Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-10-26

cheeks were DrlRnter anu hei
spirits more buoysntas she entered
Mrs. Johnson's crowded drawing
rooms. Scarcely had they paid
their respects to the hostess when
Mr. Palmer accosted, or rather was
accosted, by Miss Baden,a brilliant
confident girl, who tried to ensnsre
him before his marriage, and al
the same moment a gentleman
addressed Mrs. Palmer.
She answered mechanically, un
able to withdraw her attention
from her husband and his com
panion, until, seeing something In
Miss Baden's glance at herself
which she did not like, her pride
again awOke, and she turned, as
with a sudden determination, to
the gentleman at her side. lie was
recent conner to the town, very
pleasant and handso me, and Nellie
Palmer forthwith began to try and
make herself agreeable to him. He
looked so pleased, and was himself
so agreeable, that it soon cost her
no effort to converse and then her
old lively spirits returned; and to
her surprise, she found that she
was enjoying herself.
Her husband didn't much notice
this, but MISS Baden did; and her
Irritation with Mr.. Palmer lost
much of Its charm, now that bis
wife did not appear mortified and
jealous, and that people couldn''
see that she was 80. Wherefore
Miss Baden grew Indifferent, and
Mr.. Palmer bethought himself tc
look after his wife. Not finding
her looking over the photograph
albums, nor talking to deaf old Mr.
Brown, neither in any of the "holes
and corners" which she was wont
Of late to frequent, he became
rather puzzled.
"She's got the dumps again,
suppose" was his thought, "and
is trying to disguise it under the
pretense of being i'll. Dare say
shall and her crying or faintine
away in the conservatory, with
fans and smelling bottles round heI
or perhaps she's gone home"
At that instant a little laugh al
his elbow startled him and turning,
he saw Nellie, bright, and flushed,
talking to q very handsome man,
who appeared quite absorbed in
her. Mr.. Palmer stared a moment
at the unconscious couple.
"Who, the deuceW was his
thought. "what on earth can they
have been talking about all this
while 7" Then suddenly meeting
his wife's eye he smiled and
whispered, Enjoying yourself,
Nell u
ooh, yes, dear, delightfully."-
Don't trouble yourself about me,
pray"
He passed on, but didn't 60 far,
and as be stood, whispering soft
nOthlngs to sentimental Kate
Marshall, his eyes occasionally
wandered to his wife. how pretty
she was looking, and how gay she
was. and how cOquettishly she was
exchanging light repartee with that
flirting fellow, Tom Harrison. And
all the time the handsome stranger
never left her side. 1t was por'
fectly evident that he admired her
"If she we're not a married woman
be would certainly fall in love with
her, she, my wife," and he felt a
little resentful Of the admiration
Nellie Palmer had never sung
more sweetly or danced moro grace
fully than on this evening.
"Don't yor :.hi2k, Nell, you have
danced enough for one night" said
her husband, toward the close Of
the evening, "for a married wo.
man ~ he added.
"Perbaps so," she answered
cheerfnlly, "buL I've enjoyed my.
self so much ! Really, I almost
forgot | was a married woman, and
felt like girl again."
Sand behave like one" he said,
rather coolly. "Who is that fellow
who has been in attendance upon
you all the evening 7" he inquired,
as they walked down stairs.
"That remarkably handsome man,
with the impressive dark eyes, dc
you meant"
81 never noticed his eyes or that
he Was at all handsome" be an,
swered, stiffiy.
"Oh, 1 thought you meant Capt,
Lovel Of the artillery. All, here he
is-just one moment, dear, l quite
forgot"
And Nellie spoke a few words Ia
the captain in passing, of which
her husband could distinguish only
something about "that book
"Upon my word" he said, sar.
castically, "you appear very init
mate already"
"Because, love, we've discovered
that we're cOugenial spirits. We
ike the same things, books, music,
scenery; indeed, everything, and
have the same opinions on most
subjects. You know how pleasant
it Is to meet with one who can com.
prehend you not your outer sell
merely, but with q sort of SOU
sympathy.