The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-07-07

The History Of a Prudent
Marriage,
by MISS UNLOCK.
CHAPTER III

CHAPTER III
The two partners and their wives sat at
what was intentionally made a small FAM
lily dinner of four only, for the discussion
CT some accidental business of import
ance which concerned the firm of John
Bowerbank q Co. This, however, was de-
fcrred until the ladies should retire,
though the two Liverpool merchants could
not quite forbear, even through game and
sweets, to let their conversation flow into
is accustomed cham Ell ships and ship
lin@, cargoes and consignmentS, cotton
looking up" and indigo pretty firm,
that mysterious phraseoiogy which sounds
30 odd outside the commercial circle.
Such and such fragments of their lords
talk fell upon the two ladies' ears. Mrs.
fnoWle pricked up hers, for she was a
shrewd body, and from her very marriage
day had flung herself heart and soul into
her Edwards business, until now she was
almost capable OF going on Change her.
self. But Lady Bowerbank listened idly,
or listened not at all, with an equally
weary and abgtracted air. She went
through with more than fine-ladv indiffer-
ence the need lduties of her post as host
ess. And continually, in the pauses of
conversation, AMI often during the very
midst Of it, her eyes wandered from the
table where she sat to the eXpanse of rip
ping, suu7hiny sea or river, tor 1t was
bounded by LONG, low walls and hillocks of
sand-away, away to the dim, sunset col
ored west
They were dining, not in their magnif-
cent dining-room at Birkenhead, but in
Que of those seaside houses which line the
Waterloo shore, whittier for change the
utmost chance mis- STAY home nature
ever dreamed Of Sir John had come for
slor
body or other of his acquaintance having
dwet a little strongly ON the extremely
pale creeks of Lady Bowerbank; for he
was a kind husband: he never grudged
her any pleasure or any good that was
plainly suggested to him, though he was
not acute at dlyining her need of it.
Lady Bowerbank had made no OBJ
lection to the PLAN all places were much
alike to her; yet Sic rather liked this
place, where the salt breeze was not too
strong. 1t amused her TO wander about,
and watch the rabbits playing among the
sand-hills, or to lex up baskets full of the
exquisite tiny shells, for which this shore
IS famous. Not that she was concho-
logically inclined, or knew anything in the
world about them, save that they were very
pretty. Also that long ago, in the days
which seemed TO belong to another life
than this, somebody had once brought her
a ha"dfUl of them, which she had kept in
her work box-indeed. kept still for that
matter. 1t was 10 harm; she had a way Of
keeping things, even trihes, so long that
from mere force of habit she kept them on
still, often for years and years.
The great popularity Of her character
was that, though weak to resist, she was
exceedingly persistent to retain. Such
anomalies are not rare. but they are the
most difficult to deal with, aud the saddest
II all ones experience of life.
She made no effort to entertain Mrs.
knowle indeed, that good lady always en-
tertained herself-but sat idly looking out
of The open window, Watching the silent
ships creep up and down along the Mersey,
or the long mysterious trail made by the
smoke of some yet unseen steamer, the
faint puff puff" of whose engines was
heard for miles off across the quiet river
far away, even round the curve of the
noylnke shore.
So sat She gentle Emily Bowerbank-
IN ler lilac pale silk, her rich jewelry, and
beautiful lace hanging over her thin white
bnnds-a pretty sight, even though she
was so pale, and great contrast to large,
rosy Mrs. hnowle, Respondent IN claret-
colorc2 satin. and with brooch on her
bosom almost as big as her own heat
Neither conversed, but paid the CUSTOM
ary tribute of silence to their respective
lords, till both were startled by SER
tcnce. which, indeed, made Mrs. Knowle
color up as if she had been young girl
IN her teens, and then sit mute with her
eyes fixed on the plate.
iy-the-by, knowle,' said Sir John,
leaning back, and folding his hands with
the contented aspect of man who, always
temperate, yet keenly enjoys the after din
ner hour of wine and dessert, Il have al
ways forgot to ask you, what has become
% tict man Stenhouse, who left us-was
IT two or four years ago?-vcry much
against my wish, you remember. You got
him, think, into a house at Bombay"
les, Sir John, replied Mr.. Knowle, a
liiuo abruptly. Pass the wine, Emma, my
rs he there still? and how is he getting
Well enough, l believe. He sometimes
writes TO US, though not often. Sir John,
IL c'aret is really capital"
SO think. But" added he. with the
consistency of an unsensitlve man. who
VIII not be driven from his point, TO re-
turn TO Stenhouse. l wish, when YOU write,
you would tell him Mr.. Jones is leaving
u. In plain truth, there is not a man |
wouldlIk as senior clerk so much as Stem
house-Joln, wasn't his name-John
Steuhouse?"
yes. Capital fellow he was, muttered
Mr: hpowle- Accurate as clock work,
anu conscientious and persistent as"
III trouble you for your nut cracker.
Ldward, said his helpmeet, with warn
Ing frown.
Indeed, continued Sir John. with a
way h had of sticking to his point throurb
all Interruptions, Il fully gree with Won
hnowle. And what was about 10 saw was
this ut II you still keep up acquaintance
with the young man, could you not sug-
gest 10 him to return home and ra-epter
orr houSeI We would make il worth his
w.tile. Ms
Il don't fancy he'd come. Sir John. He
he d'slkes England. But I'll think the
matter over, and speak to yeu about It to-
morrow = 20
Very we'll" And Sir John beIpa5 hin,
self TO another glass of claret, and harrn
talking of something else.
Then and not TIL then. the ladies roso.
tie guest looking hot and red. the hostess
pile as death. Emily stood aside Ia LEI
let Mrs. knowle pass through the door
which was politely held open by Sir John
With whispered Send US in some coffsa
soon, my dear" but when that coed la6v