Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-26
GRACE EGERTOE'S LIFE LESSON.

1t was Grace Edgerton's wedding day,
and she stood fully dressed before her
mirror taking one last look, with little
pardonable vanity, at the pretty figure
reflected there.
In another hour she should be Mrs.
Ernest Redgrave. How hard it was to
realize?
She was vain and rather frivolous
girl But deep down in the depth of the
little worldly heart was a 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 a
wife she could be; but there was no oc-
casion for this, and perhaps even Grace
herself did not how how wholly she loved
him. She was a spoiled, petted child,
and that any solemn duties were entailed
in the estate upon which she was just
entering she did not pause to think.
For four weeks she and Ernest travelled
then they came home to their own beau
tiful home-her fathers wedding gift to
her Here a round of festivities awaited
them, so that the young couple for three
months had no single evening to them
selves.
II am tired, Grace. Let us stay at
home tonight, darling," said Ernest one
evening after dinner, as Grace was about
to leave him 10 make her toilet for some
party.
''Ahsurd, Ernest! You're not growing
old already, surely Besides, promised
Mrs. Blessington we would come, and l
cannot disappoint her"
81 don't like Mrs. Blessington. wish
you were not so intimate with her; and
really my head aches tonight. Stay at
home, like a good little girl
For a moment Grace wavered. She
looked within the library, which seemed
so warm and inviting. She could fancy
Ernest stretched on the sofa, while she sat
beside him bathing his forehead with
some fragrant cologne, and thought what
a coy, sweet evening they might have.
Then she remembered something that
Mrs BlesSington had said about spelling
men, and how easy 1t was to begin, and
how selfish they grew
1t was well enough for Ernest to spoil
her. That was to be expected; but as to
spelling him-no indeedl So she ran on
up the stairs, calling back over her Shout
der as she went:
"Come Ernest, we've got no time to
lose; and as to that horrid prejudice of
yours, do try and get over it."
There came temptation to the man
temptation to carry out his own manly
will; but softer, tenderer feeling crept
over him as a mental vision of the pretty,
laughing face passed before him; and half
an hour later he stood in full dress wait
ing the advent of the beautiful girl, who
all unconscious to them both, was steer
ing her frail vessel on the quicksands of
domestic misery.
A year passed, and Mr.. and Mrs Red
grave were still IN the gay vortex of
fashionable life; but to the mans spirit it
had grown unutterably wearisome.
81 married for a home, Grace,' he said
one day, in gentle expostulation; "but
what do see of my homer
"Quite enough to satisfy a reasonable
man. Why, shouldn't want to be here
alone with you all the time, Ernest Just
think how tired we would grow of each
other"
The thoughtless words stabbed like a
knife, but he made them no reply Only
that evening for the first time, Mrs Red
grave went to some gay assemblage alone
Her husband had refused to accompany
her.
II am tired, but Go not let me detain
YOU" he said, Mrs. Blessington is seen
constantly without her husband
Because he is bear" said Grace
poutlng
Nevertheless she went, and after that
it was no uncommon thing for Ernest tc
spend his evenings with his books and
thoughts, while his beautiful young wife
went out alone.
"Grace, wish you would give Mrs
Blessington up he said to her one even
ing as they sat at dinner
''Nonsense, Ernest l cannot do it If
wished it ever so much.''
s'But you must do it, | will not have
you go to that woman's house again.
but Ernest, have already accepted
an invitation to dinner party there fol
Thursday evening"
"Then write and decline. | do not ask
you without good cause, little GIRL but
things have recently come to my hearing
regarding this lady, and l do not wisl
my wife's name coupled with hers
Grace made no reply, but in her owl
heart her decision was unaltered. Be-
gin to yield to a mans whims, and where
should she end? Of course she should
60 She had been married more than ;
year now, and, so far, had always hat
her own sweet will and way.
This time the latter was unexpected,
made easy to her; for, as Ernest kisse(
her good-by on Thursday morning, h
said TO her:
II sha'n't be home to dinner tonight
Grace. You had better dine at mothers
By the way, this was Mrs. Blessington'
night. You have declined that invita-
tion?''
The secret fear she had ever felt O
Ernest crept into her heart at a new ster
look she saw in his eyes, and it drew be
first falsehood to him from her lips
Eyes" she answered.
He stopped and kissed her more ten
derby.
''I'l make it up to you, darling Be
lieve me, did not ask it without goo
cause"
She stood quite still after he had le
her She was half-tempted yet to ODE