Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-11-12
Mary's Lesson.

said Young Mrs. Strong TO an old schoOl
friend who was paying her an afternoon
visit. ''Marry for money, for interest-for
ANYTHING but love. have tried that and
made a failure, such as it would break my
heart TO see you make"
Lucy Moore listened silently, a thought
full shadow on her fair young face.
'Is it indeed true?" she said. 81 grieve
TO hear it. How | remember your we'd
ding-dav, Mary How handsome and no
ble he looked, How bright and happy
were you, OH surely he loved you very
dearly, then?'
'.He thought he did, and so did /, " said
Mrs. Strong, with half-cheked sob.
'eBut it did not last long, Lucy. We have
been married Just two years, to-day. lie
left me this morning without kiss as he
usually does. He will come back to din
ner in the same way, and after it is al over
he will 90 out to his club, or some other
place. and never come home until after l
have gone to bed. And yet | have been
good, faithful and careful wife, and this is
my reward !"
She hid her face in her hands as she
spoke Lucy Moore bent over her and
whispered, ''In every way save one, my
dear Mary"
Mrs. Strong looked up.
'What do you mean -
promise me not to be angry and will
tell yeu."
go on"
"Your husband as a youn. man was
very fond of music. Do You ever play or
sing to him on an evening now"
''Oh, no. We gave that up long enough
ago"
''But whyl"
81 am sure l can't tell. Ii was such a
bore to practice"
''Do you read aloud to him or have him
read to youl'
'.No. used to; but somehow that is
given up too"
''And your dress; shall you change it
before he comes to dinner"
Mrs. Strong shook her head. She wore
dingy, flounced delaine, no collar or cuffs,
and her hair was rough and untidy; her
whole look one of carelessness.
"He would not notice it if did. Where
is the use, Lucyl 1t is all too late"
..No ii is not too late. But it may be
soon, - said Lucy earnestly. MARY, some
one ought to tell you. No one dares TO
but me. Your husband does nst so to his
club in the evening. He goes to Mrs.
Wylies'. You know her; you have heard
her name-"The Queen of Flirts." Mary,
she is a dangerous woman. She lives but
for admiration, and that she means TO have.
Your husband gives her admiration now;
take care that he gives her no mOre-his
love!"
Mrs. Strong burst into tears
''What can doi" she asked. Il know
that woman too well. What chance have |
against herr
Give yourself a chance, said Lucy with
kiss. ''Let your husband find pleasant
welcome from a wife neatly dressed, Mary.
Forgive the hint. You have beauty and
grace. Do not neglect them longer. Sing
10 him, Mary, play to him, charm and fas-
cinate him. You have done it once. Try
again, and save him from the Queen Of
F'lirts''
She stole softly from the room. 1t had
not beena pleasant lessOnto give; who shall
say: But Mrs. Strong was sensible, as well
as pretty woman, and five minutes after
Lucy Moore had gone, she went up to her
own room, acknowledging that her friend
had spoken but the truth.
That evening, Just after the street lamps
were lighted. Mr.. Strong cr.ne carelessly
toward his home. CareleSsly: Yes. that
was the word. That house was fast becOm-
ing to him only place 10 eat, sleep and
dress in-a place for which he had to pay
rent and taxes, but in which he took no
comfort or pleasure, if the truth must be
told.
Never mind, I'll go to Grace Wylie's as
soon as dinner is over and she will make it
up to me, bless her bright eyes" thought
Mr.. Strong, as he opened the front door
with his latch-key and strobe across the
hall.
Only halfway, however, for there be
fore him, at the foot of the stairs, stood Il
graceful. pretty woman, with satin smooth
brown hair and bright blue eyes, and
checks as red as roses, wearing a pretty
evening dress of dark blue silk, and shining
ornaments upon her snowy neck and arms.
welcome home, dear James" she said,
with a heavenly smile '.It's the second
anniversary of our wedding day. Won't
you spend this evening with me, dearl"
HIS only answer was cold embrace and
n sudden kiss. Her eyes were dim as he
sped up stairs to his own room to prepare
for dinner
brute, fool that | have beenl" he
thought to himself.
And after dinner, On the plea of smoking
one cigar, he went into Bond street. and
returned with a pretty gold watch and
chain as a present for his wife. They sang
the old songs together that evening; they
talked a long time over the dying fire. All.
it was not too late. He loved her still, and
she saved him and their happy home.
The lesson was not lost upon her. From
that day she has never grown careless
never ceased to strive to keep her husbands
as she once tried to win her lovers love.