Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-09-16
, A. WIFE'S CONFESSION.

people do; so in this respect am
neither better nor worse. No, I cer-
taiply di6 not marry for love; I believe
l married our rector, Mr.. Cartwright,
simply, because he asked me.
i ought to have been very happy, for
he was most devoted husband, but l
was not, and though I did not notice it
then, I know now that for the first six
months after our marriage he was not
happy either.
One morning about that time he told
me at breakfast that he intended leaving
me alone ior few weeks, to stay with
his mother, who was not very well. He
watched the effect of this announce
ment on me, but, though was really
displeased, I concealed my annoyance,
and asked carelessly, when he would
start
He replied, the next day, if had no
objection, and so it was settled.
He was more affectionste than usual
that day, and / was colder than ever ;
once alluded to his journey, and that
was to ask if I might have my sister
Maud to stay while he was gone.
The next morning I was anxious to
avoid formal parting, so drove to the
station with him; as the train moved
off l remembered this was our first part
ing since our marriage, and wished I
had not been so cold.
When got home the house looked 81
dreary and empty, and there was no one
omeet me. Every room seemed empty,
and each spoke of the absent master
at last 1 wandered into his study, where
he spent his mornings, and liked me to
sit and work /; and now I remembered
how often had excused myself, saying
i preferred the drawing room, and thi
reflection did not add to my happiness
"a. Itwas full of little remembrances O
me, and everything l looked at re
minded me of his goodness to me. ant
of my coldness and ingratitude to him
At last l went to bed, where, afte
working myself into fever Of anxiet.
lest he should not have reached the enc
of his journey in safety, 1 at lepgtl
cried myself into restless sleep.
The next morning I went down t,
breakfast with heavy heart, for I knew
I could not hear from him till the mex
day. My plate. for the first time sine
my marriage, was empty, as l sat dow
to breakfast, for my husband, who wa
ali early riser, always had little bon
quet to greet me with every morning
frequently ] forgot all about it, and lei
it to be put into water by the servant
this morning would have treasured
most carefully, il he had gathered it.
After breakfast determined to arous
myself, and go and visit some of th
poor people of the villege, so / file
my basket with some little delicacit
for the sick, and set out.
Wherever I went it was the sam
story; all held forth on my husband
goodness and kindness, for all had bee
helped by him in some way or othe
and all loved and respected him. As
listened, with burning cheeks, felt
if was the only person on earth wi
had treated him with cruel ingratitud
and 1 was the very person whom he hf
most loved and cherished.
When Maud arrived in the afternoo
! treated her to long TRADE OF abu
against mother-in-laws in general, al
my own in particular and ! vented
the anger really felt against myse
on the innocent Mr.. Cartwright.
In fact, Nelly" said Maud, 81 b
lieve you are SO much in love with yo
husband. that you are jealous even of |
q mother; and you're making yours
miserable about nothing. Why, n
Cartwright will be back in fortnigl
and I dare say you will get letter FRI