The national leader., 1889-02-09
MY HUSBAND.

1t was with feeling Ct inward rage
l could not repress, that stood dressed
before my m rror the nj: ht Of Mrs.
lrvington's ball, and saw reflected in its
depths the white muslin which had
done duty SO many times before. True.
the scarlet flowers fastened on the
shoulders and in my lair served as an
excellent fill to my clear, dark skin,
but when. half an hour later. stood
In The dressing-room Of our hostess,
surrounded by gay, laughing faces,
With simmer OF satlns and silk as a
background, dreaded taking off my
CLOAK, and exposing TO thess merciless
feminine eyes the same dress, altered
only by few fresh flowers. |, who
loved the beautiful so,-Who had long
ed all my life to crafty the taste which
seemed TO have been given me only to
make ME wretched, could only peer
longingly into the future, as | gazed
shudderlngly into the past, and see no
silver lining to the cloud.
Looking back now upon my sweet,
peaceful home. although could in no.
wise shut out the causes of my discon-
tent, l can recognize how little APP
preciated its freedom from care or sor-
row.
I was thinking only Of its bitter side,
wondering witty nay father had never
possessed the means his generous ma
ture would have. so delighted in, as |
sto d watching the dancers in guilt
nook. when / heard voice say:
Mrs. Irvington, | want you to pre-
sent lie to that little girl who just en-
tered the loom in white and scarlet.
Her bright eyes interest me-"
''Ah. Kate Reynolds! With pleas
ure.'
Then catching sight Of and app oach-
ing me, she gracefully went through
the usual formal phrase:
''Mr. Bayard- Miss Reynolds. Kate,
my old friend, Mr.. Bayard."
My first wonderment at his having
thus sought me out, gradually faded in
the interest his quick words and quaint
sayings awakened. The face bent
upon me, seemed old i'll my sight,
thong. ia reality he was but fifteen
years my senior, but his eyes burned
with the Gre Of eternal youth, and re-
deemed what otherwise might have
been called plainness.
It was pleasant surprise when he
discovered that he and my father were
old friends, and SO it grew a matter OF
course that he should come often to
our house, and that we should look
upon him almost as brother. But my
aInaZement was unbounded when one
day my father called me to him, and
sad:
skate, Mr.. Bayard wishes to marry
you"
| could NOT realize the words.
knew nothing of my own heart; but
somehow the way seemed opened for
me out of this narrow way Of living.
/ could see the world, enjoy it's beauties
as God had Intended / should; could
share the blessings Of wealth; could do
for nv sistsr-of whom was two years
the senior-what no one had ever done
for me: and SO | gave consent. Yet in
the weeks that followed Of busy prepar-
alton and excitement in eager delight
over the new and pretty things that
were mine at last, in keen appreciation
az the priceless gifts Mr.. Bayard actual
" shoWered upon me, had no time TO
think of him AS lover. When we met
II was 10 seek no quiet corner, to ex-
change no whispered condolences. His
prepting was the same as ever, save
1b,t he now always kissed my brow,
and that sometimes / caught his glance
txpd upon me with an intensity which
startled me. But moment later he
wonId speak IN his usual calm tone,
aud would forget 1t.
IL WAS with a sense only Of exulta-
tjon that on my bridal morn gazed with
nrjde into the mirror, which once again
rpflected my form. No shabby muslin,
M scarlet flowers, saw themselves here
- odav. but I'LL was white, pure sheeny
lit. The lustrous silk trailed far
Sah;nd me: orange blossoms cleaned in
dark hair and fastened my bridal
III. - diamonds This gift) shone from
asn,s aud throat, and gllstened in my
/ needed not the words of others
.,a, that / was beautiful. But
-, "a Inst it all was over, when !
WI raeajyed the congratulations Of my
friends and relatives, When my vanity
had neen fed to its full, and returned
nnca again to my own room, Tor the
Srst time there burst upon me the re-
ai;t, of what had done.
as Nv travelling dress lay upon the bed,
~ INKS were packed. We were to
my i .hat day for Europe. MY husband
SaI 'na .s;nass connections in England,
nau - ygere to make our home there.
anu W y leave all whom | loved, and &c
W. s,th Y. This man. MY sister stood
away 49, 10 with fearful eyes, and al
watching !. ns Dyose S forth:
sWhy did DO % aot aois ldRa sRlngf gim on
sister mel too aS nGs Young levs to nn ava1
from s!s |. a nsas e 81 sA1S @s @ssss sss
Tnen ssanesless a. on the floor. When
my eyes again 0Dsnea, 0DDsproauded e me-. ses NJ NJ
familiar @ '.lt saIing living near my bed, with al
sEIVI astt So NJ, ler sweet lace. ;. Ny