Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-01

OF delight. She did sing Sweetly-but 1t was the
divine attraction Of those black eyes which SO
much affected me.
could have listened all night.
But Mrs. Graham was too good dlpl0matist
to allow anything OF the kind. She saw liked
my new home; suspected, doubtless, / was stricken
by her daughter, and, like good general, made
a skilful retreat.
At half-past eleven was alone in my room,
and shortly after, finding fire and pipe had
gone out, retired to bed to dream of odd tricks,
the rub, black eyes, guitars, light gazelleS, and
animals quoted In pathetic love verses by discon-
SOlate maidenS.
CHAPTER III.
AS day after day wore on l became more and
more infatuated with the adorable Mary, and one
evening, when we were out for walk, whis-
pered words of love into her ear. Instead of re-
spending, as fondly hoped, she began to speak
Her father had been captain in a foot regi-
ment, of respectable family, but little means,
who dying, left them pittance and house OF
utilize by letting lodgings. BY this means,
and with the assistance of her son, who was
clerk In bank, they contrived to live in compar-
alive comfort
/ was sufficiently raised above her to he little
proud OF the fact. My father was clegyman, and
the younger scion of noble house, l told my
story with pardonable pride. Perhaps enlarged
too much on my noble relations for, with slight
sigh, Mary complained of fatigue, and we went
home.
one little month, and the words had been
afecdonS mine, and with the consent of all the
high contracting parties, our union was to take
place at the end OF six months of probation.
remained ledger, or rather, from that day,
bOarder in the house. l believe few women
would have stood the test but my Mary did. She
was always the same gentle, kind, merry fasci-
always of others; a devoted daughter, an adj
mirable sister, and a kind though somewhat
Maynard mistress. l became more and more
fascinated every day of my life.
NV future mOthef-in-law WAS admirable. No
one could have been made more Of than was.
An armchair by the fire, warm slippers, my
favor1te joints On Sunday-nothing could be too
good for me-
Mary, though still assisting her mother, be-
came more like what the wife of a future
barriSter-at-law should be; and am of Opinion
make of us, the better it would be for us.
She devoted several hours day to improve
herself 1 selected books for her and guided her
studies, and naturally enough found her an apt
scholar.
At last my holiday came. 1t was to last three
weeks, and selected the opportunity to get
married. will not describe the ceremony. 1t
is so much an everyday affair that 1t needs no
elaborate notice. To me it was the acme of
human happiness. But have other things to
tell.
We were married and the honeymoon was
spent at retired watering place, where our
personal joy was lost to view in the general en-
jOyment
We knew nobody, but we were all in all unto
ourselves; and when at the expiration Of my
leave OF absence we returned to ISlington a
more loving or affectiOnate couple did not exist.
CHAPTER ".
Let my surprise, my Indignation be conceived
when, on arriving at home, / found my books
and papers in the front parlor, and discovered
that our dormitory was on the same floor.
The drawtng-room was let to clerk in the
Bank Of England.
was utterly overwhelmed. hate parlOrS
and have weakness for drawing rooms. l
turned to Mary and said we had better leave at
once
'Oh, Charles" she said, with tear glistentng
in her eye, 1.-THE very first day we come home!
1t would look so unkind, and make mamma so
unhappy"
your mamma does not mind making us very
uncomfortable replied
Uncomfortable" cried the voice of the
Charmer why, it's the incest, cosiest little par
lor in the world. Come, sit down, there's a
dear, and let us have some tea"
l yielded. 1t is the fate of man. A proper
amount OF respect to ones w1fe's opinion and
wishes is the duty OF husband, but little firm
ness is also very desirable 1 saw clearly the
coming disadvantages OF the new arrangement
but also saw that Mary was distressed fact
had only been married three weeks.
Mrs. Graham, probably. guessing what would
be my feelings, had prudently kept out of the
way until the matter was settled; but now she
came In as bland and smiling as ever to join our
Now, did not like Mrs. Graham-not at all
Dut wished for pleasant tet9-a-tete with my
wife. saw at once that my visions of domestic
bliss were over. The moment the drawing room
was let, was bound to make this common
sitting-room. could not leave my mother-in-
kind may say. She 1t was first suggested that
my wife should be special purse-bearer. Now,
up to that moment there had been no question
of money between US. Mary had whatever she
required What remained generally at the end
of the week expended In books.
But now had surrendered my dignity. My
purchases were canvaSSed, and, knowing my
worthy mother-in-law's idiosyncrasy, rarely
ventured on the only luxury in which ever de-
sired to indulge. Besides had little opportu-
no onv Wa sit fa naf anG wnsh
mother and son-but neighbors would drop In.
My reading hours were after supper.
-; It was eleven O'Clock, and l was wrapped In
Blackstone. The smoke Of my pipe gracefully
curled round my head. All was still, when a
hand was laid across my eyes.
eleven O'Clock Charley
but, my dear Mary haven't read line
these four days. really must study some time
or other"
'.But mamma says it's so bad for the eyes,
and smoking Is worse. She's made me promise
not to let you read or smoke after eleven, said
my Wife, In her most seductive tones.
was about to say something harsh about her
about my neck, and kiss was imprinted on my nv
yielded. '-''|-N INV
1t was a fatal defeat. From that hour nv
mother-in-law was master OF the house. ceased
to be consulted. My very wife acted In all things
without consulting me. Twas cipher. will
uOl nstrdsSo uy TeduerS WIN minute details, out
Will say briefly that ere six months had elapsed,
had descended into one OF the meekest, most
placid and plant of sonS-in-law.
My w1fe-let me do her justice-waS the same
dear, kind, affectiOnate little soul as ever. She
loved me truly, and sought to make me happy.
But example is contagious She saw me treated
as nobody, and the cOntagion spread.
She would ask in her friends to tea without
explanation or warning; but If 1 unfortunately
proposed the Introduction OF an acquaintance,
had to hold council OF war, in which my voice
was heard very humbly indeed, and the high
contracting parties decided without asking for
my vote
Now will not be harsh on mothers-in-law. l
believe this state OF things to be natural.
mother has been used all life to control the ac-
tons OF her daughter; her child marries, and
she parts with her authority with great difficul-
ty. She cannot bear to see her power over her
child pass into the hands OF stranger and
hence her constant endeayorS to acquire the
masterShip over him.
Yes: but. unhappy mortal, why live with your
mOtherin-laW?
CHAPTER V.
had met Jack johnson in the morning. A
finer fellow never breathed. l had wildly asked
him to dine with me on the following Sunday
and had just intimated as much to my wife and
My wife looked down upon the
ground She liked Jack johnson, and wished me
TO enjoy the society Of my friends; but Mrs. Ora
nam had dflated so much on extravaganza, ex-
pens1ve habits and my fatal fOndneSS for society,"
that she knew not what to say.
Il believe" said Mrs. Graham, with slight
cough. I'VE had company last Sunday. This