Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-12-20
The Wife's Lesson.

ner pretty Idce, duu GIncst oISHcu DO
he remembered how often it had been
there during their brief marriage ex-
perience.
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 a
teaspoon. while Myra looked at him
with the cross look of thwarted child.
"Then you won't give me the dress!"
she said.
IL can't Myra. really could not
do it without running into debt"
That's just an excuse. Papa always
gave me the money for my clothes even
if he was cross about some other things"
"Your father was rich man, Myra.
when we were married"
81 wish he was rich now. I'd ask
him for the money. l 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:
81 am not stingy, Myra. You knew
that | was poor man when you mar
ried me. and that l could not give you
the luxuries of your old home; but
have granted you every indulgence in
my power without getting into debt
That | will not do for your sake as we'll
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
reconciliation.
But she sat tapping. her little feet
upon the floor until the hall door closed,
and then ran to her room crying.
She was 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.
His house and furniture, which he had
given his daughter as wedding gift,
were settled upon herself, and not af-
fected by his change of fortune.
He knew Ernest Mather to be an hon.
orable man, who had a good business
capacity 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
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
.'lt's no harm to look at the dress
again even if | can't buy it, she said,
as she tied on her coquettish little bon
net and otherwise beauti6ed herself for
the expedition.
The day was bright, soft warm
morning in early spring, and the shops
were filled with tempting fnery.
In Myra's dainty portemonnaie there
was money enough to purchase a num-
Der 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 the afternoon.
t was after FIVE o'clock when the lit
tie matron, ''tired to DEATH" as she
said reached her pretty home.
Her first shock was catching glimpse
of Ernest's maiden aunt, Miss Cordelia
Lowry, her especial aversion and dread.
seated upon the drawing-room sofa.
..Oh horror p she muttered. IL wish
she was at home. / want to make it uI
with Ernest. don't like the dress
half as much as l did yesterday.
The second shock met her upon open
ing the door of her bedroom.
Open boxes. closets, drawers. an all
of general confusion everywhere and the
small trunk Ernest took with him or
short business trips missing altogether.
Clearly her husband had packed uE
> and gone, leaving Aunt Cordelia, al
usual. to keep Myra company.
But where was he?
Upon the dressing table was a not
directed to herself, and Mrs. Mathe
) tore it open.
No loving addresses to herself; mere
ly this:
r Il have waited for your return a
long as possible. and write this to ex
plain my absence. [ told you si
months ago of Mr.. Agnew's offer to me
: if would accept the position of travele
: to the house-double my present salar.
J aud liberal commission. declined
then, because you said the money woul
5 never compensate you for the constan
: separation. To-day the offer is renew
!: ed After our conversation this morr
ing, l think your old objection wi
!. hardly have any weight. SO | have az