St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-02-18
AN IDEAL HUSBAND.

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open when in society for this incompar-
able being,
She wanted to get a husband who
would be exactly opposite to her in ev-
cry qualification, yet when she met Ed
ward VavasOur he made deep impress
sion, though he hardly answered the re-
quirements of her ideal She liked him
very much, but his nature was so mach
like her own that rather than give up
her pet sc heme of securing husband.
she tried to keep his memory out of her
heart.
in time NavaSOur proposed for her
hand, and, being strongly urged by her
| aunt to accept the young man. she be-
came engaged to him. She was still
tOrmented with doubts, and very lOath
| to lose her ideal lover, who still reigned
| in her heart. She told him some of her
doubts as they walked i'll the garden one
evening.
Louisa" said Navasour, with much
emotion, was then deceived when |
thought you distinguished me among
the multitude of admirers by whom you
were Surrounded?''
ALIAS! | cannot forgive myself. l
do justice to your good qualities, be-
lieve me, sir; but do not see between
us those harmonieS which arise FROM
She was about to say certain contrasts
but she was ashamed, and did not finish
the sentence.
What" exclaimed Vavasour; shave
we not the same tastes, the same man.
ners, the same mode of thinking? 1t is
this which has so much pleased me in
you, and has made me wish forever to
unite my fate with yours. Louisa, render
me not the most wretched Of men. You
must be mine, or L shall leave this
country forever. Do you, then, hate
me?" added he, pressing her hand
against his heart.
Far from it, said Louisa, whose
heart was full, and who could scarcely
support herself. Il resist my inclina-
ton when | refuse to-"
A tear mOiStened her eyes and she
could not speak without all effort.
The aunt appeared.
You see you love him, my poor Lou
lSa," said she. Come. come. what |
requested in the morning, in the even
ing i shall command"
Louise made no answer, but SUBJ
mltted to be led as victim to the altar"
The first month after marriage Vava-
sour applied himself to establish order
and regularity in his house. The duties
of all who resided in it were prescribed
to them, and the business of his wife
was to see that these duties were per-
for med.
She smiled at entering on this ne w
employment, and Vavasour occasionally
reminded her pleasantly Of what he con-
Sidered her duties.
She fulfilled them with the greatest
exactness, for she wished to please him,
and soon she found pleasure in per-
forming them, as is, in fact, always the
case in the natural course of things.
In the second month Vavasour rarely
took his wife to public assemblies or
private balls. He likewise received
much company at home, combining him
self to few friends of mature age and
| of grave and rather reserved characters.
Louisa, though she was fond of public
entertainments and all the show and
hustle Of fashionable life. scarcely per-
celved the reform that was being made,
because her husband was to her instead
of everything.
Her love for him increased every day.
Before marriage he had appeared to her
only amlable: she was now convinced
that he deserved her highest esteem.
One day VavasOur said to his wife,
My dear Louisa. mother should de-
vote herself entirely to the education of
her children. How shall you be able
amid the pleasures that surround you,
to appropriate all your time and atten-
ton to the care of the innocent and
lovely being of which you shall soon be-
come the mother? Are you willing to
| pass a few years in the rural retire
| tirement which was left me by my
| father?"
| Louisa heSitated moment, but soon
consented to live in the country. Sat
| least" she said, II shall be with the
! husband L love, and with the child am
| disposed affectiOnately to cherish, at
least as much as his father.'
When in the country, Vavasour traced
out plan of life which he constantly
followed. One part of the day as APP
| propriated to study, another to walking
| or conversation.
| Louisa, On her part. employed herself
in occupations which interested without
fatiguing her. She almost forgot the
| town.
One evening as they were sitting on
the grass on the bank of a small river
which crossed their park. they talked of
their love and cOurtShip before mar
rage.
"How much have your character
and tastes altered! What has become
Of the lively, the elegantly trifing. the
apparently thoughtless Edward Vava-
sour? You are no longer
|
asour, interrupting her. wished to
please in society, and 1 assumed the
tone and manners which appeared to
me proper to procure success. When [
became acquainted with the amiable
Louisa | found it necessary, the more
nearly to resemble her, to redouble
my frivOlties. But when / returned
again to myself, laid aside my mask
and my theatrical habit, as an actor
does behind the scenes, and resumed
my reason"
Heavens" exclaimed Louisa, show
nearly had disappointment been the
consequence of this disguise! | should
have married much more readily had l
believed you to be such as you are.''
81 do not endeavOr to excuse mySelf.' -
said Vavasour. 81 am making nv co n
fession; and, since the time of avowing
the truth has arrivee, | will declare
with some shame, my dear Louisa, that
In me nothing was real, not even my
| person.
At these words Louisa surveyed him
with some establishment, and even with
some degree of alarm.
your person, Edwards"
"Was not precisely the same to ap-
pearance as at present." replied Va
vaSour, smiling at the disquietude of
his wife. Look at me, my dear.
DO not my hair and eyebrows APP
pear less dark than they formerly
did? 1t is because l have long since
ceased to tinge them with liquor
which changed their too feeble color to
one more masculine and prominent,
and which appeared to me to give more
of character to my figure. | blush to
think OF my former cOQuetry, and l
now leave nature to assume her rights
At this last communication Louisa
threw herself into the arms of her hus-
band.
Il know now why / loved you SO
much. - she cried oft is hacauSa YOU