The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-11-29

plumed for fight into this new world OF
union. chance to read these words, do
not mistake me. Love is indeed the CEN
trail figure. Marriage without it IS
desert waste--worss, q bowling wilder
ness, sure death to all our noblest pow
ers and purposes. ''Bear and forbesr,"
are two lions that must guard the gate.
way. Firm Christian principles and
(altough y woman says i'll the power 90
few of US possess, of silence. Not the
snllen silence that refuses speech. while
difusing displeasure and Yankee
spunk" from every pore. Not the silence
OF the wife beaten and abused by brutal
husband. God only knows the myriads
Of these in wretched homes, where the
flend of intemperance rides rampant who
never speak, and who 60 down to silent
graves in voiceless misery. I do.:not
speak to these, but to those who, with
the average man-(our brothers. born
too Of woman, with the same impulsive
natures as our own) would keep the
love and early freshness of their homes
unsullied. Dear girls, in your hands are
the homes of the future. Remember
that to bear is better than to repent, but
il the quick, impatient word be ute red,
"Let not the sun go down upon your
wrath"
These frequent domestic quarrels jar
ing with increasing force against ma
ture like King Hapgood's, could end but
in one way. The loss Of self.respect. at
tendant upon the knowledge of growing
became uncomfortable. His
business trips became more frequent and
OF longer duration. One bright autumn
day comes the news that he has gone
abroad. Every one goes in these days. 1t
passes without comment. This is NJ
ordinary case of ill.treatment and deser-
ton for the divorce courts. None but
the wife knows of the letter stating that
the house, and liberal annual allow
ance, are left at her disposal, and closing
with the cruel words: Past events, Of
which it is useless to speak further, have
convinced me that our marriage was q
mistake, which only time and separation
can make tolerable. There seems to be
no occasion for ostensibly breaking the
tie that binds us in name alone. 1t will
be virtually broken by my departure for
Europe at an early date"
Not one short syllable of regret or COM
fort can she find as in her stunned, half
crazed condition she reads il again and
again. She has told him often that she
was miserable, and wished herself back
In her fathers house.
In blind fit of rage she wished that
they bad never met, and his cold, sar.
castle reply, Here We meet on mutual
ground, madam" had only dashed the
waves to greater fury. But in her wild
est, most passionate moment she had
never dreamed Of this these hideous
words that Knocked her, thrusting the
thing she wished for in her face,
"a gauntlet with gift int
The ample provision was an added bit
terness. Rather would she leave all, and
seek her fathers house, or beg her bread
from door to door, than take penny Of
It,, oat sor ene thing The thing he did
not know-that she had longed to tell
him, but angry. sharp.edged words had
thrust it back, and nov into the shame
and misery OF o divided house was
coming the new life, that should have
crowned and blessed the whole.
Her first wild, woman's impulse was
to follow him, and at his feet pour out
the whole, and beg him to come back.
"Only time and separation can make
tolerable." There was no love in the
words. He would not come, and if he
did, each word and act would be u lordly
concession. That she could not endure,
and it would be but Q repetition OF the
old grievances.
No echo Of her sorrow reached him.
She did not call him back. Lethean
balm sought in the whirlpool of social
gayety would have developed the hard,
defiant side Of her nature, capable Of
much for good or evil. God did not
mean it 40. His arms were round about
her, and in those lonely hours Of en-
forced quiet that followed, there came q
clear vision OF opportunities wronged
and neglected. The love that had been
crowded ont and trampled upon came
back in tidal waves, beating down the
barriers, "ornshing the serpent's head, !"
in those days4o pain and weakness after
the baby camA. Then one little message
went across the see. king, dear, for
give; We want you, Baby and l."
His was slow, white anger that burns
long and deep; but he, too, hid found
much time and food for reflection. Men
tally comparing many . famous foreign
beauty with his quesnly wife, he found
none fairer than the woman he had left
90 cruelty. Scenes grow clearer viewed
from distance. Oil paintings and our
lives have that in common. But she had
accepted the situation without word mo
doubt glad Of the release. and he was
not the man TO retract. So he Quieted
his conscience in it moments 81 uneasy