The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1882-01-07
LOVERS AND HUSBANDS,
AND swEETHEARTs AND WIVES.
why They do not Belong to the Same Class
"A Story for Married Folks.

A sober, half-discontented face at the win
dow-a bright face In the street The window
Is thrown open, and smile goes from the
bright face to the sober one, giving it a new
and pleasant aspect. Both faces are young,
that at the window youngest; almost child
like. Yet the window face is the face OF a
wife, and the street face that of maiden,
fancy Free
How strangely | was deceived, Bella"
said lady in the stree.
Deceived How, Mary? What do you
mean? But, come in, you're just the one
want to see."
Il was sure | saw you not ten minutes
ago riding out with Harry" said the young
friend, as they met and kissed at the door
way.
''Oh, dear no! l have not been out riding
with Harry for month"
Indeed How's that? | can remember
when you rode out together almost every
afternoon"
Yes, but that was before our marriage"
replied the young wife in a voice that made
her friend look into her face narrowly.
The husband has less time for recreation
than lover. He must give more thought
TO business" remarked her friend.
The little wife tossed her head and
shrugged her shoulders in doubtful way
saying as she did SO:
lovers and husbands are different species of
the genus homo. The explanation lies
somewhere in this direction, presume
'Ah, Bella Bella That speech does not
come with a musical sound from your lips"
remarked the friend, smiling, yet serious.
Truth is not always melodious," said
Bella
How is it with sweathearts and wives?'
asked the friend. do they belong to the
same class"
The question appeared to reach the young
wife's ears with a suggestive force Her
voice was a little changed as she answered:
Il don't know; perhaps not"
Then, after a moment, she said: And
you thought il 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 way that called out the question:
DO you see anything peculiar about
me?'
YES" was answered.
What"
"A peculiar untidiness that / never saw
in the sweetheart?
Bella glanced down at her soiled and
rumpIed dress. -
My negige" she said, with a little
laugh.
so 1 should think. Now, shall draw
your pieture?'
Yes, if you have artists fancy"
''Iiere it Is: hair lusteress and untidy
skin dull from Want OF action and feeling;
wrapper better conditioned for the washing
tub and ironing-taDle, than as the garment
of the fair person of Dung wife; no collar
or ornament of any kind; and a counte-
nance-well / can't give that as / saw it a
little while ago at the window, but I'm sure
it was not the face to charm a lover. Per-
haps ii might suit husband-but L have
my doubts.
why" Mary, You are in a spOtive
mood"
No. serious. How do you like the pic
ture? Let me compare it with the original
Fairly reproduced / believe. l hardly
think that you were in this trim when
Harry fell in love. But it may be good
enough for a husband. | have no expert
ence in this line, and can not speak by the
card"
Bella felt the reproof of her friend, as was
evident by the spots that began to burn OF
her cheeks.
You wouldn't have me dress in party
style every day?' she said.
oh no, butFd have you neat and sweet
as young wife should always be, that Is, 1
she cares for the fond eyes of her husband
j verify believe it was Harry / saw ri ling
out a little while ago."
Bella threw quick, startled look upor
her friend, who already half regretted bel
last sentence.
why did you say that? What did yol
mean?' she asked.
Il only said it to plague you answered
the friend.
ITO plague me?'
There was an expression in Bellas eye
that Mary had never seen before. Her eye:
had suddenly grown of a darker shade ant
were eager and questioning Her lips la.
closer together: there were lines on he
forehead.
ITO plague me? she repeated. lax
care, Nary
The friend wished row that she had no
made that suggestion and yet, since max
ing it, doubt had reached conviction in he
mind. She was sure she had not been mis-
taken as to Bella's husband, but who wa
the lady with whom she had seen him ridin
out? Bella had said little while befOr
that her husband had not driven out for
month"; and yet Mary felt certain that sh
had seen him riding out with lady a
least three or four times during that period
Should she hide the truth or, trusting to 1t
power for ultimate good, let it appear
There was no time for reflection. She spok
now rather from desire to help her frien
into better state OF perception than froI
any clear sight in the matter.
II think" she said that having now you
husband, you have fallen into the error
thinking that personal attractions are III
needed 10 hold him by your side. Now IL
my opinion that if Harry had found you
your present untIdy cOndItion---and you al
often iii no better plight-in single instant
before marriage, he would have broken O
the engagement; and I'm sure that, in su
for breach of promise, il | had been on u
Jury a verdict in his favor would have bee
rendered"
Bella did not smile II this closing sail
but sat looking into her friends face in
strange, bewildered, troubled way. The j
timation that her husband had been ridiI
out with lady, when it fairly reached h
thought, gave her sharp pain. 1t had new
entered her Imagination that he could loo
with passing sense of admiration, into al
face but hers-that his heart could tul
from her to another for single instant
time. She had perceived that he was colde
more Indifferent, less careful of her plea
ures than in the sunny days
their courtship and betrothment; b
that he could seek anothers socie
was thing unheard of. 1t was proven
this contrast between lovers and husband