Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-03-28
A WIFE'S DUTY.
Happy Results Of a Friends Kind
Counsel.

us she not lovely, Rutherford"
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, Every lovely" which caused
him to start and turn to look in his
companions face.
The two friends were cemented by d.
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, u smile of welcome lighting
her eyes, n 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.
''She is a mere child, Clarence, who,
it seems to me-" he continued, ''is 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
flowers"
"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 chide them with their slow ap-
proach. Only seventeen summers have
left their faint impress upon Fay
Howards brow, and that the new life
on whose threshold she stands is to
bring responsibilities and cares upon
her young shoulders is a 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 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 or
every side evidences of her husbands
indulgent love in the appointment:
taste and wealth have combined to give
her.
So a year passes, bright happy
year, and she notes not that on hel
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. Ther
comes the crash, the knowledge, sud
den and overwhelming, that her hus
band is g bankrupt. Plying friends
= gather round his wife, aud to their cea
soling promises that still her father
home is open to receive her, where sh,
shall not miss the comforts which hav,
grown necessities, she yields with un
thinking assent.
1t seems so hard that all should b.
swept from her, and so with self-pit,
only at her heart, Clarence resigns he
until he can again win health and for
tune. A small clerkship had been of
fered him in Western town, wit
promise of ultimate partnership. Coul'
he ask Fay to share such life? So h
goes alone, never shrinking from tn
daily trials which he meets. and treas
uring with reverent care the shor
notes which Fay sends, filled wit
hopes that he soon may give her bac
her home, while he glances round tn
one, meagerly-furnished room whic
he dignifes by that sacred title, an
thinks how incongruous would be he
radiant presence there, yet ah, ho'
sweet to the heart which sometime
shrinks dismayed at its own lonelines.
1t is like a CLEAN of sunshine when on
day he finds himself discovered b
Percy Rutherford, and his greeting {
his old friend is frank and cordial.
unfortunately old fellow" he say
with half sigh, Il can only give yo
half welcome, since Fay can not shai
it ] could not, of course, ask her
90 into my exile"
ibid she not wish to?"
"Poor little girl! think she scarcel
knew what she wished. The crash W;
so sudden and overwhelming, ever
body advised that she should stay; an
/. too. could not be so selfish as to wis
her with me-"
What God hath joined togeth'
let no man put asunder' Solemn word
Clarence. solemnly spoken. They al
voa and she are wrong. Where is
woman's place if not by her husband
sidee You said truly on that day. "
nav remember, that birds of bright
plunage and flowers Of fairer h
should be her lot and 20 when u