The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1889-05-16
A WIFE'S DUTY.
Happy Results Of a Friends Kind
Counsel.

ais she not lovely, Rutherlordg g'
A lovers enthusiasm spoke in the
earnest tones, shone in the handsome
eyes, of the young man who asked the
question in such manner as though he
deemed answer unnecessary, yet his
quick ears detected a something in the
reply, 'Very lovely" which caused
him to start and turn to look in his
companions face.
The two friends were cemented by
bond of years, and as they were slowly
sauntering up the carefully ordered
lawn of Mr.. Howard's country seat, it
was of his betrothed daughter and the
betrothed of the younger man, of whom
they spoke. She stood awaiting their
approach, a smile of welcome lighting
her eyes, vision of youth and happi-
ness; and yet Percy Rutherford had be-
trayed, even in assent to Clarence
Somers eager question that he felt his
choice might not have been a wise one.
s'She is a mere child, Clarence, who,
it seems to me" he continued, sis as
yet scarcely fit to battle with the reali-
ties of life. 1t seems hard she should
not yet be left amid her birds and
lowers
"Ah, but shall not give her birds
Of brighter plumage, flowers of fairer
hueP No shadow shall cross my darl-
ing's path; no chill winds pierce
through the cloak of protecting love in
which shall enwrap her. l."
But merry laugh and musical tones
interrupted him, as the young girl
came forward to greet them and play
fully ehide them with their slow ap-
proaeh. Only seventeen summers have
left their faint impress upon Fay
Howard's brow, and that the new life
on whose threshold she stands is to
bring responsibilities and cares upon
her young shoulders is thought she
has never harbored. In one more week
she is to be the bride of the man on
whose arm she leans.
SO the week passed, the last week of
the old life, and she stands at last,
clad in white robes, with sunbeams
crowning the fair young head and play
ing hide and seek, in the old church, by
Clarence Somers' side, and uttered,
with scarce a thought of their solemn
meaning, the words which bind them
together for aye. Into the home which
Clarence has prepared for her she
enters with happy feet, seeing only on
every side evidences of her husbands
indulgent love in the appointments
taste and wealth have combined to give
her.
So a year passes, q bright, happy
year, and she notes not that on her
husbands brow are lines, which few
months ago were not there, that he
often avoids gay scenes, pleading some
excuse, but never letting her share the
solitary vigil, at which she sometimes
dimly wonders, but ere her wonder
ment finds words it is forgotten. Then
comes t'e crash, the knowledge, sud-
den and overwhelming, that her hus-
band is bankrupt. Plying friends
gather round his wife, and to their con-
aoling promises that still her fathers
home is open to receive her, where she
shall not miss the comforts which have
grown necessities, she yields with un-
thinking assent.
1t seems so hard that all should be
swept from her, and so with self-pity
only at her heart, Clarence resigns her
until he can again win health and for
tune. A small clerkship had been Of
Tered him in a Western town, with
promise of ultimate partnership. Could
ne ask Fay to share such lifeP So he
goes alone, never shrinking from the
oally trials which he meets. and treas
arlng with reverent care the short
notes which Fay sends, filed with
hopes that he soon may give her back
her nome, while he glances round the
one, meagerly-furnished room which
ne dlgnihes by that sacred title, and
eninks how incongruous would be her
radiant presence there, yet, ah, how
sweet to the heart which sometimes
shrinks dlsmayed at its own loneliness.
~ IS Ike CLEAN of sunshine when one
cay ne finds himself discovered by
Tefcy Rutherford, and his greeting of
hls old friend is frank and cordial.
Unfortunately old fellow" he saws
@ slsn half sigh. Il can only give you
a@l welcome, since Fay can not share
: | could not, OF course, ask her to
g lato my exile,n