Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-10-26
A Nice Little Game.

looked at HlDs anu hSA P'~''J
eI es, which only minute before had
been brimful Of tears, eml.ed sparks
of fire. Her rosy month closed with a
firm expression, and her dainty foot
came down upon the rug in very de-
cided manner.
Il won't stand it!p she said, under
her breath Il can't--'twill kill me TO
see him night after night besotted, de-
graded, running both soul and body. l
must do something-I must save him,
for nay baby's sakev
Then she sat down and medllaled.
They had been married littleoyer two
years, aud the babe in the wicker cradle
was a thriving boy. No happier wo-
man than Dolly the world held, but for
one thing. Her young husband would
drink. He loved bis social glass, his
wine suppers and club dinners.-
He did not neglect his wife, but often
he came home in the small hours IN
rather an unsteady condition. Dolly
tried everYthiDg-tears, entreaties,
persuasions-hut he only laughed her
of.
where's the harm, Dolly?' Can't q
fellow be merry now aud then with his
friends p
But Dolly saw the fatal evil growing
upon him day by day, and knew what
the end would be. She shuidered, and
her eyes filled with tears, but the
the minute after they flashed fire, and
she smiled.
'Pll try it, she said to herself; ii 1t
does no good, it can't do much harm.'
Then she said, 'Frankv
Her husband reused up, and, opening
his eyes with an imbecile stare, replied:
All right, Dolly
Frank, you believe that wife should
follow in her husbands's footsteps,
don't your
TO be sure. You're a sensible wo'
man, Dolly.'
"And you're a sensible man, Frank.
What's right for you to do is right Tor
me, isn't it?
Precisely Just so Dolly-exacsly.
You're a wise woman, you are.'
Dolly smiled quietly.
Very well, Frank; if yon go to the
tavern any more nights, Pm going, tool
Her husband looked up half sObered.
Nonsense, Dolly 4! he said; shat is
running the thing into the ground'
You will do no such thlng.'
You'll see that I will, Frankp she
answered, resolutely. L love you, and
what you do I shall do too! If you see
fit to ruin yourself, soul and body, and
shame your son, L shall follow your ex-
ample. care for nothing that you can
not share. AS you do, SO will L.
His cheek paled and bis lip quIVered
He sat silent for a minute, then got up
and said:
Nonsense, little girl! Come to bed
Dolly
She followed him obediently, and
no more was said on the subject. For
three or four nights Frank came home
punctualIy, then his old habit mastered
him.
Dolly had his supper all waiting, and
bis slippers and dressing-gown before
the fire, but he did not come. She
waited patiently TIL 10 O'clock then
putting a wrap about her, she called the
housemaid.
sit by baby's crib, Mary, when MI
Maylairs comes, tell him l have gone
to the Reindeer. Ask no questions
and take good care Of baby, and you
shall have dollar extra this month
Very we'll, ma'am, with won derina
looks.
Twelve o'clock-one!-and then th'
Young husband let himself in With hl
night key, and came reeling into th'
sitting room, There sat the mal(
beside the sleeping child.
Frank looked about him little an1
lously.
Fast asleep! Fine little fellow" h'
said, bending over the CRIB. 'Mary,m]
girl, where's your mistress-gone ''
: 5ed?'
No sir; she is gone to the Reindeer
hotel.
He stood and stared.
What do you say, girl?
She went out at ten, sir, aud oad'
me tell you when you came that she had
gone to the Reindeer
The young husband stiiied somethln'
like an oath, and sat down before lh'
hearth. Half an hour went by. theI
he started up and glanced at the CLOCK
Great heavens 1t is nearly two ant
she's not here!
He seized his hst aud rushed from The
house liko one mad. BY the time h'
was half way to the Reindeer, he was
perfectly sober.
Gould she have meant what sh
said p he asked himself over aud Owe
again.
Presently a carriage came down iron
the lighted tavern on the hill, aud, as
passed INN, a woman's voice rang out
singing the chorus.
We won't go home till morning.
1t was his wite's voice. He caught a
the horses head, frantic with rage
Doll,'s pretty curly head looked out al
the vehicle stopped.