The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-30
CHAPTER II.
THE TOWN NOTICE

in the hearts of Mrs. Maria and Rose much
envy and uncharitableness.
CHAPTER II.
THE TOWN MOUSE.
Metamorphosed from a gawky country
girl into an elegant-millinered LondoI
BELIEF felt of infinite Importance, but sen
sibly refrained from assuming any airs OF
graces, confessing myself, after all, but 6
very plain cav in peacock plumage.
Lady Janet had a handsome house in
Mayfair, and was one Of the leaders of the
fashionable world; and so l, fresh from a
country village, found myself expected tc
ape the manners of the upper ten" Well
labored hard, and succeeded to Aunt
Janet's satisfaction. | believe the queer
old lady had conceived a real fondness for
her blunt, unpromising protege; at any
rate, we got on famously together, and nc
word was ever said of my returning to the
old way of life.
Discovering my talent for woodworking
and after a caustic reading of some of my
productions, and much cutting and pruning
of my tender shoots, the old lady had a
book of mine published and was. fully as
proud as | was when it turned out a sue
cess.
Talking with me about it before it came
out, she remarked that, ''for a novice, | was
very confident" And in answer | told
her 81 felt successful" She agreed with
me that there was great deal in that.
had numerous suitors, in fact, | might
even have been termed something of a flirt,
since out of them all | could not find my
fate.
One night at the theater there came into
Lady Janet's box a gentleman, who was
presented to me as her nephew, DR.. Nal
colin Ponsonby, a distinguished physician,
though his age could not have exceeded six
and thirty. He had plain clever face,
fine inquiring eyes, and the figure of a
Hercules. His manner struck me as being
cold, somewhat stern, and just trifle
masterful. On the whole, | liked him,
though, because he had sense to pay me
the compliment of talking to me like a
reasonable fellow-creature.
He had read my book, he said, with a
winning smile, and thought that between
the lines he read the promise of greater
things. He did not seem a great fayorite
with Lady Janet, with whom he argued
and contradicted in manner hardly re-
spectful.
After that night Malcolm came often to
visit us, and [ met him besides at dinner.
ball and kettledrum. There grew between
us great friendship, which, in course Of
time, ripened into something stronger.
Though each secretly felt the other not well
chosen, we were both too st.abt,ori, and COO
FOND OF holding our own. But love leaps
all barriers, and it was so in our case; we
were betrothed.
When told Lady Janet of our engage
ment she seemed sorry, and asked me very
solemnly if really loved her nephew, and
whether expected to be happy.
For answer told her [ loved him dearer
than life, and was about to paint glowing
picture of our future, when Polly broke in
with SILLY fools, not fit to live! Twist
their necksp'
"Not fit to live together" corrected Lady
Janet. And perhaps she was right.
In the spring we were married, and,
after delicious tour through the Lake
country we settled down in a quiet old
house in Bloomsbury.
Like foolish woman l would not ac-
knowledge l had found my master in the
cold, self-contained man who called me
wife. SO even in our early welded DAYS
there were many struggles for supremacy,
from which my husband always retired
sternly victorious.
Had but known what pain such success
caused him, loving him as truly as [ did. /
might have desisted; but, ah me! | did
not know; | only thought him hard and
cold, when truly he was neither.
One OF our subjects of dispute was my
frequent visits to Lady Janet, who, it must
be confessed, led me into much unwhole-
some gayety. First, he did not like Lady
Janet; secondly, he thought the state of my
health demanded more care than | chose to
give it. Unfortunately he was at the time
unavoidably much from home, which | con-
sldered grievance. Then the house was
dull and L dearly loved gayety, and found
IL, TOO, though 1t was against my husbands
counsel. He insisted | took too little rest
and worked my brain too hard by writing.
would not listen, so arose the rift that
was one day to widen into a great breach
and part us.
At last my splendid health failed, though
L would not own it, and with my health NV
spirits dropped. During the months that
followed Malcolm showed great love and
care for me. Had he ever lost it, he would
have won my heart afresh by his infinite
gentleness.
At Christmas my babe was born, but-O
God! the misery and disappointment =
born dead. | knew my husband felt the
disappointment keenly, though he hid it
through love of me; but in nv selfish sor-
row only felt my own pain.
knew also that in his heart he blamed
me, and that made me the more bitter: for
heard him say to dear old dad, who had
come up to see me: "Phyllis has brought
this disappointment upon us entirely by
ner disregard to my wishes and instruc-
tions. She would not be persuaded to take
proper care. She is so head strong"
"Ay, ay," answered dad, mildly, 1--WE all
have our faults; and Phyl, though she is a
true good girl, is not more free than the
rest OF u.s."
A few days later my husband told me he
mad invited Rose to come and STAY with MS
for few months. / was very angry that
he had not consulted me, and told him so
in very ill-judged words; and he left me.
Tor the first time since our marriage, with.
out kiss of peace. cried out in nv pain
that he did not love me, and thousand
other foolish things.
was quite upset at the idea of Roses
visit IN my then state of wretchedness and
lll-health. felt that her ceaseless babble
and ever-present smile would fairly mad.
den me. desired only to be left alone to
come back TO my own gay self.
But even while l dreaded she came.
sleek and fair as ever, full of pretty bah,
bling talk and silvery laughter-a striking
contrast to my sombre self.
The first night she was with us my hus-
band remarked it, saying:
u would give something, pet. to see Won
looking bright and happy, like Rose"
turned my face to the wall and cried
for my husbands approval was still dear
TO me, though was too stupidity proud To
seek it,, So we let the golden chain of life
slip link by link between our fingers, never
missing their brightness till they were be.
yOnd recall "