Fair play., 1882-12-16
THE TWO WIVES.

THE TWO WIVES.
(which shall il bc3''
The speaker was scarce more than
thirty wears old, full OF health and vigor.
the Junior and working partner in an
old established business house ina small
city.
1t was Sabbath evening. His wife
had been playing the piano. and he had
been singing the Sunday-school hymns
with their children Of seven and five
years old They were pretty, affection
ate. bright children, and the parents
hearts had been knit closer to them
these last few weeks, since the toddiing
wee one had been laid. in a tlOwer-iilled
casket, beneath tive cold white snow.
Sunday was not dav of sacred rest,
but an oif-,lav from business and care,
and Mr.. Brooks lay back in his lOung-
ing-chair. put aside the magazine he had
been reading. while his wife put the
children to bed. and resumed the sub
ject on which they had been talking the
most of the day.
'.rhc Baldwin house," she answered,
with smile-just the smile woman oi
tact wears when she wishes her his-
bands affection to bias his judgment.
Mr.. Brooks whistled minute.
IF we take the Elmore cottage, can
pay down for it, Our furniture will be
enough for it. and we can live nicely
and plainly without going into debt one
dollar. and five years hence l can buy
any place in town"
People like Mr.. Baldwin do not die
every five years, and places like hrs are
not thrown into the market once IN
twenty-five years.
NJ can build house"
~But nv dear husband. not at hall
cost. And it would take lifetime to
grow such trees. 1t is a most beautiful
place, and in most perfect repair"
81 know all that. 1t is much better
worth its price than the Elmore cottage
is worth its price. But l do hate deD'
and mortgage. But perhaps. as you
say, the reduced price ought to decide
it."
81 am sure it ought, and we will
make the old furniture do for a time.
The rooms are much larger. and our
carpets are not India-rubbcr.'
II have thought of that. can make
the best of the carpets into mats, anu
with a playful smile. Imagine them
Turk ish rugs
lyon are such shrewd manager.
can paw for the house soon, he sad.
And the house was bought. Onc-thir''
paid down. and twO-thirds on mort
gage Wise business men congratulate
MIR Brooks, rs the place was sold belo"
its value. for the heirs We're not near oi
kin, and did not wish it. or the care OF
it.
And now Mrs. Brooks was happy
Her early home had been one o
large wealth, and she loved style, ant
was used To and fitted for gay society
But her father speculated in stocks ant
went down. He moved to his native
town and hired Il cottage Just out OF TN
city But the disappointed man BRAN
gave way, and the two lone women. II
the new circumstances and surround
inms. We're so brave. and watched ovei
the paralytic so unmurmurinTiy, tina
all hearts sympathized with them, an'
Brooks, then only trusted clerk. dare'
offer and was thanked for many
thoughtful and delicate kindness. An'
when death relieved the watched-ove
ard the watchers he had won the love
he had crayed.
In that cottage they sat tonight
Eight wears they hal been happy in IT
Three lives had come 10 it. The grand
mother ani the little one had gone on
from it. Thus they had known joy an'
sorrow. but they had been content. a
one is content who feels that every 10
morrow will be brighter than to-day.
The looked for tomorrow had nov
come And the early days came bacI
70 Mrs. Brooks with Il force she ha,
thought all spent.
One parlor was closed. A new ricl
carpet was bought for the other. and tn
paintingS, books, statuettes, and bric-a
brac which the refined taste Of Mr.. hin;
had selected when rich. and which pow
erty could not take from him. hut whic
in the small rooms of the cottage ha
needs been scattered. Were brought to
cether in it. ana gave the elegant roor
n tone and air of refinement which mer
wealth had never given ii.
The first evening that they sat in
Mr.. Brooks. with a keen enjoyment
life's luxuries such as he had never bs
fore known. said:
Liam glad l bought this place. l di
not know we had so many elegant thing
until Your artistic taste brought thel
together. This is the finest room in th
city
Il have no doubt it is. / have trie
to arrange ii as my father had his librar,
/ wish he could see it.
Perhaps he does. That cottage W,
nice TO me, but how meagre il mus, hay
been to You, and yet vou never con
planned"
And new appreciation OF and ne
love for her sprang up II his heart. an
they talked on and on in theic great co,
ten, and happiness.
- Society swung open its doors. an
calls and invitations came upon then
More dress was needed. taxes and in>u
ance were high, interest TO be paid. an
business everywhere depressed, and Il
two years the debt lay unchanged.
There had been no loss Is men con-
los. and Yea there had been great los
that debt, which ut first lay 50 heavy 0
Mr. Brooks. ami which he intended !
lift as soon As possible, he had growD Use