Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-22

| OHe SOt III Tie again, L sup
pose" was his thought, and is trying tc
disguise it under pretense of being ill
Dare say / shall find her crying or faint
ing away in the conservatory, with fans
and smelling-bottles round her-or per-
haps she's gone home"
At that instant little laugh at his ell
bow startled him, and, turning, he saw
Nellie, bright and flushed, talking to a
very handsome man, who appeared quite
absorbed in her. Mr.. Palmer stared mo-
ment at the unconscious couple.
Why, the deucep' was his thought
what on earth can they have been talk
ing about all this while?" Then, sudden
ly meeting his wife's eye, he smiled and
whispered, Enjoying yourself, Nell ?"
ooh, yes, dear, delightfully."-! Don't
trouble yourself about me, pray"
He passed on, but didn't go far, and, as
ne stood whispering soft nothings to senti-
mental Kate Marshall, his eyes OCCASION
ally 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. All the while the handsome
stranger never left her side. 1t was per-
fectly evident that he admired her.
If she were not a married woman he
would certainly fall in love with her-she,
my wife," and he felt little resentful of
the admiration.
Nellie Palmer had never sung more
sweetly, or danced more gracefully than
upon this evening.
Don't you think, Nell, you've danced
enough for one night?" said her husband,
toward the close of the evening; "for a
married woman" he added.
but I've enjoyed myself so much Really,
l almost forgot that was married woman,
and felt like little girl again."
And behaved like one" he said rather
| coolly. Who is that fellow that has been
in attendance upon you all the evening ?"
he inquired, as they walked down stairs.
That remarkably handsome man, with
the expressive dark eyes, do you mean ~
| never noticed his eyes or that he was
at all handsome" he answered, stiffiy.
ooh, | thought You meant Captain
Lowell, of the artillery. All here he
is-just one moment, dear-I quite for
got"
And Nellie spoke a few words to the
Captain in passing, of which her husband
could distinguish only something about
"that book"
upon my word,o he said sarcastically,
lyon appear very intimate already"
Because, love, we've discovered that
we're congenial spirits. We like 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 comprehend
you-not your outer self merely, but with
sort of soul sympathy"
"Soul fiddlesticks."
You never did have much sentiment
Bob" sighed Nellie, in an injured tone.
Sentiment be hanged Come. Nellie.
be quick with your wrappings. 1t has
been a stupid evening, and shall be glad
to get home and to bed"
When Robert Palmer came home next
day he found his wife, not crying, as be-
fore, in her bedroom, but in the parlor,
practicing a new song.
Captain Lowell called this morning"
she said, 'and l have promised to sing this
for him at Mrs. CampbelPs."
"Ah" he answered, with an expression
of indifference; and, as his wife again
struck up with the first few notes, he NUT
tered to himself, 'Confound Captain
Lowell p
At Mrs. CampbelPs Captain Lowell was
again In attendance upon pretty Mrs.
Palmer; and then other gentlemen dis
covered her attractions, her piquancy. and
coquettisneSs and fiirtishness; and SO. in a
very few weeks, Mrs. Palmer was belle,
She did not seem in the least to care who
her husband was attending upon, and, in
deed, he could scarcely get a word with
her at all, when at the gay assemblies
which they constantly frequented. He
sometimes gave a hint that she was "no
longer a girl" and that he was her hus-
band ; but she only laughed, and said there
was no harm done, and that she was enioy
ing herself SO delightfully."-, and felt herself
more belle than even when girl-which |
was true, because she had not flirted then.
being absorbed, heart and soul, in Bob |
Palmer. But now it was Captain Lowell
who appeared chiefly to occupy her
thoughts, as well as good part of her
time. She sung and danced with him
she read the books he sent and so fre-
quent were his visits, so constant his atten- |
tions, that at last Robert Palmer's wrath
burst forth
"Ellen," he said, as he one day closed
the door on the departing Captain, 81
really cannot permit this to 60 on any
longer. Your conduct to me is most un- |
expected-most astounding You are by |
far too intimate with this fellow, Lowell. |
He is constantly in my house; and last |
evening he scarcely left your side, while |
you stood, for two hours, the center of |
group of chattering, grinning popiniays,
like himselfo
"Why, Bob, you yourself, blamed me |
for playing wall-hower and spider and |
said you were ashamed of me-"
II am much more ashamed of you now" |
he retorted severely.
Now, dear, that is quite unreasonable of |
you. Didn't you tell me that | would |
please you by enjoying myself and flirting
a little? You know youdid," added Nellie,
reproachfully; "and now that | am obey
ing you, you get jealous
Jealous? Not | But ! am offended |
and insulted-yes, and disgusted as well.
If you could only hear the remarks about
yourself and that Lowell
Similar to those that | heard in regard |
to you and Miss Baden, l presume?" said
his wife.
"What is Miss Baden to me ?p he de-
angrily.
And what is Captain Lowell to me?"
:. You encourage him, madam. You
fiirt with him.
As you do with Isabel Baden"
A man may do what is not permissible
in a woman
"Ah, that is itp' said Nellie, with her
old sigh. "You men may neglect wife
may wear out her heart and life with an
expose her to the pity or
ridicule OF all her acquaintance by show
ing devotion to another, and she, poor
slave, must not presume to turn, as may
even the trampled worm, but must bear all
In meek silence, never even imploring
mercy, lest she offend her lord. But i
have had enough of this, Bob; and ,now as
you do to me will do to you. If you go
on flirting, so will l. / know you don't |
care bit more for Isabel Baden than
DO for Captain Lowell; but 1 will not be
neglected and humbled in the sight of the
whole world. l am not a slave, but a
wife, and demand the honor due to me :"
Her mood was new one to her hus-
band. She sat erect and proud, looking