Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-07-30

sonally responsible for her own trouble
born OF Harry's seeming neglect.
Her untidy appearance, her indIffer-
ence to all the little tasteful touches
which means o much TO woman who
values her husbands admiration, were
not suggested to her sorrowful, ques-
tioning spirit
These things had grown upon her so
gradually that she failed TO see wherein
she had changed as well as Harry.
So, without any scruples of con-
science, she buried the bitterness of her
soul beneath a calm exterior and re-
solved that Harry should never know
the price she had set upon his devo-
. on.
Next day Harry came home from the
office and handed Marion letter which
the postman had let upon his desk
that morning.
Marien hastily broke the seal and
read aloud the contents.
We'll, / am so glad she exclaimed,
that at least / am to have visit from
Ii en- Meldrum.
1 he two girls had been room-mates
at school for two happy years, and
lasting affection was the result. Both
had MARI ed aud settled in widely sep
arated towns, and now for the first time
in their married lives they were to meet
and spend "A few weeks together.
Marion anticipated the visit with In
tense pleasure, and SO busy was size in
preparation for the event that the trou-
ble which had borne so heavily upon
her during the months that had passed.
temporarily took its flight.
The day arrived when Helen was eX
pected. Marion had taken special
pains to have the house in order, and
pleasing improvement upon the ordl-
nary appearance was distinctly notice
able.
As the hour at which the train was
due arrived, she donned her wraps and
hurried 10 the depot TO welcome her old
friend and school-mate. The train
with its long line of heavily freighted
cars pulled slowly into the station and
Marion readily recognized. .her expected
visitor peering anxlousiy from win
dow.
Affectionate greetings were ex-
changed and the reunited friends chat
tered merrily as they wended their way
to MarIon's home.
Il hardly felt justifed,' said Helen,
Sin leaving my husband surrounded by
so many business cares, even for this
visit which promised 50 much of pleas
ure. But he insisted that 1 should
take rest and L knew no way in
which l could spend the time more
satisfactorily than in visiting with
you.'
so really / am indebted to your hus-
/ band, Helen, for this visit said Mar
ion. But, pray, why do you feel such
a responsibility in connection with his
! business? You surely have nothing to
do with it..
oh, yes, Marion, fiatter myself
that l am quite Indispensable in my
husbands office, and certainly l try to
make his cares as light as my time and
ability viii allow
The conversation then turned upon
various other topics of mutual interest,
and soon Helen was usher.d INTO Mar
lun'S cOsev paTloT
From the very moment of IIelen's
address, Marion was strongly impressed
with her attractive appearance.
Everything in connection with her
dress was so suggestive of exclusive
/ feminine taste, and yet one would
readily discover that dress. in IS pOpu-
lar sense. could claim but a compare
! lively small share of her attention.
Every movement was energy itself,
and her conversation was full of inspi-
ration, born of a cultivated and asp.r-
| iLg nature.
Helen, said Marion one day, Il have
been thinking how lightly the years of
married life have affected you. one
would think you were still a scho ! gIrl
TO Judge from your looks; and you seem
so ambi ious still. Why, l flung my
ambition 10 the wind when l was mar
ried. What need has a woman t.
bother herself about books or business
when she has some one To take care of
herf'
why, Marion, l am really aston
iShed to hear you talk III that way.
You surely are not i'll earnest; and yet
| know that what you have said is but
the echo of popular sentiment. Let me
give you my idea. We hear a great
deal nowadays about the failure OF mar
rage. The question has been repeat
edly discussed by representatives of all
classes. 1t has been carIcatured TO a
deplorable extreme until we are dis
gusted with every refertn.e e to tie
matter. 1t is the most absurd question
that was ever suggested for discussion.
And, yet, l am forced TO admit that
| there are many marriages which are
rightly termed failure; but that Is not
an argument substantiating the failure
of marriage as an institution. Every
man and woman. who enters into the
holy state OF matriInOny, assumes an
individual responsibility, and in the
conscientious appreciation of this fun
damental truth Les the very essence of
success
why, Helen, what response il.tes
can a wife have a side from the discharge
of her household duties and the rear
ing of her children?'
a very natural question, Marion, to
be sure; but these constitute tine ground
work o. domestic Lille into which the
wife should weave all The embellish-
ments which her circumstances will
admit. Oh, If women, instead of des-
pairing under heavy burdens of domes-
tic unhappiness, would begin thor
ough and impartial search for their OWL
possible failings, how many miserable
years:mi be avoIdei- Many ma q
drifts away from home simply because
his wife has ceased to be attractive. Ii
Is no fancy with him; it is an actual
condition to which he gradually be-
comes accustomed. She takes no pains
to interest herself in what is pleasing tC
him or TO make herself the center at.
traction, as she should be. If he comes
home from his daily toll weary with the
vexations of business she manifests nc
special pleasure at his return or solicI'
tude for his comfort. AMI as far a:
sympathy IN his business affairs Is con
cerned il would never occur to him lC
mention such a matter, AM where is
the man worthy the name who would
not appreciate the sweet sympathy and
counsel of his wife In the ever-recurrlng
perpleXIties of business lifeI But