Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-28
ONE NIGHT IN THE COUNTRY.

happened to come home late that night, for
/ l had dined some old friends at the club by way
| OF sparing my wife the trouble of entertaining.
| Now, Fanny was the most amiable woman in
| the world, and, Of course, never felt nervous
about returning at any hour chose. But the
truth was, she had given up her happy country
| life for my sake, and knew that she secretly
| regretted those rural delights. I also knew
| whenever was detained later than usual at
the club, that feeling was especially dominant
| So thrust my hands deep into my ulster
| pockets and tried to think of some pleasant
| topic of conversation with which TO begule her
| into cheerfulness. AS 1 drew near home my
| fingers came in contact with a crumped bit of
| paper in the depths OF my pocket. This knew
| to be telegram, which recalled the fact that
my agent had that day taken fruit farm near
| Nineland to secure a debt; and this, in turn,
suggested an idea. 1 would tell my wife about
| Cookies bargain, and emphasize the news by
displaying the dispatch.
| Softly opening the front door CROPPED my way
along the dark hall to the nursery where was
sure to find Fanny, and almost equally sure of
waking the baby. as that you, George?" she
asked in a discouraged tone, without turning
her head. The wicked idea of Disgusting my
voice to note the effect crossed my mind, but
tation.
., W course, Fanny. How coy you are here!
Turn up the lamp. I have something to show
you, said, cheerily, as I smoothed Cookies
r,, What do you think Of that, FAM" She
rubbed her sleepy eyes and gave the cradle a
little jog with her foot to keep the baby quiet.
80, George, how good you are1' she cried, joy
a anaiy: o hase you really bought farm: When
Why, you wouldn't move in March, would
you? asked for lack of something better to
say :.v,.. ,,or
And the furniture? Hadn't We better sell the
horses and carriage and get something a little
more suited TO country roads?"
saw that my wife was wide awake now so
yawned and replied that we would have plenty
OF time to think about that, and remarked that
III was getting late.
1 suffered an occasional twinge Of conscience
tI!e next day, as now and then / recalled my
Vile innocent prattle about our farm. also
usual wisdom in the attempt to strew my own
path with flowers on my return from the club.
AS dinner time approached shrank from meet
ing Fanny, and at last sent her note to say that
1 would not be home till q late hour and begged
her not to sit up for me. But might as well
have gone home like man. 1t was only de-
ferring the evil hour, when must confess that
never had the remOtest idea of living in the
country, even though might be the possessor
Still, day after day put it of, while was
forced to hear myself praised for unselfishness,
or or to listen to my wifes schemes for the educa-
reach OF schools. By-and-by our friends began
to talk of our departure as If it had been q
settled fact. In vain assured them that it was
all nonsense, and we were not going away at all
They took the pang of separation more phio-
sophically than one would have imagined, and
began to be a little sensitive. They even in
CURED whether 1 meant TO let or to sell the
mouse, what we were going to do with our serv-
All this was rather hard: but when on our
elghth anniversary. our neighbors gave US q
little surprise party, presenting US with silver
perry set, appropriately marked as "a part
Ing testimonial of esteem and regret" was in
despair. After the company was gone my
wife gently reproaehed me with lack Of cor
hnf / cd no oo.f
to confess the reason. 1 do not know how
ever managed to restrain my feelings till she
turning up the gas, critically surveyed myself
from top to toe. Was q demented lunatic? If
were stu in the full, possession of my mind,
driven to suicide. What could it meane With
out out one voluntary step on my part was liter.
clenehed teeth. ~ have still a roof over my
mead, La and Nv Will have my, freedom Twill let
"George," softly called Fanny through the
nursery n door, did tell you that1 showed Mrs.
good as promised to take it at your own terms
1 groaned soto yoce, and I was glad that
Fanny could not see me at that moment
Did you bear, DEAR" she insisted.
Yes but ann too tired to discuss anything
am completely worn OUT answered fret-
1uilY but with great sincerity.
oor george, signed she. "YOu need the
rest ana quiet OF the country as much as L.
so scarcely knowing how, our pretty house on
Fourth street was let, furnished; and the 1st
day of May found the Warren family on wheels.
The purchase of the farm had been accepted
ade as Gd boys used to
visit, but nothing had been further nom nv
mind and naturally felt very anxious as we
1t was one of Fanny's hobbies that our bows
should De removed from the town and its
vicious influences while they were yet blissfully
from that standpoint, it was Certainly a success
Our nearest neighbor was q solitary old man. as
deaf as post and at least q mile away. The
village was twice that distance, and the roads
so heavy that there was little danger of con-
Eliminating associations from that quarter. My
heart was heavier than lead as the horses toiled
through the sand between the station and our
home, making the new carry-all creak in every
We found the house prettily emb6wered in
vines whose leaves would no doubt appear in
due time. Tidy, our maid of all work declared
that 1t was the dirtiest house she sever set foot
in, but Fanny said that was what everybody
thought who was not used to moving into old
houses. 1t was Fanny's nature to make the
and TiIdy had contrived to make things sn sne
and homelke. ,Ne
And was not at all unhappy. Indeed, my
own indifference caused me the Rravest fore
6odlng at nrst. seemed TO be paralyzed. Per-
haps my neighbors had recognized my mental
disorder and attributed our change Of residence
to It, As time went On, however, returned to
my old self. The humdrum life I was forced
to lead grew fntolerable. The spell of longing
Tor my old haunts came upon me.
just about this time received letter calling
me TO the city upon matter of business Fanny
made arrangements for me to 60 by an early
train, so that might return that same evening.
for she was timid, and dreaded the Thought 81
my absence for a single night. Upon nv ar
rival, however, found that could not do this.
therefore telegraphed to my wife to that effect,
and also that Miss Jones' whom had Invited
70 visit us, would go in my place. Fanny was
fond OF all young ladies, and Miss Jones in par
ticular. So dattered myself that had made
such satisfactory arrangement that need be
In no haste to return.
was hardly able to conceal my boyish de.
ing. My friends were glad to see me, in way:
put felt that they were less enthusiastic than
the circumstances demanded. They greeted
me with. Well. Warren, you begin TO look
better, and "Glad to see that farming agrees
with you, George" till felt like Knocking
nat and the wines insipid. thought of Fanny's
dainty table with sigh. even stole q glance
at my watch to see if could catch the train
and get back that night. The thought OF my
wife made me uneasy She wonld be lonely 30
even In the midst Of our pleasant home on
Fourth street, with Tidy In the nursery, she
had sometimes been so nervous In the long
nights when was away that the beating OF her
own heart sounded like knocking at the street
his ears to listen, she dared not guess what he
might hear. wondered that had not thought
of this before. There was q slow train leavino
at midnight which would reach Peachville
about two In the morning, and resolved to take
II. 1 had not minute to spare and as we
my own inpatience to get back II was long
enough after two when Ileft the train and ha.