The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-24
THE DAILY STAR
THE WIFE'S LESSON.
BY CLARA ARUNDEL.
Myra was pouting.

Ernest sighed as he remembered how OIL
ten it had been there during their brief
married experience.
Upon the breakfast table were stand
ing the dishes of substantial meal, IN
the disorder that follows their use.
Breakfast was over, but Ernest still
kept his seat, toying absently with tea
spoon. while Myra looked at him with
the cross look of thwarted child.
"Then you won't give me the dress?'
she said.
81 can't Myra. l really could not DO
it without running into debit?
"That's Just an excuse. Papa always
gave me the money for my clothes, even
if he was cross about some other thingsT'
"Your father was rich man, Myra,
when we were married"
"I wish he was rich now. I'd ask him
for the money. | never thought you
would be stingy, Ernest"
This last thrust was too much for the
long enduring temper.
Ernest, Mather's voice was very stern
as he answered;
"I am not stingy, Myra. You knew
that was poor man when you married
me, and 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 l
will not do, for your sake as well as
mine"
He left her then, lingering in the hail.
as he put on his overcoat, hoping she
would come for a kiss and word of re-
cancellation.
But she sat tapping her little foot upon
the floor until the hall-door closed, and
hen ran to her room crying.
She was a spoiled child, the only
daughter of man who had been very
wealthy, but who had hazarded his
money in an unfortunate speculation,
and lost it.
A position abroad was offered him,
which he accepted.
His house and furniture, which he had
given his daughter for wedding gift,
were settled upon herself, and not affected
by his change of fortune.
He knew Ernest Mather to be an hon
orable man, who had a good business Ca
pacity 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 to tell
her how wrongly she was acting, no sis
ter to sympathize with her, no one to
scold or humor her,
Under these circumstances the tears
were soon dried, and Mrs. Mather went
out for walk
ats no harm to look at the dress
again, even if can't buy it," she said,
as she tied on coquettish little bonnet
and otherwise beautitied herself for her
expedition.
The day was bright soft warm morn
ing in early spring and the shops were
filled with tempting fnery.
In Myra's dainty porte-monnaie there
was money enough to purchase a number
of nice little parcels, even though the
price of the expensive dress she wanted
was denied her.
So the morning slipped away, and
luncheon time found her chatting with
Julia Maxwell, and quite willing to ac-
company that friend upon second tour
in tie afternoon.
1t was five o'clock when the little ma
tron, ''tired to death, as she said, reached
her pretty home.
Her first shock was catching a glimpse
of Ernest's maiden aunt, Miss Cordelia
Lowry, her especial aversion and dread,
seated upon the drawing-room sofa.
"Old horrorW she muttered. 81 wish
she was at home. ! want to make it up
with Ernest. / don't like the dress half
as much as ! 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 ur
and gone, leaving aunt Cordelia, as usual
% keep Myra company.
But where was he?
Upon the dressing table was note di
rected to herself, and Mrs Mather tore
It open.
No loving address to herself; merely
this:
81 have waited for your return AZ
long as possible, and write this to ex
plain my absence. told you six months
ago of Mr.. Agnews offer to me, if woulc
accept the position of traveller to thu
house-double my present salary, and ;
liberal commission. | declined it then
because you said the money would neve
compensate you for the constant separd
tion. To-day the offer is renewed. Afte
our conversation this morning, thinl
your old objection will hardly have an.
weight; so / have accepted, and leave il
an hour. | will write you every month
incosing remittances. l leave the ac
companying bank-note for the dress yo1
desire. have sent for Aunt Cordelia
as usual, to stay with you.
ERNEST MATHERs."
Not a loving word, not regret for tn
Iong separation,
Myra realized then how considerat
and loving her husband had been unde
the wearing vexations of her whins an
caprices