National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-13
A Lesson for wives.
FLORENCE. you surely will not 20 ~
"Why not2v

Haucyi blue eyes 20 the face OF the man NJ
her side.
why do you object to my going to
Mrs. Houston's ball, RobortP / thought
you were proud of my social success and
liked your wife to be reigning BELLE"
Robert Darrow looked grave.
1T is because / cannot attend you TO
this ball, my dear" no returned, for i'm
portant business calls me out of town
business 80 urgent that / will not spoil
your anticipated pleasure by explaining
IL to you. And you are so determined to
go that you are willing to accept tho os-
cort OF your cousin, Ralph, whom you
know to be a notorious flirt and lady
killer Florence, wish you would give
1t up"
She pouted her pretty rod lips.
=" Do DO reasonable, Rob" she cried (;
". have my dresses all prepared, and
there will BIO nothing prottier at Mrs.
Houstons tonight. As for cousin Ralph,
he is n gentleman; you need not be afraid
to trust me to his care. IL is not so tor
riblo thing, after all. Our own carriage
will convey cousin Ralph and myself to
Mrs. Houston's house, only three or four
blocks away, and l shall not remain late.
Therefore, on the whole, dear, 1 think
you ought to make no objections"
He stopped and kissed the pretty face
with stitied sign Of disappointment.
Very well, my darling" he returned,
gently, II will not stand in the way Of
your happiness. Go, Florence, If you
wish, land enjoy yourself"
But there was troubled expression
upon Robert Darrow's handsome face, and
his eyes held D grave look in their depths
as bo turned away. Somehow the heart
of the gay, young wife smote her little.
II wonder what is the matter" she ex-
claimed. when he had left tho room;
Robert Is not like himself anymore. 1
wonder what troubles him2 He is too
proud and reserved too tell me, but he
has something on his mind, / am sure
of it,"
She leaned her head back among the
cushions of her easy chair and closed her
eyes YEARLY; she had been busy all day,
shopping and making ready for this won
derful ball, and was quito fatigued. She
did not hear her husbands light steps
when he entered the room, all ready for
his journey, which was into neighboring
city. He stopped and kissed the pretty,
childish face.
self. Poor little darling, how she will
suffer when she knows all the bitter
truth l will keep it from her as long as
/ can"
Then, with long, lingering look, he
turned away. descended the stairs, and
leaving the house, turned toward tho
depot from whence he embarked on his
journey.
When Florence Darrow opened her
eyes the twilight shadows were stealing
into her room. and Mario, her def little
maid, was lighting the gas in the pretty
lily-shaped globes.
'Mr. Darrow has gone. ma'am.p said
tho girl; che left YOU these flowers"
And Marie laid bouquet of lovely
Parma violets before her mistress as she
spoke, Florence seized them with cry
Of rapture. and buried her face in their
fragrant, purple hearts.
"Oh, how beautifulln she cried; 'Marie.
is my dress all readyp'
"All ready, Mrs. barrow, and dinner is
waiting"
So Florence won't down to the pretty
dining room, where a dainty repast
awaited her. But 1t was fearfully lonely
and desolate without her husband. The
heart of the young wifo contracted with
terrible pain as the thought entered it:
What if she should never see Robert
again. She missed him everywhere.
The meal was eaten in dreary loneli-
ness; then she retired to her own cham
Der to prepare for the ball.
Two hours later Florence barrow en-
tered the grand drawing-room at Mrs.
Houston's elegant mansion leaning on tho
arm of her cousin, Ralph Arden, hand
some but rather dissipated looking man.
She was lovely, in trailing robe Of
delicate azure silk with frosty, white lace
over-dress looped with purple hearted
vioets, with knot Of the same fragrant
blossoms in her hair and at her white
THROAT.
A murmur of admiration went around
tho room she was Immediately sur
rounded by eager admirers, and dance
after dance solicited.
Late in the evening she stood alone for
few moments in deep embrazure of
window. Some gentlemen near were
busily converting and did not observe
her.
Eyes, it is true" she heard one of them
say. "Darrow is at tho very verge of ruin,
and am told that his wifes extravaganza
is at the bottom Of it all. do not doubt
it. Look at her tonight dressed like
queen, surrounded by admirers, without
her husbands protection. No wonder no
is ruined and despairing 1t is the reck-
less extravaganza of their wives which
wreck the prosperity of one-half our
young business men,"
With stihed exclamation Florence
was about to spring forward and indig-
nantly deny the charges, but at that
moment newcomer drew near.
"Ah, good evening, Hartley" he began,
"have you heard the dreadful news?
Awfully sorrow to tell 1t, but Robert OAR
row is financially ruined, and in despair
has blown his brains out"
With wild Shrek of mortal agony the
young wife darted forward. she felt her
self tottering and fallen, and then she
opened her eyes.
She was in her own chamber and Mario
stood near.
why, Mrs barrow |" cried the girl, in
dismay; you have been asleep and dream.
ing. You would have fallen to the floor