The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-08-10
TAKEN AT HIS WORD.

-'N.s-N a tNaAAcA NthN - III On LLc lOuukc
In her pretty bedroom, crying and look
ing very unhappy. And yet she had been
married only six months, and TO such n
nice, handsome man, rs all the young
ladies declared, that surely she ought to
have been happy with him.
And so she had been until, to tell the
truth, Mr.. Bob Palmer, forgetting, for
seeming TO forget, that he was a married
man, had recently taken 10 flirting with
these very young ladies, ut all the parties
in Middleton, leaving his wife to take
care OF herself.
Surely it was enough to make any six
mouths wife cry, especially one so sensi-
tive rs Nellie.
Not that Mr.. Robert Palmer loved his
little wife n bit less than on the day OF
his marriage, neither that Nellie sus-
pected him OF 1t. or for moment doubted
his morals any more than she did his con-
stancy- But Mr.. Palmer wasa gay young
man, and loved to amuse himself and to
be amused.
He liked the society OF pretty and lively
women, both married and single; and, in
n word, he liked TO fiirt and saw no harm
in it. So, while he hung over the young
ladies' chairs, laughing and paying gay
compliments, his wife would be looking
over photograph album, or conversing
solemnly with some old gentleman, or no
ticing some shy and awkward child while
pretending TO be unconscious of her hus-
bands proceedings.
Not that she was compelled to enjoy
herself in this solemn way, she usually so
bright and pretty and agreeable, but she
had no heart for anything else now. OF
late all her liveliness and chattiness had
left her. and she answered absently and
smiled liStlessly, and If compelled to
dance or sing, did so out of time and out
of tune 10 her husbands great vexation.
1t is thus that many n young wife set
ties down into dull and faded old wo-
man, while her husband grows hand
somer and heartier, and wonders what Gu
earth could have changed her.
"Hallo! been crying a-1in, i declarer'
exclaimed Mr.. Bob Palmer, suddenly
ceasing his little whistle, as he entered
the room, on returning from his Office
What's the matternow, Nellie, Canary
refused to sing, or Madame Viglini not
put flowers enough in your bonnet9"
"Oh, Bob. how can youi' sobbed Mel
lie, beginning afresh.
Look here. Ellen" said her husband,
sitting down on the lounge, and speaking
more seriously; Il don't like this at all.
l never come home that your eyes are not
red aud swollen with crying What have
you TO cry about, should like TO knowp
It's an insult to me 10 CosnivelliuGabou
the house in this fashion. and moping
away in corners, looking sulleu and mis-
er1hlc, rs you did last night at MacSlin's.
Why, people viii think me perfect do
mestic tyrant'
All. Bob, don't speak sol I can't help
it, indeed. ! do feel 80 miserable. You
make me so, Bob"
"Il Well, that is rich, Perhaps you
will be good enough 10 let me know of
what enormity I've been guilty, that has
turned you into 4 modern NiObcf'
Nothing really wrong, dear; but, OH
IL you knew how much wife thinks Of
her husbands love, and"
Here poor Nellie broke down again.
Mr.. Plmer's eyes opened very wide
'Whew,' whistlcd he; ''if this isn't
really absurd. So, she's jealous"'
Indeed. no, dear Bobl But-but-''-
she could hardly speak for the choking in
her throat-''you can't understand the
pride woman takes in having her hus
band treat her with affection and res ect
before every one, or how it humbles and
mortiies her To be neglected by him, and
have other women consider themselves
Ler rivals-like Isabel Baden"
Mr.. Bob Palmer laughed outright, and
then he grew angry.
OF &c an Lt.uEl lllNAt AoQl. -NtlAlNs
ne said. ''As if Isabel Baden were any
ching TO me beyond pleasant and agree
able young woman 10 amuse ones self
with at party. Nonsense!"
''She don't think so. " said Nellie; "and
and the others don't think so. They all
think YOU are getting tired OF your wife,
and Isabel fiatters herself that she has
cut me out, and is trying to let people
see it,"
"FiddIesticksr' said Bob, rising impa-
tiently from the lounge. Pm aston
ished AZ you, Nellie, and had really given
you credit for more sense as we'll rs tenn
per-" he added severely II wish you'd
amuse yourself in society, as / do, in
stead of moping about in this fashion.
You can't expect 10 have me tied to your
apron strings; and I'd much rather see
you flirting a little yourself than skulk-
ing away in holes and corners, like n
spider, watching your butterfly of a hus-
band 10 see if you can detect him in do
ing wrong. You make me quite ashamed
OF you, declare"
Mr.. Palmer took his hat and walked
out OF the roorz, with an air Of mingled
dignity and injured innocence. His wife
sat up, wiped away her tears and unused
awhile, with eyes flashing and cheeks
flushed with wounded and indignant
feeling.
Yes" she said TO herself, "since he
has requested it, l will amuse myself 'as
he does, and see how he Hkesitl Ashamed
OF me, is he? And he did not use to be so
when 1 was gay and happy. Oh. Bob, if
You only kakyv how loved your
And once more, despite her resolutely
closing her eyes and pressing her fingers
upon them, the tears would come.
There was to be that very evening, n
party at Col. Johnston's, and Nellie took
particular pains in dressing herself for it.
She had been of late rather careless on
this point, and was now rewarded for her
extra care by her husbands glance of ap-
proval and his remark that the pink silk
was becoming to her. In consequence
her eyes and cheeks were brighter, and
her spirits more buoyant, as 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, n
brilliant, confident girl, who tried to en-
snare him before his marriage; and, at
the same moment, a gentleman addressed
Mrs. Palmer.
She answered mechanically, unable to
withdraw her attention fIom her hus-
band and his companion, until seeing
something in Miss Baden's glance at her
self which she did not like, her pride
again awoke, and she turned, as with
sudden determination, to the gentleman
AZ her side.
He was n recent conner TO the town,
very pleasant and handsome, and Nellie
Palmer forthwith began TO try and make