The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-03-22
THE OLD STORY.

Window bright face in the street. The
window is thrown open, and smile goes
from the bright face to the sober one,
giving it new and pleasanter aspect =
Both faces are young-that at the window
Youngest; almost chiid-like. Yet the
window-face is the face of q wife. and the
street-face that of maiden, " fancy-free. "
How strangely / was deceived. Bel
la J" said the lady in the street. F
"Deceived How Maryp What do
you mean? But, come in, YOU are inst
the one / wish to see."
81 was sure saw you, not ten minutes
ago, riding out with Harry" said the
young friend, as they met and kissed at
the door. n
"Oh, dear, no 1 haven't been out
riding with Harry for month" x \.
"Indeed! How is thatP | can re-
member when you rode out together al
most every afternoon"
eyes; but that was before our mar
riage," replied the young wife, in voice
that made her friend look into her face
narrowly.
"The husband has less time for recrea-
ton than the lover. He must give more
thought to business" remarked the friend.
a~ The little wife tossed her head and
shrugged her shoulders in doubtful way,
saying, as she did so
q" don't know about the business. But
lovers and husbands are different species
of the geaus homo. The explanation
lies somewhere in this direction. | pre-
sume."
"Ah, Bella, Bella! That speech does
NTH a j e.
lips" remarked the friend, smiling yet Sc
rious.
"Truth is not always melodious, )" said
Bella
How is it to sweethearts and wives ?''
asked the friend "do they belong to the
same CLASP"
The question appeared to reach the
young wife's ears with suggestive force.
Her voice was a little changed as she an
swered:
81 don't know; perhaps not % r
Then, after moment, she said {: "And
you thought it was Harry and l that you
saw riding out?"
Il was certain of it; but, it only goes
to show how one may be mistaken"
The friend had been scanning the young
wife for some moments, from head to foot.
in a way that now called out the ques-
ton:
"Do you see anything peculiar about
me ?"
"Yessn, ss, Yas answered.
GA peculiar untidiness that never saw
in the sweetheart"
Bella glanced down at her soiled and
ruffied dress.
"My neglige ?" she said, with little
short laugh.
$50 should think Now shall draw
your picture p
Yes, if you have an artists fancy"
"Here it is Hair lusterless and untidy;
skin dull for want of action and feeling;
a wrapper better conditioned for the
washing-tub and ironing-table, than as a
wife; no collar nor ornament of any kind
and a countenance-well, can't give
it as l saw it little while ago, at the
window, but I'm sure it wasn't the face
to charm lover. Perhaps it might suit
a husband-but l have my doubts.
"Why, Mary! You are in sportive
mood'
"No; serious. How do you like the
picture? Let me compare it with the
original. Fairly reproduced, believe
| hardly think yon were in this trim when
Harry fell in love. But it may all be well
enough for husband. have no expe-
rience in this line, and can't speak by the
card"
Bella felt the reproof Of her friend, as
was evident by the spots that began to
burn on her cheeks. II
"You wouldn't have me dress in party
style every day?" she said. II
"Oh, no; but I'd have you neat and
sweet, as young wife should always be |;
that is, if she cares for the fond eyes of
her husband. verify believe it was
Harry saw out riding little while ago p
Bella threw quick, startled look upon
her friend who, already, half regretted her
closing sentence.
"Why did you say that What did
you mean ?'' she asked.
81 only said it to plague you," answer
ed the friend.
ITO plague me ?"
There was an expression in Bella's face
that Mary had never seen there before. =
Her eyes had grown suddenly Of darker
shade, and were eager and questioning.
Her lips lay closer together there were
lines on her forehead.
"To plague me p she repeated. g. Take
care, Mary"
The friend wished now that she had not
made that suggestion; and yet, since
making it, doubt had reached conviction
in her mind. She was sure she had not
been mistaken as to Bella's husband but
who was the lady with whom she had seen
him riding out /? Bella had said, little
while before, that her husband had moi
driven her out for mouth and yet Mary
felt certain that she had seen him riding
out with lady at least three or foul
times during that period. Should sh'
hide the truth or, trusting to its power
for ultimate good, let il appear !? Ther'
was no time for reflection. She spok'
now, rather from q desire to help hel
friend into better state of perception
than from any clear sight in the matter
"I think" she said, "that having nov
your husband. you have fallen into th
error of thinking that personal attraction
are not needed to hold him by your side
Now, it is my opinion, that if Harry ha'
found you in your present untidy cond
tion-and you are oftenin no better pligh
i'm a single instance before marriage, h