The Osceola times., 1881-08-13
THE LIFE LESSON.
sComether. Anoiice, a spell.

It was Grace Eeerton's wedding Gay,
and she stood fully dressed before the
mirror, taking one last look, with little
pardonable vanity. at the pretty figure
reflected there.
In another hour she would be Mrs.
Ernest Redgrave. How hard 1t was TO
realize
She was vain and rather frivolous
girl, but deep down in the depths Of the
little worldly heart was well of true
love for Ernest.
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 mad no single evening
to themselves.
81 am tired, Grace. Let us stay at
home tonight, darling" said Ernest, one
evening after dinner, as Grace was
about to leave him to make her toilet
for party.
Absurd, Ernest You are not grow.
ing old already. surely Besides, |
promised Mrs. Blessipgton / would come,
and cannot disappoint her."
II do not like Mrs. Blessington. i
wish you were not so intimate with her,
and really my head aches tonight. Stay
at home like good little girl"
For moment Grace wavered. She
looked within the library, which seemed
80 warm and inviting. Then she re-
membered something that Mrs. Bles.
sington had said about spelling men, and
how easy 1t was to begin, and how SELL
fish they grew.
"Come, Ernest, we have got no time to
lose. As to that horrid prejudice of
yours. do trv TO get rid OF it."
There came a temptation 10 tho man
"A temptation to carry out his own
manly wilt but softer, tender feeling
swept over him as mental vision OF q
pretty laughing face passed before him;
and half an hour later he stood in full
dress waiting the advent Of the beaui.
full girl, who, all unconsciously to them
both, was steering her frail vessel on the
Quicks OF married misery.
A year passed and Mr.. and Mrs. Red
grave were still in the gay vortex OF
fashionable life; but to the mans spirit
1t had grown unutterably wearisome.
II married for home, Grace" he
eaid, one day, in gentle exposiulation;
"but what do see of my homer"
"uuite enou sh to satisfy a reasonable
man. Well, shouldn't like to be alone
with you all the time, Ernest. Think
bow awfully tired We should get of each
other"
The thoughtless words stabbed him
like knife. but he made no reply. Only
that evening, for the first time, Mrs.
Redgrave went TO some gay assemblage
alone. Her husband had refused TO ac-
company her.
Nevertheless she went. and after that
It was no uncommon thing tor Ernest te
spend his evenings with his books and
thoughts while his beautiful young wife
went out alone.
"Grace. wish YOU to give Mrs. Bles.
sington up" he said to her one evening
as they sat at dinner.
"Nonsense. Ernest. l cannot do 1t If
l wished it everso much"
'But you must do it. will not have
you 90 TO that woman's house again"
"But, Ernest, / have already accepted
an invitation to a dinner party there for
Thursday evening"
"Then write and decline. l do not
ask you this without cause, little girl.
but things have recently come to rny
hearing regarding this lady, and | 90
not wish my wife's name coupled with
her's.'
Grace made no reply, but in her own
heart her decision was unaltered. Begin
10 yield to mans whim, and where
would she end? OF course she would
90.
This time the matter was unexpected-
" made easy for her; for as Ernest kiss
I'd her goodbye on Thursday morning
he said to her:
81 shan't be home to dinner to-day,
Grace. You had better dine at mothers.
By the way this was Mrs. Blessington's
night. You have declined that invita-
non"
The first fear that she had ever felt
of Ernest crept into her heart at new
stern look she saw in his eyes. and II
drew her first ialsehood TO him from her
lips.
YES" she answered.
He stopped and kissed her more ten
lerlv
On: now wrong she had been! She
was tempted to 90 to him and creep into
his arms and beg him to forgive her,
but she remembered Mrs. Blessington's
advica.
IN make 1t up TO you, my CARING.
Believe me, did not ask it without good
ause."
She stood quite still after he he bad
left her She was half tempted yet to
,bey him; but-pshawl what nonsense
It was!
So, at o'clock, the carriage stood at
the gate.
"You have enjoyed your evening,
uadam," he said when she had return
ed. "You had for II the relish Of your
hlsehood this morninx"
Yes, she said, Il had chai ming
time; but l am sleepy now. Good night.
am going TO bed"
She turned to leave the room; but In
one stride he was beside her, and held
her arm in q grip OF steel.
Coward, you hurt mel" she said in
sudden anger.
He dropped her arm then as though
she had stung him.
You meant that word-yon have
ceased 10 love mel Why did you dis
obey, me, Grace?"
Because do not choose to be slave
to your caprice-because 1 have had my
way all my life, and intend to have it,
And l say you shall not have il.
Choose between Mrs. Blessineton and