The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-05-05
after all, and not so many years older

they want to put such an absurd clause
into the service. do not believe thal +,
when women utter the word, they ever
mean to carry out the spirit of the vow.
Yes, having duly considered the sub
iect, I am rather glad than not that this
cause of disagreement has arisen be-
tween us, as 1 can now assert myself
and show Will that it will be of no use
ever to attempt to domineer over me,
as intend always to have my own way.
Occasionally L may yield to him, but
only when it suits me to do so. AS a
rule L shall act upon my own judgment
L judged for myself when l married
him. That is positive proof, therefore,
that my Judgment is good and sound;
and so I shall tell him if he ventures to
dispute the fact. shall ask Mrs. Up
larly care for her-she is rather fighty
individual, especially for widow; but
there is not anybody else I should like
| to ask.
+ Mrs. Upton declares that she will be
delighted to go. 1t is the very place,
she AYERS, that she has been longing to
see. 1 propose Wednesday, as Will
will be late home that evening; and for
tunately Wednesday will suit her ar
rangements admirably.
Wednesday comes, and I feel exactly
as though were a conspirator meditat-
ing some heinous crime, plotting against
the happiness of some one dear to me.
I verify believe that were it not that 1
have settled everything with Mrs. Up
ton should relinquish all idea of 60
ing. Fortunately for my independence,
L cannot with grace draw back. L am
ashAne of my own foolishness-Ir really
am. can only excuse it on the ground
that Will has been even more kind than
usual, and yesterday brought me home
pair of earrings-such pretty pair,
aud cXactly the sort L have been want
ng-dear fellow! But then, as 1 re-
fleet, am not child to be bribed with
new toys.
l have told Jane to inform her master
that have gone out and shall not re
turn till late, and that he need not sit
up for me.
The theater is full; but we have very
good seats in the dress circle. do not
enjoy myself bit though. am alto
gether uncomfortable because of the
smiles and stares with which we are
favored. 1 do wish Mrs. Upton's ap,
pearance was not quite so snowy 1 dc
not mean to say that she is vulgar in hel
manner or gaudy in her dress, but
somehow she manages to make herself
very noticeable. She is not particu
larly nice-looking, but her figure is
! good and her attire fashionable-per.
! haps too fashionable. Then she talks
loudly, and has considerable animation
of gesture. For these reasons combined
| suppose she always manages to at.
tract attention to her neighborhood
She does not seem to mind it in the
least, but 1 dc.
The place is horrid, the acting i;
quite second-rate, and the heat is abom
Unable. 1 cannot imagine what Mrs
Upton can find to enjoy, but she says il
is all charming; and certainly she look:
radiant enough, while 1 feel as cross a,
possible.
am thankful when it is over.
began to think it never would end, ant
the audience kept clapping and ap
plauding. How terribly the publ,
taste must be deteriorating
/ am dreadfully anxious to depart, bu
my companion is not inclined to hurr,
herself. There is a great rush at tht
doors, and we have some trouble in gel
ting q cab. The crowd is so rough too
and my head aches, and Mrs. Uptol
keeps saying such stupid things. A.
we drive along / resolve that l vii
never ask her to accompany me any
where again. 1t is quite a relief t.
reach home, and so be rid of her.
knock very gently, in order tina
Will may not be disturbed; but m,
precaution is needless, as Will himsel
opens the door.
Good evening, DEAR" say, gayly
But you need not have sat up. tolt
Jane to wait for me-"
"Jane informed me of the direction
you had given her, but told her tha
should stay up for you and that sh
could go to bed"
"Oh, if you preferred it so it is al
right then" L return, nonchalently
taking off my wraps, and conscious of
coldness in my husbands tones.
Supper is ON the table, but prepare,
only for one.
won't you have some, too?" 1 in
Qulre, ldhlnS my SedI'
"No, thank you. am not hungry.
Neither am 1, 1 have no appetite
but 1 force myself to eat some pie an
drink cup of tea. l start CONVEX
sation once or twice, but viii, who
reading, or pretending to read, give
such curt answers that L do not perse
we're in my efforts.
push aside my empty plate an
cup, and get up from my chair. The
viii rises too and comes to my side.
"Where have you been, Dollyy" h
asks.
"To the Variety theatre to see Fac
and Fiction"
"By yourself?"
"No; Mrs. Upton went with me-"
: "Do you remember that prohibite
your going?"
Really Will can look remarkabl
stern and severe when he chooses
However, do not mean to be frighr
ened.
eyes, remember perfectly WE'LL"
reply, calmly. "What of it?"
i, "And you went in direct oppositio
to my wishes ?"
"Yes, dear, certainly I did. I tol
you should"
I, He turns away without another wore
1 and, though 1 have displayed a prop,
D amount of dignity and spirit, I am vel
far from being elated.
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