Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-06-07
Grace Egsrton's Life Lesson,
BY Q. W..

It was Grace EgertOn's wedding-day,
aud she stood fully dressed before her
mirror. taking one last look, with lit
tie pardonabIe vanity, at the pretty
figure reflected there.
In anO her hour she should be Mrs
Ernest Redgrave. How hard it was to
realize!
She was q vain and rather frivolous
girl; but deep down in the depths of the
little worldly heart was well Of true
love for Ernest. If she had to give up
all this outside show. she would have
been quite content to have gone off all
alone with him, and proved how true .
wife she could be. but there was no oc
casion for this, and perhaps even Grace
herself knew not how wholly she loved
him. She was q spoiled, petted child,
and that any solemn duties were entail
ed in the estate upon which she was just
entering, she did not pause to,think.
For four weeks she and Ernest travel
ed then they came home to their own
beautiful home-her fathers wedding
gift to her. Here round of festivities
awaited them, so that the young couple
for three months had no single evening
to themselves.
"I am tired, Grace. Let US stay at
home to night darling" said Ernest one
evening after dinner, as Grace was
bout to leave him to make her toilet for
some party.
"Absurd, Ernest? You are not grow
ing old already. surely! Besides. l
promised Mrs. Blessington we would
come, and cannot disappoint her."
'I do not like Mrs. BlessiDgtOn. !
wish you were not SO intimate with her;
aI IN rtvh
Stay at home like good little girl"
For a moment Grace wavered. She
looked within the library, which seem
ed SO w~rm and inviting. She could
fancy Ernest stretched Oh the sofa,
while she sat beside him, bathing his
prehead with some fragrant colOgnf,
and thought what sweet, cozy even
ing they might have. Then she remem
bered something Mrs. Blassington bad
said about spelling men. and how easy
it was to begin, and how selfieh they
grew.
1t was we'll enough for Ernest to spoil
her. That WAS to be expected; but as
to spelling him-no, indeed! So she
ran upstairs, calling back over bel
shoulders as she went.
"Come, Ernest. we have got no time
tO lose. And as to that hOrrid prejudice
Of yours. do try and get over it,"
There came q temptation to the man
"a temptation to carry out his own
manly will; but softer, tenderer feel
ing swept over him as mental vision
of the pretty laughing face passed be
fore him and half an hour later he stood
in full dress waiting the advent OF the
beautiful girl, who, all unconsciously tC
them both, was steering her frail vessel
on the quicksaDds of married miser..
A year passed and Mr.. and Mrs Red
grave were still in the gay vortex o.
| fashionable life; but to the mau's spirit
it had grown uuutterably wearisOnie.
II married for home. Gree" +" he said
one day, in general exposIulation; "bul
/ what do see Of my home?'
"Quite enough to satisfy reasonable
i man. Why, I shouldn't want to Dt
alone with you all the time, Ernest. =
Think how awfully tired we should gel
of each other"
The thoughtless words sfabbed like
knife, but he made them no reply. Only
that evening. for the first time, Mrs
Redgrave went to some gay assemblag'
alone. Her husband had refused TO &C
company her.
II am tired" he said; "but do not LEI
me detain yon Mrs Blessington y seei
constantly without her husband"
because he il bear, answered
Grace, pouting"
Neyeftheless she went, and after that