Morris tribune., 1881-03-17
THE POETS WIFE.

THE POETS WIFE.
envy love" said Grace Elton's father, one
night at tea, do you remember that We saw
gentleman sitting upon the gate of the old
house in the lane, a few nights ago."
Yes, papa" answered Grace, coloring In
spite of herself.
We'll, have found out to day that he is
the author of those poems which you ad
mire so much. His name is Lawrence Nor
tom"
Up stairs two at a time flew Grace, and
snatching a wen-worn volume from the
shelf, sat down to the twenty sixth reading.
The poems were never half so beautiful be-
fore-she was sure of that-but somehow
she could not help feellnga little uneasy
sensation as she gathered from certain odd
lines that the poet certainly loved somebody
with all his heart Who could it be? What
happy creature his sister-his wife must
be!
The next Sabbath she saw the poet at
church. When she felt quite sure that he
did not know it, she looked at him because
he was poet. Certainly he had a fine intel
lectual head and face-and his eyes were so
dark and expressive! But then it was not
right to have such thoughts on Sunday, so
Grace ordered all vain and foolish ones to
depart from her mind.
One evening, as they sat together at tea,
Mr.. Elton said to his wife-"My dear do
YOU remember YOUR old friend Lucy Law
rsnce?"
oh yes, but it is many years since I
have seen her. She married-who was it
odd that l can't remember"
There is a son of hers in town, and as l
knew you would like to see him, l invited
him to spend an evening with US. His name
is Lawrence Norton-the same to whom [
spoke to you, Grace"
WELL" said Mrs. Elton-but her coun-
tenance expressed anything but pleasure.
She seemed absorbed in thought several
minutes; at last, suddenly starting, she adj
dressed Grace. MY dear, quite forgot to
tell you that your friend Mary, is not well,
and think you had better go this evening
and see her.
What if he should come while I am
gone, thought Grace-and she thought it
e1pedient to drink half cup of scalding
tea.
Why, what's the matter with the child?"
cried Mrs. E., seeing her eyes full of tears.
THE tea is so hot, mammal"
Hardly worth crying about, however"
Grace set off on her visit to Mary. On
her return home she danced into the parlor
singing-what do you think she was sing
ing? One of Lawrence Norton's songs-and
who should be there but the poet himself,
probably he knew that those words were
his own. How should Grace recover from
the confusion into which she had thus
danced! It,was rather late, andshe knew that
he must stay few minutes longer. The
few minutes, however were well improved
by the young man, for he lost no time in
getting acquainted with the beautiful one
H. Lol
enough that Grace should be pleased when
she heard him invited by papa to come
again-it was right for the young poet to be
glad to come again.
Grace could think of nothing else for
whole week. She read his poems, she
could not help hoping she should meet him
if she walked out-she ran to the window
many times day when some tall parsonage
was passing. How delightful it will be-
thought she, ito hear him talk whole
evening hope he will not send mamma
word when he is coming again! If he does,
woe be unto mel shall be sent away.
Strange to tell, the poet did take pains to
let Mrs. Elton know that he was about to
honor her with his company again. Grace
was directly desiled to spend the evening
with her friend Mary. How provoking, "
she thought. why am I sent out of the
AOu5C Ill lAlo oOSAO S'OAy eilAO SOhO SOALiCo
into it?" Grace was not in a very good hui
NOR. She walked slowly along the street
with her eyes cast to the ground-yexed
with herself, because she couldn't help
thinking of Mr.. Norton-and vexed with
her mamma for denying her his delightful
society.
However, thought she, 81 have always
admired him ever since have seen his po-
ems, and there's no harm in thinking Of q
poet" At this moment her foot caught in
a string which lay tangled in her path-to
save herself from falling, she caught at the
nearest post, which pI- proved to be no
other than Lawrence Norton! In her haste
to release the astonished poet from her en-
braces, etell and the young gentleman i'm
agining she hadfainted, took her unceremon-
iously in his arms, and carried her into the
house that seemed nearest. Great was his
modification when he found that the lady had
not tainted, and if he might judge from the
q color of her face at the moment, had nc
thought of doing so. 1t was soon ascer-
tanned that Miss Grace had sprained he1
ankle, and that her walking home was out
of the question. Mary was very sorry but
neither papa nor brother was at home, sc
p Lawrence Norton went off very cheerfully
= for carriage. Grace was assisted to CREEP
into it by the poet, he could not do less
than accompany her, and in few minutes
the gentle, accomplishing girl was lying
on the sofa at home, with papamamma, and
Lawrence Norton all around her. What
could mamma do! Could she send the young
man out of the house? Could she forbid
his looking extremely handsome? Could
she order him to become tedious. common
place, "prosy- dosy" in his conversation!
= The next day, however, Mrs. Elton took
goodIcare to confne Grace to her own room
TT will never do" said she, for you to
stay down stairs, where we are constantly
in danger of having visitors" Moreover
the dear mamma anxious to ascertain il
possible, the state of her daughters heart
began to talk of Lawrence Norton. Bu
how should she discover that which Grace
knew not herself? A serious address on the
evils of falling il love followed this exam.
ir1ation, and SO deep was the interest of the
subject, that Mrs. Elton did not perceive
the approach of the dinner hour, nor The
wen known ring of her husband. At last {
fercible entrance was made into the room
by the dear little man himself.
why, what's the matier?" cried he
= +here i've been waiting for dinner this hal
hour-dinner growing colder and colder
and hotter and hotter. Then I come ant
knock at your door till my knuckles ar,
black and blue--no answer-call till m,
lunps are sore-no answer-and now
should like to know the meaning of all this.
Nv this time Mr.. Elton's wrath had evapo
( rated. and he threw himself into chair
~ and burst into fit of uncomfortable laugh
ter when the astonished mamma mad
known to him the subject of her morning
sc lecture; !, ,,.,sa Won fancy that moo
Grace may be smitten with the perfection