Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-04-29
THE wIFE,s DEVOTION.

Myra was pouting. The unmistaka-
BILE expression Of ID-temper dis6gured
her pretty face, and Ernest sighed as
he remembered how often IL had been
there during their brief married expe-
rience.
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 teaspoon,
while Myra looked at him with the
cross look of thwarted child.
"Then you can't give me the dress y
she said.
81 can't, Myra. I really could not dc
it without running into debt"
That's just an excuse. Papa al
ways gave me the money for clothes.
even If he was cross about some other
things"
"Your father was rich man, Myra,
when we were married. am not stin-
gy, 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 eve
ry indulgence in my power without get
ting into debt. That / will not do for
the money"
II never thought you would be stin-
". Ernest."
This last thrust was too much for the
long-enduring temper. Ernest Ma
theirs voice was very stern as he an
swered:
Il wish he was rich now. I'd ask
him TO do il for you, for your own sake
as well as mine.''
He left her then, lingering in the hall,
as he put ON his overcoat, hoping she
would come for kiss and word Of re-
Cancellation. But she sat tapping her
little foot upon The floor until the hall door
closed, and then ran to her room crying.
She was spoiled child, The only daugh-
ter OF a man who hazarded his money
in an unfortunate speculation and lost
it. A position abroad was offered him,
which he accepted. His house and fur
eiture, which he had given to his daugh-
ter for wedding gifl, were settled upon
herself and not affected by his change
of fartune.
He knew Ernest Mather to be an
honorable man, who had good busi-
ness capacity and a high place in the
esteem and confidence OF his employ
ers, 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
sister 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.
s'It's no harm to look at the dress
again, even if | can't buy it," she said,
as she tied on coquetish little bonnet,
and otherwise beautified herself for the
expedition.
The day was bright, soft, warm
morning in early spring, and The shops
were filed with tempting finery. In
Myra's dainty portmonnaie there was
money enough to purchase number
Of nice little parcels, eveR though the
price of the expensive dress she wanted
was denied her.
So the morning slipped away, and
luncheon time found her chatting with
Julla Maxwell, and quite willing TO ac-
company that friend upon second tour
that afternoon.
1t was five clock when the little ma
tron, ''hred 10 DEATH" as she said,
reached her pretty home.
She was shocked 10 catch glimpse
of Ernest's maiden aunt, Miss Corde-
liza Lowry, her especial aversion and
dread. seated upon the drawing-room
sofa.
''Old horror! l wish she was al
home. I want to make up with Ernest.
| don't ike the dress half as much as
did yesterday" was her mental excla-
nation.
The second shock met her as she en-
tered her bedroom. Open boxes,
closets, drawers. and an air Of genera.
confusion every where, aud the small
trunk Ernest always took upon bis
short business trips missing altogether.
Clearly her husband bad packed up and
gone, leaving Aunt Cordelia. a usual.
10 keep Myra company. But where
was heE
Upon the dressing-tabIe was note
directed 10 herself, aud Mrs. Malher
tore Il open. No loving address 10 her
self-merely this
al have waited for y0ur return a. long
as possible, and written thls note to ex-
plain nv absence. / told YOU SIX