Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-02-24
LAURETTE.

\ es, It was marriage LOT loNe,
there is no denying that.
Many weather. wiser, pretter and
more prudent girl would have been
clad to have the Rev. Bcranger Has
lem--in his own congregation, too-but
he must needs pick up the strange
wilding from some outlandlsh place,
and set at the head of his influential
city church as pastors wife" and see
ing that she had no money, family nor
expectations, what else could he have
chosen her for but blind, stupid love?
And vet but four months after the
Coming home;" behold Laurette in
her husbands study, where she sits
with corrugated brow before his halt
written sermon, not crouchlng lovingly
on the foot stool beside him, with her
dainty toy work in her lap, as the nor
NAL run of idyls would have 1t, but
standing before him, the table between
them, passionate tears IN her eyes, re-
proach, despair on her countenance,
her hands clasped i'll frenzy of woe
''Why did you ever bring me here?'
she shudders out III tragic. GREATNESS
gasps; mot because you loved me. All,
no, Beranger, never that Don't seek
to comfort me by your cold assurances.
| know better now |"
"My dear, my dear" expostulates
Mr. Haslem, gently, but in rather a dis
couraged tone, as if he was finding his
better half a bit Of handful to man
age.
Mr.. Haslem is great man; his heart
is in his work, and his true desire is to
do his duty in the sphere III which God
has placed him; but if he had not also
placed his heart in the keeping of this
restless, eager girl, he would never have
taken her to be the companion OF his
life; consequently these wild words fall
almost like an outrage on his ears, al
though he assures himself she can sure
" never mean them, nor do HIM such
injustice.
eyes, yes, know that only trouble
vouw cries Iaurette, the burning tears
beginning to fall over he scorchng
cheeks-"that have no place here but
to cause anXiety-that but for me you
would be Il happier and more success
ful man. | know all that so we'll | am
no comfort to you, no advantage IN
your work, and have come to
"Laurette," interrupts he, wildly;
"have / ever said anything like this to
youW
ooh, no, no! You are too patient
and good, but | know know you
never would have chosen me, Beran-
ger, but that you took pity on my great
love for you, which |, poor fool, could
not hidel"
"Why will you torture yourself thus,
dear? Do you find me uukind or neg
lected to you,. that you should fancy
such things
mo, too kind; too considerate" muir
murs the young wife, wringing her hot
hands; "too accomplishing for 1t to be
real. Don't | know what your wife
should be? Why didn't you marry a
wise, useful young lady, whose poor,
foolish heart would not torment YOU
with So much love and ycarning? You
don't need any worship-it is only oX-
travagance to you
Il thought | wanted it, Iaurette, or
| would not have asked you for II, y
signs Mr.. Haslen, feeling words to be
idle, while the wH twists them so
strangely,
But you know better now gasps
Laurette, with hystcrical laugh,
land SO do |, to my despair. Oh,
Beranger, never think that | blamed
your
She stands n moment. whitening to
the lips. gazing Mt him in INDIGESTION,
rs if She longed even yet TO east her
self Mt his feet, and implore his tender
ness or forgiveness, but his eyes are ON
his unfinished sermon, longingly rs 1t
seems and she turns away and crecps
softly from the room rs if crushed.
My darling, begins the young huS-
band, looking up, and then he discovers
that he is alone
after all. ." lie muses., 1T is better 70
leave her to come to reason herself
she ALWAYS does-and then | can tell
her, perhaps. more strongly than |
have ever done, how deep and strong
my love is for her Poor little Lau-
rettc, | wonder why she doubts me2'
But it is saturday evening, and his
sermon must be finished, SO he puts
away domestic perpleNities with an ef-
fort. and plunges into theology.
With al his cxcellcncies and he il
truly an aflectonatc. cyerthoughtiul
husband-Nlr. llaslem does not alto
gether understand the way to treat his
Lauottc.
She is passionatcIy loving impulsIye,
diaident, and full ot nervous, gener-
ous. impossible faneicS lie calm, strong