American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-07-23

unread by mortal Robert Ainsworth
was very fond of his wife, but not of his
wife's cares, and early after their union
he had limited as much TO her; their
earliest friend, however, did not shrink
from the enuui of listening. In the
watches of darkness she lay awake de-
vising starting point for the new de-
parture to which Mrs. Ainsworth had
pledged her word. Domestic reform is
SO slow of growth, one despairs of prog
ress, and is fain to rest content with
theorizing. but Mrs. Miller at last be-
thought herself OF a plan which was re-
ferrcd next morning to the head of the
family as he finished a con >oling break
fast.
"Where do you take vacation this
year, Mr.. Ainsworth?"
Il am uncertain, as my partner, Mr..
Isle, who usually spends fortnight
with me i'll some troutiug region is laid
up with a sprain. My classmate, Hill
dreth. proposes q trip through the
White Mountains. | have not visited
them since our wedd ng journey. Lucy,
we wont say how many years ago"
81 have arranged to meet my hus
band at Conway. After leaving your
house, why can you not alter your plan,
taking your wife, also, and extending
the tour to Canadap lam certain Lucy
will como back another woman. She
needs cool holiday. And mine will
be worth twice as much if she is of the
travelling party"
"A sensible idea, but my wife is a
home body, and | would not risk her
out of her Paradise" A glance at the
face opposite him led to the exclama-
ton,
"Why, Lucy! are you illP Do you
wish for such vacation? l have been
unlucky in my attempts of this kind,
you know" And the question seemed
settled beyond discussion.
REALLY, it is rather startling, but
Anna has walked me up SO thoroughly
perhaps l will accept proposal from
you'll"
Mr.. Ainsworth looked mystified. but
said what was required at the moment,
and walked to his Office with half-an
noyed expression. 81 cannot see why
", she is not quite herself to forget how
much devolves on her in summertime.
OF course. of course am happy to have
her companyi but what of home, mean
while?"
Julia and Maria cried out loudly at
tie bare suggestion of Mammals run.
ming away" and Mrs. Ainsworth would
hardly have had courage to ma intain
her resolution had not Mrs. Miller been
persistent. She called the girls int
her chamber and with them held a
of war as to n grand shopping
solely for the benefit OF
wardrobe. which was mat
ter of secondary Importance to her
simply because she allowed
it to become so. l cannot deny that
the sensible friend who was ready to
excuse anything in reason, found her
patience sorely taxed by the lamentable
weakness which oft en- hid sturdy virtues
in this wife and mot her. She wondered,
pitie d and gently reproved, when it was
clear that her advice was eagerly sought.
Julia and Maria caught the infection OF
Mrs. Miller's energy, and really en- loved
the notion of choosing pretty and SUBJ
slant al articles for the fresh outfit.
Mamma always says, This will do
for me-" exclam med the older girl as
they hung over a counter of laces and
linen sets, land suppose
seem rather old, anv way,
though she is ever so sweet when her
hair is down like veil on her shout
ders. She must have this fichu with
pinkr'
Little by little matters were arranged
for the unexpected absence. Guests
were put off, poor cousin asked to
preside over the house; the younger
children sent to the country under
good supervision. the older ones duly
cheered on their way. and one morning
the Ainsworths, Mrs. Miller and Mr..
and Mrs. Hildreth, were steaming out
into the great glistening summer land.
To one of the social party life seemed
to have begun again.
NY story of this Vacation" will not
lead to the familiar description OF
mountain scenery and adventure, de-
lightful though thew were. Those rest
full, heaven born days served, for the
time at least, to set the soul of Lucy
Ainsworth free from its combining cage.
Her eyes saw and her ears heard
things unspeakable as she charmed her
husband by the grace of youth which
some magic (partly that of dress) re-
stored to her.
IL don't know my wife, Mrs. Mil
lerr' he would say, in pleased tone.
"She is far handsomer than her girls
will ever be, and SO lovable."
Mrs. Miller did not laugh at the sen.
timent of an old married lover, but en-
it most warmly. Robert
Ainsworth was learning his lesson,
also. as she perceived with gladness.
1t occurred to his mind that Lucy had
been too much "a drudge" the crea-
ture his taste shrank from, and that
less of the nursery and more of the
world would keep her at
the natural level of her sphere. while
to the woman herself higher voices
were whispering. Out of the past,
from the graves of father and mother,
hey called her to the promise of her
girlhood, to the faith she had so nearly
let slip. Her idea of responsibility
had been of the earth, her seed sowing
for the present rather than for the
arge future, and as she and her true
friend at length parted, perhaps for
ever, each to take up the duties that
,he interval of pleasure had more clear
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