The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-21

Ieel sorry Tor our master; how was he TO
know when he married her, that she
would be cross and sulky; he never saw
her, as you say, except with her face
wreathed in smiles, and looking as bright
as the morn. Now she hardly ever
smiles at him, and he hears nothing but
signs from her, or, worse still, sharp re-
proaches."
''But he neglects her," complained Left
Drop" he goes out somewhere every
evening, and don't come beck till mid
night. No wonder she is lonely, poor
thing"
"Whose fault is it?" argued Right Drop,
warmly. marrying don't make man
over; n aster was always fond of compa-
ny and fun, and as he often met bis
sweetheart in gay company, how was he
to know that she would turn out SO sober
and stay at home when he got married?
tell you, chum. it's a great pity some
body don't warn mistress that she is
throwing away her chances. Master
loves her now, but men don't keep on
loving sour wives; she had better look
OUT
"What would you advise, il she could
understand our talk?" asked Left Drop in
troubled voice.
"Why, 1 would beg her." said the
other, I" to set herself to please master;
to try to like what he liked, SO long as it
wasn't wrong, and always to speak softly
and sweetly to him. 1t would be worth
her while to treat him just as she did
when he first admired her; then it stands
to reason he'd keep on admiring her.
| And unless I'm mistaken" here the Ear
ring lowered his voice, "she hasn't any
time to lose; master is a sober man now,
but won't answer"
| Was it the sound of the front door
shutting rather louder than usual that
awoke Mrs. James? The hands of the
French clock pointed at half-past twelve,
and she heard her husbands step in the
lower hall. The CRATE was still sending
out ruddy glow, but the fire was low.
Evidently the little maid had gone to her
bed hours ago. The diamond earrings
looked innocent of the words with which
the lady's heart was throbbing wildly,
but surely that step was unusually slow
and heavy; was it possible? could it be?
ali, the anguish of the Doubt
AS drowning man is said to have un-
| l1po I, IL
every deed of his past life, SO in the few
moments before her husbands hand was
on her door knob, Mrs. James seemed to
see before her every day of her brief mar
ried life, in the new and painful light OF
her own mistakes and unreasonableness
And not that only, but there was time fol
single fervent petition, which went up
strong winged to the throne of grace
"Lord, help me-" and for the birth Of q
sudden, full grown resolution which was
henceforth to change the whole current
of her life.
When Major James opened the door
he was altogether taken aback at the
sight of the radiant creature before him;
the crimson lustre of the gown, softened
at throat and wrists by the soft, downy
whiteness, the long, rich braids, shining
eyes and flushed cheeks, made indeed q
lovely picture, and instead of the cold
averted look with which his late entrance
was usually received, his beautiful wife
came forward and laid her hands caress.
ingiy on his shoulders.
"Why, Lucy, girl, what's up? You
look as if you had been having all sorts
of jolly time"
ST have been asleep and dreaming,
she answered, with bright smile, though
her heart sank to see how flushed with
wine her husband was. Some day I'll
tell you my dream"
~
There was new a sudden revival in
Mrs. James's wardrobe Ito Lindy'e ont
spoken delight Of the dainty, becoming
laces and ribbons that had pleased hel
lovers eyes, years ago, and he never
again heard in her voice the sharpness
that had grated SO on him for two years
past.
Never again; and yet Mrs. James did
not find life smooth or easy when she
faced about to climb back up the hill. Is
an uphill path ever an easy one? But
she left despair at the bottom, and in'
stead of this dark comrade, shining hope
kept her company, and faith and patience
followed close behind.
1t was not an easily won fight, against
her own sel6ehness, and her husbands
self-indulgence, but defeat and anxiety
and helplessness drew her closer and
closer to that strong friend who promises
help to the heavy laden. In all times OF
her prosperity" she had turned dull
ear to his voice; now, soreJy pressed, and
almost fainting under her task, his words
of promise were her strength and stay.
But three more years passed over her
head before she found it possible to tell
her husband the dream of her diamond
earrings. These ears were eventful ones
to them both; the wife had sacrificed her
tastes time after time, to mingle with her
husband in gay society, and shamed by
her gentle sweetness, he had taught him
self to find conteutment sometimes at his
own fireside. True, his old habits and