Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-04-15
The Wife'S Lesson.
Myra was poutlng.

The unnliStakable expression ofill-tGmper
ilsfgured her pretty face; and Ernest
sighed as he remembered how often it had
been there during their brief married ex-
perience.
Upon the breakfast table were standing
the dishes of a substantial meal, ia the dis
order that followed 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 a 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. Inever thought you would
be so stingy, Ernest.
| This last thrust was too much for the long
enduring temper.
Ernest Mather's voice was very stern as
he answered:
Il am not stingy, Myra. You knew I
was poor man when you married me, and
that | could not give you the luxuries of
your old home; but l have granted you
every indulgence in my power without get
ting inte 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
| e. L. nF III.
ton.
But she sat tapping her little foot upon
the floor until the hall door closed, and then
ran to her room crying.
She was a spoiled child, the only daugh-
ter of man who had been very wealthy,
but who had hazarded his money In an un-
fortunate speculation and lost.
A position abroad was offered him and he
accepted it.
His house and furniture which he had
given his daughter for wedding gift, were
settled upon herself, and not affected by
his change of fortune.
He knew Ernest Mather to be an honor
able man, who had good business capacity
and high place in the esteem and conf
dence of his employers and 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 10 tell her how wrongly
she was acting, no sister TO sympathize with
her, no one to scold or humor her.
Under the circumstances the tears were
soon dried and Mrs. Mather went out for a
walk.
"It's no harm to look at the dress again,
even If | can't buy it" she said, as she tried
on a coquettish little bonnet, and otherwise
beauti6ed herself for the expedition.
The day was bright, a soft warm morning
in early spring, and the shops were filled
with tempting fnery.
In Myra's dainty portemonnaie there was
enough money to purchase number of
nice little parcels, even though the price of
the expensive dress was denied her.
So the morning slipped away and lunch
con time found her chatting with Julia
Maxwell, and quite willing to accompany
that friend on a second tour in the after
noon.
1t was after five o'clock when the little
matron, 'tired to DEATH" as she said reach
ed her home.
Her first shock was catching sight of
Ernest's maiden aunt, Miss Cordelia Lowry,
her especial aversion and dread, seated upon
the drawing room sofa.
''Old horror!" she muttered. 81 wish
| she was at home. | want to make up with
Ernest. | don't like the dress half as much
as | did Yesterday"
The second shock met her upon opening
the door of her bedroom.
Open boxes, closets, drawers, an air OF
general confusion everywhere, and that
small trunk Ernest always took upon his
short business trips missing altogether.
Clearly her husband had packed up and
gone, leaving Aunt Cordelia, as usual, to
keep Myra company.
But where was he.
Upon the dressing table was a note di-
rected to herself, and Mrs. Mather tore it
open.
No loving address to herself, but merely
this:
[ have waited for your return as long as
possible, and | write this to explain my
absence told you six months ago of Mr..
Agnew's offer to me if l would accept the
position OF traveller to the house-double
nv present salary and liberal commission.
! / declined it then because you said the
money would never compensate you for the
constant separation. To-day the offer is
renewed. After our conversation this
morning | think your only objection will
hardly have any weight; so have accepted
and leave in an hour. / will write you
every month, inclosing remittances.
hau nho fOx 10