The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-12-11
A Wife's Lesson.


over, but still Ernest kept bis seat, toy
ing with teaspoon, while Myra looked
at him with the cross look of a thwarted
child.
Then you won't give me the dress ?''
she said
81 can't, Myra. ] really could not do
1t without running into debit
''rhars just an excuse. Papa always
gave me the money for my clothes,
even if ne was cross about some other
things"
"Your father was a rich man, Myra,
when we were married"
81 wish he were rich now. I'd ask
him for the money. 1 never thought
you would be so stingy, Ernest"
This last thrust was too much for the
long-enduring temper. Ernest Mather's
voice was very stern as he answered
81 am not stingy, Myra. You knew
that was a poor man when you mar
ried me aud that / could not give you
the luxuries Of your old home; but ]
have granted you every indulgence in
my power without getting into debt.
That ! will not do.n
He left her then, lingering in the hall
as be put on his overcoat, hoping that
she would come for a kiss aud a word
Of reconciliation.
But she sat tapping her little foot
upon the floor until the hall door closed,
and then ran to her room crying.
She was a spoilt child, the only
daughter Of a man who had been very
wealthy, but who had hazarded his
money in an unfortunate speculation
and lost il. A position abroad was
offered him, which he accepted. His
house and furniture, which he had
rrfnT his fHaurrfaHnr for srrafHfNfrrrr rrfF
were settled upon herself aud not af-
fected by his change of fortune. He
knew Ernest Mather to he an honorable
man, who had a good business capacity
and high place in the esteem and
confidence OF his employers, and he felt
no anxiety about Myra's future. So
the little wife, as she made her pretty
blue eyes all red with tears of temper,
had no sensible mother 10 tell her how
wrongly she was acting. Under these
circumstances the tears were soon dried
and Mrs. Mather went out for a walk.
"Ips no harm TO look at that dress
again, even if / can't buy it," she said.
In Myra's dainty pOrtemOunaie there
was money enough 20 purchase q num-
Der Of nice little parcels, even though
the price Of the expensive dress was
denied her. So the morning passed
away and luncheon time found her
chatting away with Julia Maxwell, and
quite willing to accompany her friend
upon a second tour in the afternoon.
1t was after five o'clock when the
little matron reached her pretty home.
Her first shock was catching glimpse
of Ernestis maiden aunt, Miss COrdelia
Lowry, her special aversion and dread,
seated upon the sofa.
"Oh, horror % she muttered, 81 wish
she was at home. / want 10 make up
with Ernest / don't like the dress half
as much as I did yesterday"
The second shock met her upon OPEN
ing the door OF her bedroom.
Open boxes, closets, drawers, an air
Of general confusion everywhere, and
the small trunk Ernest always took
upon his short business trips missing
altogether. Clearly her husband had
packed up and gone, leaving Aunt
Cordelia, as usual, to keep Myra COM
pamy.
But where was he?
Open the dressing table was a note
directed to herself, and Mrs. Mather tore
1t open.
No loving address to herself; merely
this:
81 have waited for your return as long
as possible, and write this 10 explain
my absence. ! told you six months
ago Of Mr.. Aguew's offer 10 me, if
would accept the position Of travelling
salesman 10 the hOuse-double my pres
ent salary, and a liberal commission
declined il then, because you said
the money would never compensate you
for the constant separation. To-day the
offer is renewed After ourconversation
this morning, l think your old objection
will hardly have any weight; 50 ] have
accepted and leave in an hour. / will
write you every month, inclOsing re-
mlttances. / leave the ACCOMMODATING
bank-note for the dress YOU desire. /
have sent for Aunt Cordelia as usual
TO stay with you.
ERNEST MATHERn
Not a loving word, not a regret for
the long separation.
Myra realized then how considerate
and loving her husband had been.
Great tears rolled down her cheeks
as she bitterly reproached herself
81 have made him think that / don't
care for anything but money" she
thought.
1t was not an easy task TO 20 to din
ner and meet Aunt Cordelia, but it must
be done.
The days passed very wearily.
Aunt COrdeiia preached daily ser
mons % Myra about extravaganza aud
various other feminine weaknesses to
the poor little woman, who wished she
was as hOmely and ill-ciad as the tor
mentor herself
And Myra grew to hate the words, in
the long months Of her enforced com
panlonship. For Ernest did not return.
Spuhgi summer, Autumn, passed
away anu december was opening, but
stlll 'ie ''lu not come. Every month a
lIl I1i ma ie..1. ie'cied Myra, inclosing a
value as proved Ernest vas makinq,
money, but each one Informed ,er tla,
her husband was just leaving tlle ,,iace
from which be wrote and md. "a, ,,..,,1
tion Of his next destination.
Heart-sick, pentitent, aud uhf O.,
lonely, the little wife spent only ,yb.,
was necessary for the house, and fairI,,
lOathed the sight Of the money that -.
accumulating IN her hands.
Letter after letter she wrote and de.
stroyed, not knowing where to direct
them.
She was growing so pale aud worn
that Aunt COrdeliais most hatefu
speeches went unanswered.
She was sitting in the drawing-roou
one cold December morning when Mr.
Agnew, ErDesrs employer, came in.
81 am sorry to disturb you, Mrs
Mather," be said "but l wish TO en-
quire if you have heard from Ernes
this week"