South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-06-17
Grace Egerton's Life Lesson.
BY c. w.

1t was Grace Egerton's wedding
day, and she stood fully dressed before
her mirror, taking one last look, with
little pardonable vanity, at the pref.
ty figure reflected there.
In another hour she should he Mira
Ernest Redgravc. How hard it was
to realize
She was vain and rather frivolous
girl but deep down in the depths of
the little worldly heart was n we'll OF
trne love for Ernest If she had to
give up all this outside show, she
! would have been quite content TO have
gone OFT all alone with him, aud prov
ed how true wife she could be. but
there was no occasion for this. sand per-
haps even Grace herself knew not
how wholly she loved him. She was
spoiled, petted child, and that any
solemn duties were entailed in the es-
tate upon which she was just entering
she did not pause to think.
For four weeks she and Ernest
travelled then they came home To
their own beautiful home-her fathers
wedding gift to her. Here a round of
festivities awaited them, so that the
young couple for three months had no
single evening to themselves.
i am tired, Grace. Let US stay at
home to night darling said Ernest
| one evening after dinner, as Grace
was about TO leave him to make her
toilet tor some party.
Absurd, Ernest? You are not
growing old already, surely! BE.
sides, promised Mrs. Blcssington we
would come, and | cannot diSappoint
her.
Il do not like Mrs. Blessinrton. /
wish you were not so intimate with
her; and really my head aches TO
night. Stay at home like a good lit
tie girl
For o moment Grace wavered.
She looked within the library, which
seemed 50 warm and inviting. She
could fancy Ernest stretched on the
sofa, while she sat beside him, bathing
his forehead with some fragrant co.
logne, and thought what n sweet, coy
evening they might have. Then she
remembered something Mrs. Blessing
ton had said about spelling men, and
how easy it was to begin, and how
selfish they grew.
1t was we'll enough for Ernest to
spoil her. That was to be expected :;
but rs to spelling him-no, indeed |!
80 ohe ran up stairs, calling back over
her shoulders as she went.
Come, Ernest, we have got no time
to lose. And us to that horrid pre-.
judice of yours, do try ard get over it.
There came a temptation to the
man "a temptation 10 carry out his
own manly will but a softer, tender
cr feeling swept over him as a mental
vision OF the pretty laughing face
passed before him; and half AN honr
later he stood i'll full dress waiting the
advent OF the beautiful girl, vino, all
unconsciOuSly TO them both, was steer
ing her frail vessel on the quicksanLs
of married misery.
a year passed and Mr.. and Mrs.
Redgraye were still i'm the gay vortex
OF fashionable life; but to the mans
spirit it had grown unuttera5ly weari-
| some.
q married for home, Grace lie
said one day, i'll general expostuIation;
but what do | see of my home ?
quite enough to satisfy reason
able man. Why, ] shouldn't want to
be alone with you all the time, Ernest.
Think how awfully tired We should
get OF each other
The thoughtlcss words stabbed like
ii knife, but Inc made them no reply.
Only that evening, for the first time,
| Mrs. Redgravo went to some gay as.
5omGlage alone. Her husband had
refused to accompany her.
Il am tired, nc said but do not
let me detain YOU Mrs. Blcssington
IS seen constantly without her hus.
band.
because he is bear answered
| Grncc, poutjug.
Nevertheless she went, and after
that il was no uncommon thing for
| Ernest TO spend his evenings with his
books aud thoughts, while his beauti-
ful young wife went out alone.
| 'Grace, ! wish you to give Mrs.
Blcssington up lac said to her one
evening, as they sat at dinner.
| Nonsense, Ernest, / cannot do it if
/ wished it ever so much
But you must do it. / will not
havo you So 70 ;hat woman's house
again
But Ernest, have already accept.
cd an invitation TO dinner party
| there for Thursday evening
'Thcn write and decline. do not
ask you this without cause. little rrl.
bat things have recently come 10 NV
hearing regarding this lady, and do
not wish my wifc's name coupled with
hers
Grace made no reply, but in her
own heart her decision was unaltered