The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-04-24
STORY FOR NEGLECTED.
WIVES

WIVES.
"Nc Lucv. never make love snatch 3"
said young Mrs strong To an old school
friend who was paying her an afternoon
visit. Marry tor money, for interest.
for anything bn; love have tried that
and made a failure, such Is il would break
my heart to see you make.
Lucy Moore listened intcntly, with Il
thoughtful shadow on her Young face
" Is il indeed truo:" she said. 81
gri"vc to hear it. How | remember your
wcdIing DAY, Mary How bright and
noble be looked, How BRIGHT ana happy
were Won. OH he loved you then,
surely !"
" lie thought he dil, arl 50 dill t."
said Mrs. Strong, with hali-chokrl sob
" But it did not last long, Lucy. We
have been married just two years to-day.
He will remember the day. He lcn M
this morning without Z KS. rs lie cuSually
does. He will com" 10 dinner in the
sam" way, and after il IS oyer he will 60
ont to his club or some other place an,
never come holur anti aft CT have gone
to bed And vet ! have been .sond.
faithful aud carelu. Wilr and his is my
reward"
She hid her fare IN her hands a. -bc
spoke. Lncy Moore h.a' over her a".i
whispered,
(" IN every way save one, my dear
Mary
Mrs. Strru" looked up
What 10 you mrau p
g Promi-r not to ." an ~ and wl}j
tell YOU
&" Go on.
"Yonr husband aS voung man was
very fond of Music 10 you eyer play or
sing to him Of an evening now -
son, no; We gave that NJ long ago.
:" But why -
I'm sure l can't tell. Ii was such a
bore to practice.
"Do you read to him OF hlyr him read
to you:"
no, used to: but somehow that is
given up, too
8" Anl your dress; shall you change it
before he comes to dinner -
Mrs Strong shook h~r laa,l ~ho wore
a dingy, llouncrd dclainc, no collar or
cuffs, and her hair was rough and untidv:
her whole look one Of carcle>SnrSs.
He wonld rot notice it if | did.
Where is the use, Lucy? Il is all too
late
"No, it is not too late; but it may be
soon," said Lucy, earnestly. MARY,
some one ought to tell you No one
dares to but me. Your husband does not
90 to his club of an evening. He goes
to Mrs Wylcs. You know her Mary,
she is a dangerous woman. She lives but
for admiration, and that She means to
have. Your husband gives her admra-
tion now; take care he gives hcrno more
his love"
Mrs. Strong burst into tears
"What can | do" she asked 81
know that woman too well What
chance have against her -
Give yourself a chance" said Lucy,
with a kiss. Let your husband find q
pleasant home from Il wife neatly dressed.
Mary. forgive the hint You have beauty
and grace. DO not neglect them longer
Charm and iascinatc him. You have
done it once. Try again"
She stole softly from the room 1t had
not been pleasant lesson to receive; il
might not have been pleasant one to
give; who shall say: Eut Mrs. Strong
was sensible rs well as a pretty woman,
and five minutes after Lucy Moore had
gone she went up to her own room, ac-
knowledgng that her friend had spoken
but the truth.
That evening, Just after the street
lamps were lighted, Mr.. Strong came
carclessly toward home. Carclcsslv ::
Yes, that was the word That house was
fast becoming to him only \ place to eat,
sleep and dress ln--a place for which he
had to pay rent and taxes, bnt in which
he took no comfort pleasure if the truth
must bc told.
"Ncvcr mind, will 90 to Grace wy
lies as soon as supper is over, and she
will make it up to me, bless her bright
eyes" thought Mr. Strong, rs he opened
the front loor with his key, and strode
across the hall.
Only halfway, however, for there be-
fore him, at the foot of the stairs stood n
gractll, pretty woman, with satin smooth
brown hair and bright blue eyes, and
checks as red rs roses, wearing pretty
evening dress of dark blue silk. and shin
ing ornaments upon her snowy neck and
arms
"Welcomc home, dear James - She
said, with heavenly smile. 1t is the
second anniversary Of our wedding day.
Won't you spend the evening with me,
dear 2"
His only answer was quick embrace
and sudden kiss His eyes were dim as
he sped up stairs to his room to prepare
for supper.
"Brute, fool, that have been :" he
thought to himself.
And after dinner, on the plea Of 4mok-
ing one cigar, he went into Bond street
and returned with apretty gold watch and
chain as present for his wife.
They sang the old songs together that
evening; they talked long time over
the dying fire. All, it was not too late
He loved her still, and she saved him and
their happy home.
The lesson was not lost upon her.
From that day she has never grown care
less-never ceased to keep her husbands
as she once tried to win her lovers love