The Portland daily press., 1886-11-01

MONDAY MORNING, NOV. 1.
POOR MANS WIFE.


WHICH the speaker sat, ner cola gray eyes
softening a little as she replied:
IF you tell me which ofEthe two you have
chosen | can answer you"
You ought to know without being told"
Stella laughed. Clarence, of course"
Belle Lawson looked serious
Stella, | am sorry. Not that bear Clar-
ence Henshaw any ill-will. but, child, you
are not fit to be a poor mans wife. Remem-
Der you are proud and have been reared in
ease and comfort. Follow my advice and
marry Henry Lakeman."
Stella shook her head.
mo, Belle; Wouldn't marry Henry Lake.
man If he was hundred times richer than
he is"
She slipped aplcture into its envelope after
long view.
1T is lovely place." she sighed, "and
would like to live there"
The sister was watching, and stopping,
kissed the smooth, white brow, while she
said:
Don't be too hasty, Stella. If you covet
this pretty home of Henry Lakeman's ac-
cept it,"
''But love Clarence. prefer cottage
with him to mansion with henry"
Miss Lawson turned to the window with
sorry look. Some sweet dream of her child
hood was in her memory, perhaps, but she
held it worse than folly to indulge in regrets.
Love- in her estimation, was no balance in
the scale for wealth.
Stella" she continued, very grayely, 81
have acted the part of mother for many
years; my wish has ever been that you form
a wealthy marriage. know you love lux
ury, you enjoy display, and am not saying
too much when add that you worship beau
tiful apparel. Henry Lakeman can give you
all OF these. Clarence Henshaw cannot. AS
his wife you will be subject to all manner of
privations; be obliged to live in common
way, stint and economic and manage the
best you can. How long will that suit girl
of your tastes? Think well Of it. | shall
let you have your own choice in regard to
this marriage"
My mind is made up, my dear Belle"
Stella responded
She took up the view, slipping letter into
its envelope as she spoke.
''If favored his suit was to keep it, sis
ter Belle" she continued touching the edge
of the wrapper to her rosy lips, and sealing
it with a heavy slap of the hand. 81 do not.
you see. l won't be sorry" murmured she,
turning the envelope to look at its super
scription.
Your happiness is within your own grasp,
Stella. You'll recall my words some day."
and with stately gait Belle Lawson left
her.
Stella ran lightly up stairs to her own
room and touched the bell in great haste.
"You win oblige me by mailing this at
once, she said to the servant who answered
her call, handing him this very envelope,
"and," she said, smiling and blushing, 'sbe
careful .of this" putting another letter
into his hand Leave it with no one but the
person to whom it is addressed"
'There'll be no mistake, miss And that
night perfumed note lay on Clarence Hen
shaw's pillow, and he, foolish fellow, was
transported to the upper heaven of delight
Three months later they were married.
They were happy and hopeful couple
This life upon which they had entered was
like new and UNEMPLOYED country, but Clar-
ence meant to work hard and felt little or no
doubt in regard to their future. He had
been head bookkeeper for many years
and had the promise of something better yet
the coming season. They rented house in
the pleasant part of the city, kept a servant
and Stella wore the handsome clothes which
had been provided at the time of her mar
riaga. But toward the end of the first year
of their welded life his firm was said to be
under heavy liabilities, and the anniversary
Of their marriage found the house bankrupt
onh CIorapoa ont af Oh
out of their house and took cheaper place
in another part of the city BY this time
their funds began to run low, and Stella
wanted something new for her wardrobe.
81 shall find something by-and-by," the
husband said bravely.
1t was at this trying time that little
speck of humanity was put into Stela's
arms, and its feeble cry told that the respon-
bility OF motherhood was here.
I'm the happiest man alive" Clarence
exclaimed, carressing wife and baby boy. |
Let pride go to the dogs, Stella,' he added,
remembering that now his responsibility was
greater than before. "They are in want of |
of workmen on the new city hall. I'll take |
my hammer-it will give us bread"
She ought to have been contented-
to have thought with pride of the man who
would thus brave the worlds opinion. He
went out in the early morning and came
home late at night his handsome face glow
ing with love. But the very thought that
her husband was brought down to the level
Of common laborer hurt her.
Sister Belle had said that her tastes were
luxurious, and she wanted a pretty home
now and fine apparel for herself and baby.
The people with whom she had lived had
never to count their money to know if they
could buy new dress. She had never bad
to make the best of circumstances, and why
should she now? The little privations she
endured worried her, and in little while
the sweet-tempered woman became moody
and down-hearted.
stella is homesick," the husband would |
say; 'the care of the baby is too much for |
her must make some money" and his |
hammer rang with redoubled energy, but |
Stella continued to sulk
"How can you expect me to live among
such surroundings" was her appeal when
he begged her to cheer up. sit is cruel in
you. / want to go home to my friends
The warm glow came to his face, and he
drew her tenderly toward him without a
word, but there was a look piteous to see in |
his handsome eyes. Then came day lit |
tie later when it did seem that matters had |
come to crisis. The city hall was finished |
and Clarence must look for something new.
Jennie, who had been Freddy's nurse had |
to 60, and all the household cares fell upon
Stella. They had moved about great deal, |
hoping to find place in which the fretful |
girl wife would be contented.
These people are all alike, you know, and
/ may as well be in one place as another"
was her reply to Clarence when he suggested
that they move.
1t was unwomanly in her to say this, she |
knew, and she thought to run after her hus-
band and beg his forgiveness, but just then |
Freddy caught her dress, causing her to spill |
the water she was pouring into the kettle, |
which only increased her vexation.
"You cross little thing" she exclaimed, |
impatiently. Take thatP' laying her hand
heavily on the little bare shoulders. Then
she sat down and fell into hysterical weep
ing. Freddy, with the prints of her fingers
still on his neck. tried to climb into her lap,
but she pushed him away roughly