The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-02-16
ing his wife's eye he smiled and whispered:
sEnioying yourself, 6ell?"

Nv
stood, whispering soft nothings to senti-
wandered to his wife. How pretty she
how coquettishly she was exchanging light
repartee with that flirting fellow. Tom Hair
rison. And all the time the handsome
stranger never left her slde It 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 ad miration.
Nellie Palmer had never sung more
sweetly or danced more gracefully than on
this evening.
'Don't you think, Nell, you have danced
enough for one night,' said her husband to-
ward the close of the evening, "for mar
gied woman?" he added.
"Perhaps so,'' she answered, cheerfully,
"but I've enjoyed myself so muchl Really,
I almost forgot I was married woman,
and felt like 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 downstairs.
"That remarkably handsome man, with
the expressive dark eyes, do you mean"
"I never noticed his eyes or that he was
at all handsome he answered stihay.
"Oh, I thought you meant Captain
Lowell, Of the artillery. All, here he is
just one moment, dear, quite forgot.
And Nellie spoke a few words TO the
Captain in passing: of which her husband
could distinguish only something about
"tl,e book"
"Upon my word" he said, sarcastically,
"you appear very intimate already"
Because love, we've discovered that
we're congenial spirits. We like the same
things: books. music, scenery; indeed,
every thing, 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
s'Soul fddlestick!''
"You never did have much sentiment,
Bob," sighed Nellie, in an injured tone.
"Sentiment be hanged! Come, Nellie,
be quick with your wrappinss. 1t has been
stupid evening, and shall he glad TO get
home and to bed"
day he found his wife, not crying, as be-
practicing new soag.
she said, "and have promised to sing this
for him at Mrs. Ca1npbelrs.''
tsAh!" he answered, with an expression
Of indifference; and, as his wife again
struck up with the FIRST few notes, he NUT
tered to himself: ssContound Captain
Lowell"
At Mrs. CampbaIps Captain lowell was
again in attendance upon pretty Mrs.
Palmer, and then other gentlemen dis
covered her attractions, pl4uancy, coquet-
tishness and hirtableuess, and so in q very
few weeks Mrs. Palmer was a belle. She
did not seem Ia the least to care who her
husband was attending upon; and, indeed,
ne could rarely get a word with her al all
when at the gay assemblies which they
freouen tiv attended Ee sometimes gave
her hint that she WIS quo longer GIRL"
and that his was her husband; bus she only
laughed and sold there was no harm done,
and that she WAS enjoying herself so de-
lightfully, and felt herself more a belle
thar ever when a girl-wh1ch was true, be-
cause she had not flirted then, being
absorbed heart and soul in Bob Palmer.
But now it was Captain Lowell who ap-
peared chiefly to occupy her thoughts as
well as a good part Of her time. She sang
and danced with him, she read the books he
sent. and SO frequent were his visits, so
constant his atten tions, that al last Mr..
Paimcr's wrath burst forth,
"Ellen,' he said, as he one day closed the
door on the departing Captain, II really
can not permit this to go on any longer.
Your conduct to me IS most unexpected
most astonishing. You are by far too init
stantly in nay house, and last evening he
,.>ft Il ft,,>
two hours the center Of group Of chatter
Ing, grinping ropinjays, like himself"
"Why, Bob, you yourself blamed me for
playing wall flower and spider and said
sou were ashamed of me-"
sst am more ashamed OF you uow," he re-
tortea, severely.
ssNoy, GEAR, that is quite unreasonable of
YOU. Didn't you tell me that would please
YOU by enjoying myself and flirting little7
You know you did," added Nellie, reproactl-
fully; sand now that am obeying you you
get jealous"
jealous! Not 1! But ara offended and
insulted-yes, and Disguised as well. If
only you could hear the remarks about
yourself and that Loyell-''
"Similar to those / heard in regard to you
and Miss Baden, presume" SAID his wife.
uWhatis Miss BADEN to meg" he demand
ed. angrily.
sand what is Captain Lowell to met"
"You encourage him, madam You dirt
with him.
tAs you do with Isabel Baden"
"a man may DO what is not permissible
In woman"
"Ah, that is itlr said Nellie, with her old
sigh. s'Ycu may neglect a wlfe-u1ay wear
ont her heart and life with auguish-may
expose her to the pity OF ridicule of all &C.
quaintance by showing devotion to another;
end she, poor slave, must not presume to
turn. as may even the trampled worm, but
must bear all in meek silence, never inn
ploriug mercy lest she should offend her
lord. But have had enough of this, Bob,
and now as You do to me will do to you. IL
you 20 on flirting, so will I. know you
don't care bit more for Isabel Baden than
1 do for Captain Lowell; but will not be
neglected aud BUNDLED in tue sight OF the
whole world. I an not slave, but a wife,
and demand the honor due to me.
Her mood was new enc to her husband.
She sat erect and proud, looking him stead
ily in the face with bright, clear eyes, In
whose depths he could still read great ten
derness, anu he at once comprehended the
whole matter.-N. Z. Sun.