The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-03-01

doctor, but as he looked at her he saw
that she was fair, gentle, healthy and 26.
"A good, sensible age; must be neat and
orderly" was his verdict. In moment
of enthusiastic devotion she had accepted
him.
They were married. She lived in his
house, she poured out his tea and cof-
fee, she entertained his friends, and
everybody said: ooh, how much nicer
she was than that other woman!" She
was very popular with everybody, but
To him, ''that other woman" was still
all the world and the brightness thereof.
So homeless did he fell in the presence
of this much nicer woman that his visits to
Becky's grave were the only happy
hours of his new life. After while he
became more accustomed to Della, and
then he began to give her frequent lee
lures on Becky. "She" used to say so
and so, she used to do this and that, and
she had been right then, she must be
right now and forever. and in every
thing.
Della had married "from a sense of
duty" and deserved to be punished;
but it seemed to her that her punish
ment was greater than she deserved.
She would not have wished that her hus-
band should forget the wife of his youth
but she had expected that re would
have some regard for the woman whom
he had invited to preside over his house.
hold, and she had hoped to make him
comfortable; to do her duty by him."
as she expressed it. Part of that duty
she had performed in the most admir-
able manner, never had the doctors
house been so clean; never had his shirt
bosoms shone with such lustre; but the
heart which beat behind them she had
been unable to conquer.
Was It her fault? Had she not tried
to be kind, to be patient, to be meek?
Yes, but it was the trying that spoiled it
all and she lacked the sweet boldness
which love alone can give. She was al
most afraid Of that ungracious man, and
she was jealous of Becky, much loved,
happy Becky. At the end of six months
of such a life the doctor noticed that
Della looked pale and thin. "You need
a little more fresh air." he prescribed,
land I shall take you out as often as I
can" Not without some inward fear,
but attired in her very best. Della
sat in the buggy by the side of her lord.
1t was balmy spring afternoon, nature
looked so fresh, SO bright. so happy, that
n llIClo VI t1l16 uopp4AC60 O2CoLACu Al0ClA
into Delia's sad heart The doctor must
also have been touched by these benign
influences, for never before had he been
so kind, so attentive to her, so laxative.
She smiled several times; twice che alb
solutely laughed. She sat little nearer
| to him, her cheeks bloomed and she was
beginning to feel quite comfortable, when,
| as luck would have it, they happened to
ride past very small cottage, SO very
small that Della said. "Oh, look! 1won:
der how people live in such tiny bit Of
The doctors brow grew dark. "In
such house as this" he said in his most
impressive manner; Sin just such house
as this my wife and l lived in the great
est happiness when we were first mar
Had Della been suddenly shifted from
India's coral strand to Greenland's icy
mountains the shock could hardly have
been greater. Ellis wife!' she thought
"then, if she is his wife, what am IT
Peculiar reasoning, perhaps, but Deli!
knew very we'll what she meant. AL
that evening she sat silently sewing ane
answering the doctors remarks, with
primness of dignity that surprised
him. But he asked no question:
and took refuge in thoughts o
the old days when Becky sat in that same
chair, sewing too, but with such bright
loving looks, such an interesting way O
saying things! And now, what q difference
What, in truth, was this woman to HIM
Not a wife, not even a companion, onl!
housekeeper. And he gazed at her re
tlectiyely: It so happened that Della
who had been making desperate efort'
l % \ 0116nA IN
| at that moment and caught the full mean
ing of the doctors eyes. Had he slap
| ped her face she could not have felt i
more, but she gave no sign. With Whit
| fingers that trembled q little she folde<
her work and said, Il am tired, I will &
to my room."
Della did not sleep much that night
Il must leave him" she decided at last
II will not live with him unless an
really his wife. l cannot" Leave him
but how? She could not go back to he
mothers house where questions woult
be asked which she was determined no
to answer: and besides it was too near
Where could she 90? A few hours al
forwards that questioned was answered
She received q letters post-marke'
Denver, Colorado" it cam
from "dear cousin Mamie," and as sh'
read her letter Delia's face frightened
lit is just what I wanted" she said t.
herself.
One evening when the doctor cam
home, Bridget met him at the door ant
said, "Missus has gone, sir; she had to 3
kind OF sudden, but she said she would
write and tell YOU" "All right" an
swered the doctor. "Gone to her moth
er's" he explained to himself. II sur
pose there is some sort of fandango &c
ing on there" He made himself YER
comfortable. It was cool evening, an
he smoked his cigar, and put his feet o
the stove, with mo one nigh to hinder.
But what the doctor really liked was t
be hindered; he enjoyed watching tn
mild shadow OF disapproval stealing owe
Delia's face; if she had frankly an
briskly expressed her opinion, then tai
ing it back prettily, he might have falle
in love with her; but Della always n
lapsed into meekness, and all was lost
As the days passed the doctor began
miss his housekeeper.. "Why does 81
not write? Cold-blooded creaturew
The cold-blooded creature wrote. HI,
, letter was dated from Denver. It said
DEAR S1R-I thought you would be ha
pier without me, SO came here. I am Vi
fting Cousin Mamie. With best wishes
J your happiness, I remain sincerely,
II DELLA BR1Ns1EY.
. "A pretty letter-and dear sir
! mel Gone to Denver! Who could ha,
supposed she had spirit enough for tina
: Little Goose! Gone to Denver, by Jovt
The Doctor laughed, he blessed hin
. self, he was delighted. The next eve
ing he was on his way to Colorado. TIL
same evening, in far off, lovely Denve
Della aud Cousin Mamie were comparil
notes about their husbands. Deli. b,