Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-06-01

tsszz-Ssss--,.sSs ss-assE~-A, Give her my
love, Martha" said the big, honest
faced man, as he stopped and fondly
kissed his wife good-by.
"Who is jenny was on my lips
but | checked the utterance lest
might be thought impertinently in
quisitiye. But | did wonder, for |
knew that both my host and hostess
were only children and the children of
only children. so there could be no sis
ter or cousin in the case.
Mrs. Ainsley's pen flew rapidly over
the paper, and one well-flled sheet
after the other was laid aside At
last she drew long breath, and, wip-
ing her pen, said, pleasantly:
Now my long letter is ended and
am at liberty once more. | really
must apologize for having written so
much at length when | have n guest to
cntcrtain but when ! write to Jenny
| always find 50 much to say that it is
difficult to cut my letter short"
who is Jenny" | ventured to say,
curiosity getting the better of polite
ness
Jenny? Why, thought YOU knew.
Jenny Armstrong, II mutual friend of
ours kC,cIt's and mine Robert VIC te
her last time, but he did not tell her
half she wanted to know, so | suppl
mented his letter in this.
| suppose my face BETRAYED the puz-
Zle in my mind, for Mrs. Ainsley re-
garded me attentiyely and thoughtful-
ly for Il moment, and then, laughing
merrilv, exclaimed:
"Oh, 1 see, l see,' said the blind
man; i see clearly" You wonder who
Jenny is because Robert sent his love
TO her and | took it so cooIly'
| felt the blood mounting to NY face,
but | would not equivocate, so | an
swered frankly:
Yes, it is so unusual" and then
stopped short, not knowing how to
finish my sentence; for | was not on
intimate terms with Mrs. Ainsley, al
belt her guest for the season, and did
not know just how much | might say
without giving offense.
With her quick intuition, divinin G
the cause Of my hesitancy, she prompt
ly came to the rescue, and said:
when | was young girl | was for
term of months an inmate OF house
hold which was rendered absolutely
wretchcd by the insane jealousy of the
wife aud mother of the family Her
husband was devoted to her, fond and
faithful us could be, vet she kept him
constantly in hot water through her
absurd apprehension lest she might
not be first and foremost in his thoughts
and affections. | made up my mind
then and there that If ever | cared
enough for any man to marry him. |
would have confidence enough in him
to trust him. and sclf-respect sufficient
not to make myself and him unhappy
by imagining that | had any cause to
be otherwise.
1T does seem to me" said she, wax
ing warm with the subject, "supremclv
foolish for man or woman to doubt the
constancy of good, kind, and devoted
partner; while showing distrust is I'M
qucstionably the surest way to ALLEVIATE
the affections of the suspected party
and bring about the very thing so
much dreaded.
so when Robert and | married we
talked the matter over ard agreed that
we would not Shipwreck the happiness
of our two lives on any such rock as
that, and each gave the other the full
est liberty to act kindly and courte-
ously and naturally toward our friends
Of the opposite sex.
Il would not want a husband who
could not he genuinely polite and
kindly helpful to any other woman
with whom he might have to do. |
should feel ashamed of him were he
not sufficiently likcablc to be loved in
other good women with whom he might
come in contact; and | most assuredly
should not insult him by. even in my
lnmost thought, suspcctirg him of car
ing for any of them unduly. | know
that | am queen Of his heart and moth
ing could dethrone me but conduct to
which | shall never be guilty of stoop-
ing,
so, you see, | can afford to let him
send his love to Jenny, especially when
he sends it by me" said she, smiling
tenderly; and | heartily rejoice that
she includes him in the love she sends
to us rs a family
Mrs. Ainsley's words made a deep
Impression in my mind and set me to
wondering whether hers was not the
true philosophy. As my stay in the
household heightened | grew more and
more impressed with the rare attach
ment which existed between the pair,
and the firm hold which she evidently
had on her husbands affections; and |
inclined to think that the compact en-
tered into by them Mt the outset of
their married life had much to do
with it.
Since then l have myself Witnessed
a striking example OF the opposite
state of affairs.
In this instance the lady had, in
point of personal attractions, vastly the
advantage over Mrs. Ainslev, who was
decidedly plain in feature and ungainly
in figure.
But, although fully approaching the
value and beauty of her sparkling
black eyes. abundant icttv tresses, and
tall and graceful figure. these charms
did not avail to strengthen her conf
dencc in her husbands loving fealtv.
And, although constant by nature, and
devotedly and sincerely attached to
her, her unreasonable distrust and per-
sistent suspicion and espionage so eff
fectually weakened his love for her
that he finally sough, consolation in a
platonic affection for lady who only
half-WaV returned II and Woul1 not