The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-03-31
z it, doubt had reached conviction in her


ing it, doubt had reached conviction in her
mind. She was sure she had not been mis-
taken as to Bella's husband: but who was
the lady with whom she had seen him rid
ing out? Bella had said, little while be-
fore. that her husband had not driven her
ont for a month; and yet Mary felt certain
that she had seen him riding ont with a lady
at least three or four times during that pc
Rod. Should she hide the truth; or trust
ing to its power for ultimate good, let it ap-
pear? There WIS no time for reflection.
She spoke, now, rather from desire to
help her friend into better state of per-
ception, than from any clear sight in the
Matter.
Il think" she said, "that having now your
husband, YOU have fallen into the error of
thinking that personal attractions are not
needed to hold him by your side. Now, it
is my opinion that if Harry had found you
in your present untidy condition--and you
are often in no better plight-in single
instance before marriage he would have
broken off the engagement; and I'm sure
that in a suit for breach Of promise, if had
been on the jury, verdict in his favor
woTld have been rendered.
Bella did not smile at this closing sally, but
sat looking into her friends face in strange,
bewildered, troubled way. The intimation
that her husband had been riding out with
a lady, when it fairly reached her thought,
gave her sharp pain. 1t had never en-
tered her i,nagi nation that he could look,
with passing sense Of admiration, into any
face but hers-that his heart could turn
from her to another for single instant of
time. She had perceived that he was cold
er, more Indifferent. less careful Of her
pleasures than in the sunny days of their
courtship and betrothment-bul, that he
could seek another's society, was thing
unheard Of. It was proverb, this contrast
between lovers and husbands; and she had
felt she was proving its truth. That was
all. It was an unpleasant truth, and hard
to receive; yet she saw no remedy. But
now, by a word or two, her friend has start
edher into differentview of the case. Was
her husbands heart really turned from her?
She was frighteneda at the remote suggestion
for in his love lay all her world
"You are not really in earnest, Mary,
about seeing Harry riding out with a lady
this afternoon?" she said IN voice and
with look that revealed fully her state of
mind. The color had left her face, and her
heart shook in her voice.
probably was mistaken, Bella, replied
the friend; though had not doubted the
fact a moment, until I saw you at the win
dow little while ago."
Did you not notice the lady very partic-
ularly?
mo; but lett matterp pass, dear. No doubt
I was mistaken. It is worrying you more
than could have imagined Bella looked
at her friend for some moments in a strange
way, then giving a low, suppressed wai;ing
o,v ho1,t fc7uo I onJ laid bor f,ca 7,,n,p
her bosom, sobbing aud shuddering in such
wild turbn'ance Of feeling that her friend
became actually alarmed.
You have frightened me!' said the
young wife, lifting her head at last, as her
excitement died away. "Ah, Mary, if I
should lose my husbands love. it would
kill me!''
''Then, Bella, answered her friend, "see
to it that you neglect none Of the means re-
q'1ired for keeping it. II you would con-
tinue to be loved, you must not grow I'M
lovely. The charms that won your hus-
band must not be folde.! up and kept for
holiday occasions, and then put On for 9th
er eyes than his. You must keep them ev.
er displayed before him, nay, put on new
attractions. Is not the husband even dear
CT than the lover, and his heart better worth
the holding? Look back, my dear friend,
over the brief moons that have waxed and
waned since you were a bride. Put your
self on trial and take impartial testimony.
How has it been? Has your temper been
as sweet as when you sat leaning together
in summer twi}ights. talking Of the love-
crowned future? Have you been as stadi-
Gus to please as then; as careful of his feel
ings; as regardful Of lis tastes? Do you
adorn yourself for his eyes now, as YOU
~ ccG f,, n1c fho,,9 Ac ia
are you as lovable as YOU We're when maid
en-? Bella, Bella look to the little foxes
that spoil the tender grapes, if you would
have loves ri2ened fruitage. Love is not
a chameleon to feed on air, and change in
every hue of condition. It must have sub
stant;al food. Deprived of this, and it
languishes and dies. And now, dear have
warned you. Meet your husband, when he
returns home this evening, as swoetly as
when he came to you in your fathers house,
attracted as the bee is to the flower, and
Dote the manner in which his face will
tighten up. Did he kiss you when he came
home yesterday"
The face of Bella flushed little.
Husbands soon lose the taste for kiss
ing," she answered, at the same time pat
ting her small foot neryously On the Brus-
sells carpet.
s. If the wifes lips remain as sweet as
the maiden s-never!"
"Oh, you don't know anything about it"
said Bella. Wait until you are married"
After the friend said good afternoon, the
young wife went to her room and cried for
a good quarter OF an hour. Then she COM
menced doing as her friend had suggested.
Refreshed by bath, she attired herself in
a spotless white wrapper. with delicate
blue belt binding her waist. A small lace
collar, scarcely whittier than her pure neck,
edged and tied with 8 narrow azure ribbon,
was turned a ay from her swanlike throat;
and just below was an exquisitely-cut oval