The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-02-24
THE OLD STORY.

A sober, half-discontented face at the
window-a bright face in the street
The window is thrown open and smile
goes from the bright face to the sober
one, giving it new and pleasanter as
pect. Both faces are young-that al
the window youngest; almost child-like
Yet the window-face is the face of {
wife, and the street-face that of {
maiden, fancy-free."
How strangely l was deceived
Bella 70 said the lady in the street.
Deceived How, Mary? What dc
you mean? But, come in, you're just
the one l wish to see"
Il was sure L saw you, not ten min
utes ago, riding out with Harry" said
the young friend, as they met and kissed
at the door.
"Oh, dear, no 1 haven't peen out
riding with Harry for month"
"Indeed? Hows that? [ can re-
member when you rode out together
almost every afternoon"
"Yes; but that was before our mar
riage," replied the young wife, in a voice
that made her friend look into her face
narrowly.
"rhe husband has less time fol
recreation than the lover He must give
more thought to business" remarked
the friend.
The little wife tossed her head and
shrugged her shoulders in doubtful
way, saying, as she did so:
"Idon't know about the business. But
lovers and husbands are different specie;
of the genus homo. The explanation
lies somewhere in this direction, pre-
sumo"
"Ah, Bella, Bella! That speccl
does not come with a musical sounC
from your lips" remarked the friend,
smiling, yet serious.
"Truth is not always melodious,
said Bella.
"How is it to sweethearts and wives ~
asked the friend; "do they belong to
the same clasp
The question appeared to reach the
young wife's ears with a suggestive
force. Her voice was q little changed
as she answered:
81 don't know; perhaps not !"
Then, after moment, she said: "And
you thought it was Harry and I that
you saw riding out %
II was certain of it; but, it only
goes to show how one may be mis-
taken"
The friend had been scanning the
young wife for some moments, from
head to foot, in way that now called
out the question:
"Do you see anything peculiar about
meY"
"Yes," was answered.
"What ?''
"A peculiar untidiness that 1 never
saw in the sweetheart ~
Bella glanced down at her soiled anC
rutfied dress.
"My neglige?" she said with little
short laugh.
$50 1 should think Now, shall
draw your pictme?"
"Yes; if you have an artists fancy
Here it is: Hair lusterless and I'M
tidy; skin dull for want of action and
feeling; a wrapper better conditioned
for the washing-tub and ironing-table
than as a garment for the fair person Of
young wife; no collar nor ornament o
any kind; and countenance-well,
can't give that>as / saw it a little while
ago, at the window, but I'm sure il
wasn't the face to charm lover, Per
haps it might suit a husband-but
have my doubts"
"Why, Mary, You are in sportiy'
mood"
"No; serious. How do you like thu
picture? Let me compare it with th'
original. Fairly reproduced, believe
/ hardly think that you were in thi
trim when Harry fell in love. But j
may all be we'll enough for husband
1 have no experience in this line, an(
can't speak by the card"
Bella felt the reproof of her friend
as was evident by the spots that began
to burn on her cheeks.
you wouldn't have me dress il
party style every day?" she said.
"Oh, no; but I'd have you neat anC
sweet, as a young wife should Away
be; that is, if she cares for the fonC
eyes of her husband. Iverily believe i
was Harry 1 saw riding out a littl,
while agop
Bella threw a quick, startled lool
upon her friend who, already, half re
gretted her closing sentence,