Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-03-05
The Husbands Lesson.
"I wonder why he stays so late ?

S6U Ill WHICH, Sic uISU SdG uOWil D0Sl0lt
the window to watch and listen TO
her husbands coming, and it wa.
quite dark now, and still she pressed
her soft cheek to the easement anC
peered into the shadows with hel
clear, blue eyes.
She was very beautiful and very
young. But for the wedding ring
upon her hand YOU would have called
her girl, and have believed her tc
be waiting for a lovers and not 6
husbands coming. Yet she had beer
waiting three long years, and he, tt
whom she had given all her heart
! when she stood beside him at the al.
tar, already neglected her, and left
her to watch evening after evening.
night after night, for the tardy foot
step which, in the old days of court
ship had been the very echo of hei
own.
Something akin to regret was in
her heart tonight as she remembered,
as only neglected wife can, the love
and tenderness of those past hours.
How he used to gaze into her eyes,
and sing to her, and bring her flow
ers and books and music.
Why had he changed? Was it her
fault? The tears would come to the
blue eyes now, and she was wiping
them away when the light of lamp
fell upon the ceiling through half
open door. and in another moment a
tall, broad-shouldered woman, a SER
want, evidently, entered the room.
''In the dark again, she muttered,
"and crying, too. It's a shame
that's what it is-a burning shame !
Such a pretty young critter, and he
used to make an idol of her." And
then, setting down the lamp, she add
ed aloud "Come, ma'am, come to
dinner. You know as we'll as | do
that Mr.. Powell won't be here for
hours and hours, and it's wrong of
you to injure your health in this way.
Do come down"
The young wife arose in obedience
to the summons of the old servant
for Hepsiba had been her nurse when
she was a little child, and was a
privileged person and not without
some infuence-and followed her
conductress to the dining-room, where
the snowy cloth was spread with ev-
cry tempting delicacy of the season,
and where everything, from the oval
ample coal-scuttle standing near the
fire, glittered like polished silver.
cit is not because his home is
cheerless,'' she said, again; and the
thought gave her little comfort.
She sat down, and as she ate she
listened to every sound in the street
without. The wind was rising, and
every now and then some area gate.
or unfastened shutter was flung to
with violent clang. But through
all she soon heard light step on the
pavement.
"Ah, nurse, you were wrong," she
said with bright smile, ,'Here he is"
Nurse shook her head and chOked
down the words, ''fOr the first time
in three MONTHS" which she felt COM
PEELED to utter.
The door opened and a handsome,
well-built man, with soft, brown
whiskers and hair that had golden
CLEAN upon its darkness when it
caught the light, came into the din
ing-room.
''I'm sorry l did not wait for you,
Harry" began his wife, "but nothing
is cold yet, hope, and
"Oh, it's all right. I'm glad you
didn't watt said the husband, in
careless, off-hand way, which was pc
culiarly it's own, and which had
singular charm about it. $50 on
with your dinner, Rose, I'll help my
SELF
And so he did, ,eating with a hearty
appetite, and talking, all the while,
more merrily than he had done for
long time.
1t was like old times, Rose thought,
and her eyes sparkled, and her
cheeks caught soft glow in the fire.
light as she caught her husband look
ing at her tenderly and admiringly.
'sHe loves me STILL" she said to
herself. ''Oh, am sure of it Dear
Harry he loves me still"
And so, when they were in the par
lor. alone together, she put her hand
upon his arm, as he stood before the
fire, and said to him softly; "Harrv,
you'll not be angry with me if | say
something to you-something that
was in my heart as l sat waiting for
you an hour ago?''
"Angry with you, Rose !'' he an
swered. ''Oh, no."
And he passed his arm about her
waist and drew her closely to him.
q thought she went on, 81 tho't
Harry, while / sat there, of our old
lovers walks, and the winter even
ings we spent together, when neither
for a moment were weary of each
Others and then-for | was lonely,
and little tired-I thought you did
not love to be with me, and | made
up my mind to ask you if it was so,
and, if it were. why? Oh, Harry! if
there are any faults or failings in me
that turn your heart from me, tell