The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-01-14
AIARY's LESSON.
A Story for Neglected Wives.

mAKN'S LESSON.
Story for Neglected Wives.
Boston Home Journal
mo, Lucy, never make lOve-match," said
young Mrs. Strong to an old school friend,
who was paying her an afternoon visit.
HAIarry for money, interest-for anything
but love. have tried that and made fall
ure, such as it would break my heart to see
YOU make"
Lucy Moore listened silently, thoughtful
shadow on her fair young face.
"Is it indeed true?" she said. II grieve to
hear it. How | remember your wedding day,
Mary How handsomeand noble he looked
How happy and bright yea werel OH surely,
he loved you very dearly thenr'
"He thought he did, and so did l." said
Mrs Strong with a half-choked sob. "But it
did not last long, Lucy. We have been mar
RE d Just two years, to-day. He will not re-
IN ember the day. He left me this morning
without a kiss as he usuallydoes He will come
back to dinner in the same way, and after it
is over he will 20 out to his club or some
other place, and never come home until after
have gone to bed And yet have been Il
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
ain every way save one, my dear Mary"
Mrs. Strong looked up.
"What do you mean?"
promise me not to be angry, and / will
tell you"
go on"
''Your husband, as young 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 why?"
"I'm sure can't tell 1t was such bore
to practice"
ado you read aloud to him, or have him
read to your"
mo, used to; but somehow that is given
up, too"
Sand your dress; shall you change it be-
| fore he comes TO dinner?"
Mrs. Strong shook her head She wore a
dingy, hounced delaine no collar or cuffs,
and her hair was rough and untidy; her
whole look was one of carelessness.
"He would not notice it if L did. Where
is the use Lucy? 1t is too late"
"No, it 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 not
| go to his club of an evening He goes to Mrs.
| Wylies. You know her; you have heard of
her name-The Queen of Flirts.' Mary, she
is a dangerous woman. She lives but for ad-
miration, and that she means to have. Your
husband gives her admiration now; take care
he gives her no more-his love-"
Mrs. Streng burst into tears.
"What can / do?" she asked. Il know
that woman'too well. What chance have 1
| against herr"
"Give yourself chance" said Lucy with
a 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
to him, Mary, play for him, charm and fascin-
ate him. You have have done it once. Try
again and save him from the Queen Of
Flirts'"
She stole softly from the room. 1t had
not been a pleasant lesson to receive; it
might not have been Il pleasant one to give;
who shall say2 But Mrs. Strong was
a sensible as well as "A 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
had been lighted, Mr. Strong came carelessly
toward his home. Carelessly2 Yes, that was
the word. That house was fast becoming to
him only place to eat, sleep and dress in
a place for which he had to pay rent and
i taxes, but in which he took no comfort or
pleasure if the truth must be told.
"Never mind, III 90 to Grace Wylie's as
soon as dinner is over, and she will make it
up to me, bless her bright eyesi" thought
Mr.. Strong, as he opened the front door with
his latch-key and strobe across the hall.
Only half way, however, for there before
him, at the foot of the stairs, stood grace
full pretty woman, with satin smooth brown
hair and bright blue eyes, and cheeks as red
as roses. wearing pretty evening dress of
dark blue silk and shining ornaments upon
her snowy neck and arms.
welcome home, dear james, she said,
with heavenly smile. '1t's the second an
niversary of our wedding day Won't you
spend this evening with me. dear?"
His only answer was a warm embrace and
a sudden kiss. Her eyes were dim as he sped
up stairs to his room TO prepare for dinner.
"Brute, fool that have beenl" he thought
to himself.
And after dinner, on the plea Of smoking
IA cigar, he went into Bond street, and return
ed with pretty gold watch and chain as a
present for his wife. They sang the old songs
together that evening; they talked 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.