Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-07
Mr.. C0NWAY'S FIRST WIFE.
Amy Randolph.


front OF the FIRE, and n Maltese kitten fast
sslsep on tho little vines OF trJwn moss
that constituted the pattern OF thu thtee
ply ca pct. The tab ., ready spread ini
the evening meal, was rasplendent 10
rnSwy damssk, translucent china, aud
glass clear ss crystal, while, Just 10 II q
centre, bouqust OF late blossomod ros,s,
fringed With isashetly gsrsnium leaves,
gave touch OF exquisite retirement to
the whole.
"There |" said Mrs, Grove Conway,
giving the cloth little pull to one side,
and setting a gersnium leaf dexterously
in its place, ''now we're all ready -
She was not alone. A plump, ainpled
damsel of four or five aud twenty aat by
the fire with a cashmere shs drac
round her shoulders, and drit Of I'm.
and white wool by courtesy oi!l.d Il i.
ting" in her lap; and to her Mrs
Conway was enacting the part OF
bospitaols hostess, with pretty, caressing
esgerness.
'Seven O'Clock, he'll soon be home,
now" said Mrs. Conway, glapcing de-
murely at the fat faced old cleok that
occupied the post of honor, between two
china vases on the mantel
"Your husband, Fanny :"
"oi course; whom else should be
talking about ~
Miss Benhsm smiled roguishly into
her knitting.
''Is he very nice, Fan 7 Tell me about
lin"
"Well," said Mrs. Grove Conway, pat
ting her foot rtfsctively on the topmost
bar of the fender aud looking into the
fire, the's good deal older than | am
20 years, ,perh ps-but don't miud that;
you soon get used to it, you seq. Aud
he has dark eyes and hair--a little bald
just on the crown OF his head, but one
don't notice it muoh--and he wears
speotacles--"
"Dear me % said Mics Benham limo
Gently, 'he must sesm more like youl
father than your husband 70
Rachel, how can you 2" dashed Mrs
Conway. $50 kind as he l., 700 "
''And is it really nicer TO bs married
tnan to 60 out as daily governess l'
'Of course it is. What q ridiculous
question to ask, !" said the little mstron
And Rachel Benham smiled again sh,
could net help it. -.-e...
"And | suppose, like most husbands
Fanny, he is all perfection no faults
eh H''
"Y-yes," hesitated Fanny, the smal
foot coming to an abrupt stand. still. '
think he has one fault-only one, yot
know, Rsohie."
'0nly one And that 30 H.
The tears were suffusing Mrs. Con
ways blue eyes, and :he color ascendec
In crimson fiuttering pennons to he
cheek.
''I-that-is Oh, Rachie, should b
so happy, II it only wasn't for that Bu
sometimes l almost think | will rul
away -
"My darling Surely he has no dissi
psted habits 70
''No; it isn't that-it.-''
She stopped suddenly brushing ava,
the tears with quick, instructive mo
tion and began to busy herself with tn
little tea kettle that was singing it
peaceful madrigal on the fire.
Hush, Rachie, hear him coming =
Slowly and surely the heavy, compose,
footsteps assembled the stairs, one by one
with recurrence of sound that wa
actually methodicsl.
"A fussy old bachelor of fellow
know it by his tootstep," cemmepc, B,
Miss Benhsm to herself. "Keeps his collar
in one corner OF his bureau drawer, an
looks at his watch before he sneezss
Poor little impulsive Fan"
And as Mrs. Conway introduced
solemn, middle-aged man in green spec
tacles and snuff colored gstsrs as I'm
husband" Rachel's keen eye read Mi
Grove Conroy's character at glance
wants to be put down, was he
rigorous enough for such an old Turk,
'Happy to see you, Miss Bepham,
sail Mr.. Conway, stify inelining hi
head. my slippers, Fanny "
"Slippers, dear In one moment.
forgot where put them"
"FOrgot' The msjestical brow dark
ened omniously. amy first wife nsve
forgot. "A place for everything and any
thing in its place, waa my frat wife
motto"
Fanny's cheek ormsoned, but she di
not reply save by placing the slippers O.
the hearth-rug before her lord an
master. Rachel knit wool witlout wer
or sigD.
''Mr. Preschwells called to see me a
the store to-day my DEAR re. a med Nj
Conway, as hts wife began to srrsug
the tea equigsge. 81 ain varv sorry |
learn that you are unwilling TO lndertak
tract district, and class in tls Rage
School"
''IDdeed, Grove, havs not time,
meekly pleaded Fanny. Mr., GrOv
trowned auo shook mis- head
My first wife never complained
want Of time. She never shfa-k from a
appointed task; but I'll ere a.s 'ew wone
like my Sarah. This "a ia very EN- *,
my dear"
''0n the contrary, l think it yer
nice" retorted Mrs Conway, begiunin
to lose a fraction of her endurance
81 am sorry to hear you speak
sharply, Fanny" reproved her hushsn,
bringing the green spectscles TO bei
upon his wiie's flushed face. My Sara
had the temper ot an angeI-no!hies ev
disturbed her equanimity | wish, Il
dear, you were little mora like my fir
wife. Another biscuit, il you please, "
Fanny extended the plata in si,en
but Rachel saw the msnts! struggle il
piled in her compressed lips and dow
cast eyes.
BY the way, Mrs. Conway, r-s7m-
the husband alter momentary ie7ottt
to the edibles, ''hsve you menir1 tn
waistooat ~
"Not ye., Grove; intended to-
"Not-m-nded-uly Up,
my word Mrs Conway, this ia ve
singular delay on your part How u
like my first wife She n-vsr neglect
my happiness, She was always read
with watchful tenderness, to anticipa
my slightest wish. II ever there was
model to the sex, it was my Sarah ("
Rachel looked sttentively a. Mr., Co
way.
when did the first Mrs Conway d
sir ~
The green spectacles slowly t7ru
round toward Miss Beuham's seat
g 1t is now, my dear you lg lady, sbo
six years since Israh lett ne
''Indeed ? And suppose you L
queptly avail yourself OF the me,sucho
pleasure afforded by visit TO her Ii
resting place. Where is she buried -
Mr.. Grove Conway looked Rach4 Il
in the face, as il rather surprised at i
sudscity ia venturing to ask snch
question. -05- ....
my Sarah WAS taken away from me
the rural solitudes OF village tsrm
Park Corners, Miss Bsnham Ahsm-
you please, We will discuss this pain
subject no longer-it can only harr
feelings that are already iucrsdlt
sensitive. Conld but sse Fauny lit
more similar to the dear vanished sai
think | should have nothing else i-ft