Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-09-27
SWeetheartS and Wives.

goes from the bright face to the sober
one, giving it new and pleasant as
pect. Both faces are young-the one
at the window the youngest-almost
childlike. Yet the window face is the
face of wife, and the street face that
of maiden, "fancy Free"
"How strangely was deceived, Bel
la p said the lady in the street.
Deceived, how Mary? What do you
mean? But come in. You're just the
one wish to see.''
IL was sure / saw you not ten min
utes ago, riding out with Harry" said
the young friend, as they met and en-
braced at the door.
"Oh, dear, no l haven't been out
riding with Harry for month"
''Indeed, how's that [ can remember
when you rode out together almost every
afternoon"
eyes, but that was before our mar
riage." replied the young wife, in
voice that made her friend look into her
face narrowly.
"The husband has less time for recre-
alton than the lover. He must give
more thought for business. remarked
her friend.
The little wife tossed her head and
shrugged her shoulders in doubtful
way, saying as she did so, IL don't
know about the business! but lovers and
husbands are different species of the
genus homo. The explanation lies
somewhere in this direction, l presume.
"Ah, Bella, Bella That speech
doesn't come with a musical sound from
your lips" remarked the friend smiling,
yet serious.
Truth is not always melodious," said
Bella.
"How is it as to sweethearts and
wives ?" asked the friend. ''Do they
belong to the same class ?''
The question appeared to reach the
young wife's ears with suggestive force.
Her face was little changed as she
answered:
81 don't know. Perhaps not"
The friend had been scanning the
young wife for some moments from head
to foot, in way that now elicted the
question.
"Do you see anything peculiar about
me?"
"Yes." was answered.
"What?"
"a peculiar untidiness that | never
observed In the sweetheart"
Bella glanced down at her soiled
rufaed dress.
my neglige," she said. with little,
short laugh.
80 l should think Now, shall
draw your picture ?"
"Yes, if you have an artists fancy"
"Here it is. Hair lustreless and un-
tidy; skin dull for want of action and
feeling; wrapper better conditioned for
the washtub and ironing table than as a
garment for the fair person of young
wife: no collar nor ornament of any
kind, and countenance-well, | can't
give that as | saw it little while age
at the window; but am sure it wasn't
the face to charm lover. Perhaps il
might suit husband. But | have my
doubts"
Bella felt the reproof of her friend az
was evident by the spots that began tt
burn on her checks.
"You wouldn't have me dress as fo
party every day p she said.
"Oh, no ! But I'd have you neat ant
sweet as young wife should always be
that is if she cared for the fond eyes o
her husband. verify believe it wa
Harry | saw riding out a little whil,
ago"
Bella threw quick startled look up
on her friend who already half regrette,
her closing sentence.
"Why did you say that? What di,
y ou mean o. she asked
ii only said it to plague you," an
swered the friend.
ITO plague me !" There was an ex
preston in Bella's face that Mary ha
never seen there before. Her eyes ha
, suddenly grown of darker shade ant
were eager and questioning. Her lip
lay closer together; there were line
on her forehead.
"You are not really in earnest, Mary
about seeing Harry riding out with
lady this afternoon ?" she said in
voice and with look that reveale
fully her state of mind.
The color had left her face and he
heart shook in her. voice.
Il was probably mistaken, Bella, re
piled the friend; though / had nc
| doubted the fact moment until l sa'
you at the window little while age" 7"
did you notice the Lady partict
larly?"
"No; but let the matter pass. dea
No doubt was mistaken. 1t is worry
ing you more than | could have imagir