Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-11-10


knot of bright ribbons at her throat.
On the contrary, Fanny wore the
same faded, ill-ftting dress of the morn
ing, with the addition-if addition it
could be called-of a half-soiled collar,
pinned away and fastened with bunch
of dingy ribbon.
1t was impossible for Fred not to no.
tice the difference, and making men-
tai comment ON it not very tiattering to
the wife of his choice.
The contrast was too marked to escape
her notice, though it was easy to see
that she ascribed the change to their
different conditions.
"Ah! you won't think it's worth while
to fuss so much after you're married,
Jen," she said, with laugh.
"Perhaps Miss Jenny will think her
husband worth dressing for" retorted
Fred.
eff she does, hope it will be for a
husband who cares enough for her soci-
ETY. to spend one evening at home out of
six,
Fred turned red with anger and NOR
tification.
1t was evident to Jenny that this
would not have been the last of it had
she not been present.
She hastened to change the subject,
being aided in the endeavor by the ad-
vent of baby.
1t was lovely child, and one would
suppose would be an additional tie to
bind their hearts together, but instead of
that it was constant bone of conten-
ton.
Thus matters went on for some days.
Jenny observed with pain that Fred was
in the habit of spending most of his eve
nings out. For a while after she came
he stayed in, but mortified as well as ir-
ritated by his wife's slovenly appear
ance and fretful complaining, he gradu-
ally absented himself, until he rarely
spent an evening at home.
els Mr.. Dayton out this evening"
inquired Jenny, as, entering the sitting
room, she glanced around.
"You never need ask, that question,
returned Fanny; "he's always out"
Jenny had long wished for an oppor-
tunity to talk with her cousin. After
moments grave silence she said;
"And do you know what the end of
this will be, Fanny?'
"Ruin, [ suppose, " was the bitter re-
ponse. "But there is no help for it, as
/ see. 1t is something for which | am
not responsible"
"But I think you are, Fanny"
'I?" replied Fanny, opening her eyes
widely; "what can you mean?"
"Just what say, my dear cousin.
When you married Frederick Dayton,
no man was more domestically inclined
or fonder Of his wife and home than he. "
"He's got over it bravely!" exclaimed
Fanny, with bitter laugh. "He don't
act as if he had the slightest affection for
me, and seems to prefer any place to his
home"
"And is not this in great measure
your own fault? Nay, look not so an
cry, dear cousin; love you too well to
see you reckIessly throwing away your
happiness and his. Did not the altera-
ton you speak of spring from the change
in you? We cannot love what is un-
lovely. No man can love q wife who
takes no pains to make her person neat
and attrative, or home that is full of
chickering's and discomfort. Before
your marriage you would have been ter
rifed at the idea of his catching q
glimpse of you in the attire in which
you now allow him to see you all day.
Why should you seek to look less pleas
ing in his eyes now than then?"
Fanny glanced at the opposite mirror
that revealed so unfattering a tale,
coloring with anger and modification.
cit is impossible for a married women
to dress as she did when a girl, and no
man has right to expect it.
"Every man has right to expect his
wife to have sufficient respect for him
to present neat and tidy appearance.
You did not consider it too much trouble |
to dress when Judge Barry called on you.
And last evening, at the party, when Mr..
Howard picked up your handkerchief,
you received it with a look and smile |
such as have not seen you bestow upon |
your husband, even when he took twice |
the pains to please your
"You are very severe, said Fanny,