The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-10-30
HOW SHE HELPED HIM.
Through Her Efforts Her Husband
Was Saved from Ruin.

"Wel, tell me about Henry Wood
ford. How did that match turn out?"
bad enough thus far. He is the
same delightful, good-natured fellow.
as of old; always ready to do q kind or
courteous act. But this woman will be
the ruin of him.
How? What is the troubles"
''rhe trouble is, she fancies herself
IN invalid, lies around, does nothing
but read Charlotte Braeme and Bertha
MClay-has every foolish whim graft
fed and, in fact, | don't see how she
stands it,
Did she have any property"
Not q cent. 1t was an out-and-out
love match. She has expensive tastes,
is INDECENT and extravagaut. Why, his
carriage hire is big item of ITSELF
She couldn't possibly walk a block,
you know"
Perhaps she is really a sufferer"
Nonsense; she had that fall, you
remember, at the skating-rink. At
first her spine was thought to be Sc
riously injured. Woodford paid out
several hundred dollars toshave her
cured, and the doctors discharged her,
well, they said. But it has pleased her
to drag around. a load on his hands.
ever since. 1t is thought that he is
much crippled financially; I know
positively that he has lately mortgaged
his interest in the firm. If he can't
manage to make or save five thousand
dollars by the end of this year, it is all
up with him; and he will never do it
at his present rate OF living"
why doesn't he tell her? Has she
no sense or feeling at all?'
None, except for herself; and he is
so fond of her that he will indulge her
to his very last cent
Il thought he looked little down
as he passed us this morning"
Eyes, he is beginning to realize that
he has gone too far, and, poor fellow,
it is Juggling at him hard"
Did she hear Alright? Was it of her,
Eleanor Wo0dford, that they were
talkingP Swiftly she sped out of the
dark, heavily -curtained back parlor of
the stylish clearinghouse and into her
room, gorgeous alcove apartment on
the first floor. She could not mount
the stairs on account of her weak
spine. Weak spinep She forgot all
about it as she paced the floor, angry
tears gushing from her large brown
eyes. 1t was shameful-it was wicked
TO be so abused. She had never in
her whole petted life been found fault
with. AS to money, what did she
know about it? Her father, before his
failure and death, had always gratified
her. Her husband had never made
any difference. These were friends of
his. Her bitter sobs ceased, and her
wounded vanity gradually lost itself in
better thoughts. Did all the world
think OF her like the scathing criti-
cisms of those two chance callers, who
thus killed the time of waiting for
some one to come down to them? She
began to feel glad that she had over
head it, The merest accident had
sent her into the back parlor. Was it
true? What could she do? Her dear,
kind husband in trouble and she the
cause. Oh. she must help him some
how. Long she sat buried in thought,
and when the well-known step sounded
at the door her face was radiant with
new resolve.
lie came to her large easy chair with
II step somewhat weary, but his kiss
was as usual. IAN right, Nellie. Had
a good dayP Why, you look-let me
see-how do you look?" he said, cheer
lily.
"a look as if | love my big boy very
much; don't I?" she responded, mer-
rily.
His answer was another kiss, and as
he turned towards his dressing closet,
her heart ached with unspoken ten
derness. Her dinner was brought up.
She was not considered strong enough
to sit at table For this service an ex-
ira charge was made.
Later, when he opened the evening
paper she sat and watched him.
Surely those lines of care were new
now that he was not smiling fondly
upon her. Oh, foolish, selfish wife!
Rising gently, her long, handsome
tea-gown trailing behind her, she
stood beside him, one slender white
hand upon his shoulder. Then play
fully putting by the paper, she sat
down upon his knee.
We'll, dear, what now? Another
new gown" he asked, with his old
sweet smile.
sho pressed her lips in II slow, rev.
sgsas'al fashion upon the broad Hhlte