The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-01-23
The HOmesick Wife.


reason seemed to be because he asked her.
OF course she could not be an old maid
that would be too dreadful-and when he
had been kind enough to make the offer,
could she be 30 ungracious as to say no
Certainly not. She was twenty-three years
old when she first made his acquaintance,
and although a pretty and accomplished
girl, he was her first lover, and when he
made his kindly proposition she said yes
as instinctively as if he had offered her an
oyster patty or strawberry cream. Her
girlhood had been a very happy one, for
she had never been sighted or neglected,
even if she were not a belle and beauty.
She always had plenty of partners to
dance with, and not being Of a jealous
disposition, it did not make her hopeless
" miserable to see other girls more fol
lowed and admired than she was. Then
her home was an unusually pleasant one.
Good tempers ESQ rare and 80 delightfuD
prevailed in the family, and the dreadful
chickering's that SO soon destroy the peace
and affections of all concerned, were sell
dom heard. Cora was the only girl, and
her brothers worshiped her, gratifying,
if possible, her every wish. Her parents
were sensible and judicious. Although
they supposed, of course, that she would
marry some time, they were in no hurry
for such q contamination, and were quite
satisfied to see her, at twenty-three, still
ungathered flower. And when she told
her mother, in such a calm, unimpas-
stoned way, that she was engaged, Mrs.
Blaney hardly knew whether to laugh or
cry. Cora's GOODNESS amused and yet
troubled her, for she dreaded the thought
of surrendering her to stranger, and she
feared that her daughters heart was
hardly interested in the matter at all.
care you sure that you love Henry 2"
she asked the placid looking girl.
"Of course, mamma, l think he is
very nice, and then he loves me so
awfully."
"Do you care more for him than for
anyone else 2"
ayes, indeed. l never thought of mar
rying any other man. / never had a
chance, you know"
"But do you love him better than any
one else in the world ?"
"Better than you, mamma ?"
eyes. my dear"
"Of course not. l never shall love any
one as well as I love you and papa and
the three boys"
"Then, Cora, you do not really care for
Henry, and it is not right for you to
marry him."
"But he is satisfied. He says that
he knows he can make me as fond of him
as he is of me, and he likes me better
because never had any other man max
ing love to me. He says he never could
care for girl who had been engaged three
or four times"
al am afraid, dear, that both you and
he will find that you have made great
mistake"
"You do not want me to be an old
maid, mamma 2"
If consulted my own and your faith
er's wishes should say yes, because we
would prefer to keep you with us; but we
are not selfish enough for that. We know
that you will be happier as married
woman, that is, if you love your husband
but"
"Don't you like Henry ?"
every much; l do not know of mar
more likely to make kind, devoted hus
band. All that surprises me is that yor
do not care more for him."
"But l do like him very much"
And that was all the satisfaction tina
Mrs. Blaney could get. But Cora wa
quite determined to marry Henry, and hi
was just as determined not to give her up
She had taken his fancy completely. In
deed he was desperately in love with her
hoping and believing that she, in time
would care quite as much for him. So a
the end of few months they were mar
ried. They started on the usual wedding
trip, which they both enjoyed exceed
ingly, and after their return they took
pretty, tasteful house, and commences
housekeeping in a very pleasant, cosy way
But, alas it was three hundred mile
away from the home of her girlhood, he
parents, aud her brothers and poor Cora
who had only vague sense of gratitud
and a calm liking rs regarded her hus
band, to weigh against her passionat
love for her family, found herself feelin
strangely lonely and dissatisfied a gres
deal Of the time. Her husband was kline
ness itself he anticipated her every wish
he brought her home lovely bouquets an
delicious candies, but, alas flowers an
candies will not satisfy hungry hear
He stayed with her every evening, when b
QlQ not Jake ner 10 Some SOCIAL gatnerln
or place of amusement, and was AWAY
bright and cheerful and entertaining
He devoted himself to her unceasingl
and wholly indescribable was his disms
when, at the end of one month, she aske
permission to 60 home and stay a week.
"Why, Cora ~ he exclaimed, lookir
grieved and hurt, is it possible that yo
are tired of me already? 2"
"Oh, shall die |" she moaned pitifull
off do not see mamma. l never VI
away from her so long before in all n
life."
"But you are married now, DEAR"
said, kindly and tenderly, and it is We
different"
"Being married does not make n
think the less of her. You did not su
pose that 1 should forget my dear, XIII
parents, did you ?"
"Of course not. You were very fral
with me. never can accuse you of IL
ing TO deceive me. But did hope tn
before this you would have learned to 10
me little. However, go home and ma
your visit; but will you be satisfied
stay only week ?"
"Oh, yes, Harry. am 80 mu
Obliged" and she gave him a kiss viii
brought sad smile to his face as
thought that it was only her delight
leaving him that had caused the lit
demonstration of affection, But she we