Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-22
GRACE EGERT0N's LIFE LESSON.


mirror, taking enc last look, with g little
pardonable vanity, at the pretty figure
that was reflected there.
In another hour she would be Mrs.
Ernest. Redgra7e. How hard il was to
realize.
She was a vain frivolous girl. But
deep down in the depths OF he little
worldly heart was wealth of true love
for Ernest. If she had to give up all this
outside show, she would have been quite
content to go off all alone with him, and
prove how true a wife she could be; but
Ihere was no occasion for this, and per-
haps even Grace herself knew not how
truly she loved him. She was spoiled,
petted child, and that any solemn duties
were entailed in the estate upon which
she was just entering, she did not pause
tie think.
For four weeks she and Ernest travelled;
then they came back to their own beauti-
full home-her fathers wedding gift to
her. Here round of festivities awaited
them, so that the young couple, for three
months, had no single evening to them
selves.
''I'm tired Grace. Let us stay st home
tonight, darling," said Ernest one eve
ming after dinner, as Grace was about TO
leave him to make her toilet for some
party.
"Abscrd, Ernest! You are not growing
old already, surely! Besides I promised
Mrs. BlessirgtOn we would come, and I
cannot disappOint her."
81 do not like Mrs. Blessiugton. I wish
you were not SO intimate with her; and
really my head aches tonight. Stay at
home like & good little girl"
For a moment Grace wavered. She
&bo SoI
SO warm and inviting. She could fancy
Ernest stretched on the sofa, while she
sat before him, bathing his forshead
with some fragrant cologne, and thought
what sweet evening they might have
Then she remembered something Mrs
Blessington had said about spelling men,
aud how easy If was to begin, and how
selfish they grew.
"Come, Ernest, we have got no time to
lose. And as to that horrid prejudice of
yours, do try to get over it,"
There camC q temptation to the man
temptation TO carry out his own manly
will; but softer, tenderer feeling swept
over him as the mental vision of the
pretty, laug hing face passed before him,
and half an hour later he stood in fall
dress, waiting the advent of the beautiful
girl, who, ali unconsciously to them both
was steering her frail vessel en- the quick.
sands of married misery.
year passed, and Mr.. and Mrs. Red
grave were still in the vortex of fashion
able life; but to the mans spirit it had
grown unutterably wearisome.
81 married for home, Grace" he said
one day in gentle expos,ulation; "but
what do | see of my homer"
"Qnite enough TO satisfy easonable
man. Why, / shouldn't want to be alone
with you all the time, Ernest. Think how
dreadfully tired we would get of each
otherv
The thoughtless words stabbeo like a
knife, but he made no reply. Only that
evening for the FIRST time, Mrs. Redgrave
went to some gay assembly alone
Mr.. Redgrave had refused to accompany
her.
az am tired" he said, ''but do not lei
me detain you. Mrs. Blessington is seen
constantly without her husband"
because he is BEAR" answered Grace
pouting.
Nevertheless, she went, and after that
it was no uncommon thing for Ernest to
spend his evenings with his books and
thoughts. while his beautiful wife went
out alone.
"Grace, | wish you to give up Mrs
Blessington,n he said one evening as they
sat at dinner.
Nonsense, Ernest, 1 can not do it if
wished it ever so much"
''But you must do it. will not have
you go to that woman's house again"
"But Ernest, 1 have already accepted
an invitation 20 dinner there. Thursday
evening.
"Then write and decline. do not ask
you Without good cause, little girl, but
things have recently come to my hearing
regarding this lady, and do not wish
my wife's name coupled with hers"
Grace made no reply, but in her own
heart her decision was unaitered. Begin
so yield TO mans whims and where would
she end? OF course she should go. She
had been married moro than year now
and so far, had her own sweet will and
way.
This time the latter was Unexpectedly
made easy for her; for as Ernest kIsseo
her goodbye on Thursday morning, he
said to her
II sha'n't be home TO dinner, to night
Grace. You had better dine at mothers
BY tie way, this was Mrs. Blessington':
night. You have declined that invita-
tion?"
The first fear thst she sver felt OF
Ernest crept into her heart at a new
stern look she saw in his eyes, and i
drew her first falsehood to him from he1
lips.
Eyes," she answered.
He stopped aud kissed her more ten
derby.
"Ill make it up to you, darling. Be
lieve me, did not ask it without gooG
cause
She stood quite still, after he had lef
her She was half tempted vet to obey
him; but pshaw! What nonsense il
wasl
So, .6 seven O'Clock, the carriage stood
at her door, and, in 8 5ewitching dinner
dress she was driven to the house he
husband had forbidden her to enter.
But the dinner dragged not but tha
Mrs. Blessipgton's chef had done herself
infinite credit, or that her guests failei
In their part. The trouble lay only Will
Mrs. Redgrave's self. In vain she strovt
to rally; mpliments palled on her; til,
lights tired her. One thought weighed
on her heart and brain.
Suppose Ernest should be seriousl,
displeaseds Well, what if ne were
Mrs. Blessington had told her how sh
managed her husbands first displeas
ure.
"Never YIELD" size advised. "Neve
show that you are sorry, and you'll 500
learn not to feel sorry"
So when at 10 O'Clock, she babe he
hostess good night, she determined not t
show that she felt any regret.
A light in the library told her that he