South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-12-09
A NICE LITTLE GAME.

rIahA SAT- Dcs'ue Tue glowing gru1o,
his feet on one corner of the nianteI.
his chair tipped back. His youn 2
wife looked at him, and her pretty
black eyes, which only a minute be.
fore had been brim-tulI of tears. emit.
ted sparks of fire. Her rosy mouth
closed with firm expression, and her
dainty foot came down upon the rug
IN a very decided manner.
Il won't stand i, she said .,,der her
breath. Il can't-'twill kill me to
see him night after night besotted. de-
graded, running both body ard soul.
l must do something. l must save
him for my baby's sake =
Then she sat down and redi,atcd
They had been married little over
TWO years, and the babe i'm the psetty
cradle was thriving boy. No hapoie.
woman than Dolly the world held. but
for one thing. Her husband would
drink. He loved Lis social glass, his
wine suppers, and club dinners. He
did not neglect his wife, but often
came home in the small hours i'm a
rather unsteady condition.
Dolly tried everything-tears, en-
treaties, persuasion-but he only
laughed her off.
where's the harm, Dolly? Can't q
fellow be merry now and then with
his old friendsl'
But Dolly saw the evil growing up
on him day by day, and she knew
what the end would be.
This evening, as she thought of IL.
she shuddered, and her eyes filed
with tears, but the minute after they
Hashed fire, and she smiled.
'I'll try it, she said to herself; sif
1t does no good it can't do much
HARM Then she said, .Fsankp
Her husband rose, and opening his
eyes with an imbeci!e stare, replied
'All right. Dolly
Frank, you believe that q wife
should follow her husbands footsteps,
don't your
TO he sure. You arc n sensible
woman, Dolly
'And yon are sensible man, Frank.
What is right for you to do, is right
for me to do, isn't it?'
Precisely Just 50, Dolly-exactly.
You are wise woman, you are.'
Dolly smiled quietly.
Very well, Frank If you go to
the tavern any moro nights, I'm go.
ing too
Her husband looked up. half sober
Nonsense, Dolly he said; .that is
rnniilng the thing into the ground.
You will do no such thing
You'll see that will, Frank she
said resolutely. Il love you, and
what you do ! shall do too. IF you
see tit to ruin yourself soul and body.
and shame your son, shall follow
your example. l care for nothing
that you cannot share. AS YOU do,
so will l.
His cheek paled, his lip quivcred.
lie sat silent fora minute, & then got
up and said:
Nonsense, little one! Come to
bed
She followed him obediently, and
no more was said on the subject. For
three or foGr nights Frank came
homo punctually, and then his Id ha-
bit mastered him.
Dolly had las supper ready and his
slippers and dressing gown before the
tire. buthe did not come. She waited
patiently till ten o'clock, then, putting
u wrap about her she called the house
maid.
SIT by the baby's crib, Mary, and
when Mr.. Mayfair comes tel! him I
have gone to the Reindeer Ask no
questions and take good care Of the
baby, and you shall have a dollar ex.
ira this month";
Very well, man, with wonder
ing stare.
Twelve o'clock l--ono and the
young husband lot himself in with a
night key, and came reeIing into the
sitting-roorn, and there sat the maid
beside the sleeping child.
Frank looked about him cnYiously.
'Ah, fast sleep? Fine little fel-
lowP he said, bending over tho crib.
Mary, my girl, where's your mistress
gone TO bedP
20, sir, she's gone TO the Reindeer
Hotel
lie stood and stared.
w bat do you say, grip
She went out at ten, sir, and bado
me tell you when you came that she
had gone TO the Reindeer
The young husband stifed someth-
ing Ike an oath. and sat down before
tie hearth. Half an hour went by.
then nc started up and glanced at the
clock.
Great heavens T. is nearly two
now, aud she is not here =
He seized bis hat and rushed from
the house like one mad BY the time
Inc was hallway to the Reindeer he was