YOU
look at me so?" He tried to smile. but
the sober countenance of his friend
drove the light back from his face.
"Don't remember when you saw
Marie's mother last"
1e1HapS COulu remember IL were
to try very hard. She's here every
week: may be two or three times; but
I'm never home except in the evening""
"And is Mrs. Fleetwood never at your
house in the EVENING""
"Very rarely; she doesn't like to 20
"Does she live entirely alone?"
Yes, SO far as l know! Alone, ex-
cept for her servants.'
$50 far as you knowl Am I talking
to George Cleveland?"
THAT'S my name. I'm not aware of
having changed my identity" The
young man showed a slight degree of
annoyance. 20
" I could hardly have believed that:
young friend"
REALLY, Mrs. Ray, this is all a riddle.
One would think from the way YOU ara
talking that I'd been actually ABUSING
my mother-in-law." 80
- There are many ways; Of abusing