Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-05-20
THE WIFES LESSON.


Myra was pouting. The IN
mistakablv expression of i'll
temper distigared her prett,
face; and Ernest sighed as h
remembered how it had bee
there during their brief marrie'
experience. Upon the break
fast tube were standing tis
dishes Of a substantial meal, Il
the disorder that followed thei
use. Breakfast was over, bu
Ernest still kept his seat, toy
ing absently with a teaspoon
while Myra looked at him Will
the cross look of a thwartet
child. s.gsl I'D d
"Then you won't give me thu
d"ess?" she said.
81 can't, ,Myra. | really could
not do it without running rintt
debt" = se
"That's just an excuse, Pa
pa 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 money. / never
thought you wonld be stingy.
Ernest" <I~tI3g .4
This last thrust was too much
for he long enduring temper.
Ernest Mather's voice was
very stern as he answered:
81 am not stingy, Myra. You
knew | wass a poor man when
you married me, and 1 could moi
give you the lnxuries of your
old home; but | have granted
you every indulgence in my
power without gettinginto debt.
That / will not do. for your
sake as well as for mine"
He left her then, lingering in
the hall as be put on his over
coat, hoping she would come for
a kiss and word Of reconciliation.
But she sat tapping her little
foot upon the foer until The hall
door closed, aud then ran to her
room crying. She was aspoiled
child, the only daughter of a
man who had been very wealthy.
but who had hazarded his mon-
ey in an unfortunate speculation
and lost. A position abroad
was offered him aud he accepted
it. His house and furniture
which he had given his daught-
er for wedding gift, were set
tied upon herself, and not af-
ftcled by his change o. fortane.
He knew Ernest MaheI" to be
an honorable man, who had a
good business capacity and a
high place in The esteem and
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 to tell her
how wrongly she was acting, no
sister to sylnpathize 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," said she, as she tied on a
coquettish little bonnet, and
otherwise beautrfied herself for
the expedition.
Thc day was bright, a soft,
warm morning in early spring,
and The shops were filed with
tempting finery. In Myra's
dainty little portemonaie there
was enough money to purchase
a number Of little parcels, even
though the price of the expen-
sive dress was denied her. So
the morning slipped away and
luncheon time found her chat
ting with Julia Maxwell, and
ready to accompany that friend
on a second tour in the after
noon. 1t was five O'Clock when
the little matron, ''tired to
death.''eas she said reached her
home. Her first shock was
catching sight of Ernest's maid
en- aunt, Mss Cordelia Lowery,
her especial aversion and dread,
seated upon the drawing-room
sofa. ~
"OId horror!" she muttered.
"I 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 up
on opening the door of her bed
room. Open boxes, drawers,
closets, AM air of general confus-
ion everywhere, and that small
trunk Ernest always took upon
his short business trips missing
altogether. Clearly her hus-
band had packed up and gone,
leaving Aunt CordeIia, as usual,
to keep Myra company. But
where was hep JIpou The dress