Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-04-17

done so, Helen would have tried, as
every good wife should, to conform
herself more to his tastes and wishes.
But he was a silent, moody sort of a
man when things did not go just to
suit him, and instead of speaking out
plainly, brooded over Helen's faults
and worried himself into fits of i'll
humor. And what was worse than
all, grew at length Indifferent to his
home and wife, and sought pleasant
er surroundings and more attractive
company abroad.
tsEvery man thus estranged from
his home is in danger, and Harding
was no exception to the rule. Temp
tatlon lay about his feet-and the
commonest temptation of the elegant
ly fitted up billiard and drinking sa
loon.
They had been married just about
as long as you and John have been,
when the catastrophe of their lives
took place. [ had called to spend
the day with Helen, and found her
in her usual condition of untidness
and disorder. When her husband
came at dinner time, | noticed with
painful concern that he had been
drinking not very freely, but just
enough to show itself in captious
ill humor. Helen had not dressed
for dinner, but presented herself at
| the table without even clean collar,
and an old faded shawl drawn about
| her shoulders. She looked anything
but attractive.
Il saw her husbands eyes glance
| to her across the table with an eX-
preston that chilled me. 1t was a
hard, determined expression. He
was scarcely civil to me, and snapped
his wife sharply two or three times
during the meal. At it's close he left
the table without a word and went up
| stairs.
"What is the matter with John, "
L asked.
''Dear above knows" answered
Helen. "He's been acting queer for
a good while. l can't imagine what's
come over him."
''Does he come home this way Of
ten," asked.
Eyes, he's moody and disagreed
BILE as he can be most of the time.
I'm getting dreadfully worried about
it,
"As we talked we heard John mov-
ing about with heavy footballs in the
rooms above. Presently he came
down and stood for a little while in
the hall at the foot of the stairs, as
if in hesitation. Then he went tc
the street door, and passed out and
shut it hard after him.
"Helen caught her breath with 9
start, and turned lattle pale.
'.What's the matter?'' / asked
seeing the strangeness of her look.
Il don't know" she replied, in ;
choking voice, laying her hand at th'
same time on her breast, ssbut fee
as if something dreadful was going
to happen"
''She got up from the table anC
drew my arm around her. /, too
felt sudden depression of spirits
We went slowly up to her chamber
where we spent the afternoon ano
then | took upon myself the office o
a friend and talked seriously to m
cousin about her neglect of persona
neatness, limiting that the cause O
her husbands estrangement fror
home, and altered manner toward
!; herself might all spring from thi
cause. She was a little angry wit
me at first, but l pressed the subjeC
home with tender seriousness tina
did the work of conviction, and a
the evening drew on, she dressed hel
[ self with neatness. With a fres
ribbon tied in her hair, and color
, little raised from mental excitement
t she looked charming and lovable. II
could not help being charmed bac
3 into the lover L was sure. But h
not come home to tea. We waite
for him an hour after the usual time
l and then sat down alone; but neitl
q er of us could do more than sip a Ii
tie tea.
II went home soon after, with
e pressure of concern at my heart fc
g which | could not account. A
/, night | dreamed uncomfortab
j, dreams. In the morning soon aft,
: breakfast | ran over to see Helen.
found her in her room sitting in h
: night dress, a picture of despair.
p "What is it?" / asked eagerl,
i "What has happened?" 2"
''She looked at me heavily, lii
g one not yet recovered from tt
| shock of stunning blow"
Il Dear cousin What is the ma
e ter?' / said.
). II now saw by a motion of h
it hand that it held, tightly clutched,
IS piece of paper. She reached it
me. 1t was letter and read:
t. 1--WE cannot live happily toget
| er, Helen. You are not what l b
lieved myself getting when we we
married-not the sweet, lovely, 10
d able girl that charmed my fancy al
E. won me from all others. Alas f
both that it is so There has been
4. shipwreck of two lives. Farewell
/ chan naror ratIIrp