The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-11-06

her friend, for she saw that the pretty
old lady had grown pale, and trem-
bled.
Yes. my dear" went on Mrs. Mar
ley. He had 4 gay, pretty young
wife, who disliked the cares of hoHse-
keeping and it was an understood
thing between them that any gentle
man guests whom it fell to Clements
lot to entertain should be taken to some
hotel or restaurant. Well, my dear
you know how it was. The wine
flowed freely-there was no feminine
presence to restrain the false idea of
good-fellowship. Clement acquired
the fatal habit of indiscriminate drink
ing. and the upshot of it all was that
he filled drunkard's grave. Perhaps
/ was uncharitable, but l have always
thought that had his wife made her
home agreeable to her husband and
his guests things might have ended
differently"
But, Mrs. Marley cried Clara.
much shocked, this is quite a differ
ent thing!''
Il do not say that it is not Clara. l
only want to warn you against the
rock on which ms poor sister-in-law's
life was wrecked. OF what use is all
our sad and hardly won experience, if
not to caution others a little?n
Clara was silent for 4 minute or
two, and when she spoke again it was
on quite a different topic. Mrs. Mar
lev STAYED and diued with her off the
cold joint and simple salad, and went
home at about O'Clock.
And then came the long. lonely
evening, during which Clara sat by the
window, waiting and listening for
every sound, nervously impatient for
her husbands return.
''Of course, he is not the sort of man
to drink too much" she told herself,
over and over again; 'but-but l am
almost sorry | was so obstinate about
asking Mr.. Fcnwick to dinner. 1t
would not have been so very much
trouble, after all. and l think Charley
was vexed about it."
Nine o'clock struck-then 10-then
11-and Clara sprang up and began
pacing the room in her nervous ness.
Il wish he would comer' she cried,
wringing her hands. Il wish he would
come!n
Just then there was some disturb
ance in the street, and glad at all haz-
ards to escape from her own harassing
thoughts. Clara threw open the WIN
dow and thrust out her head
There was little crowd at the cor
ner of the street, and she could dis
tinctly hear the jeering voices of some
of the little street Arabs crying out:
''Its only drunken man! Halo,
mister, you'll find Your hat in the gut
ter! Can't you tell where you live?
Go and ask an otiicer!'
Clara's head turned cold as ice
Could it be possible? Was this poor
staggering creature, whose uncertain
step afforded amusement to mob of
boys. her noble husband? Had he so
far forgotten himself and her? And if
SO, at whose door lay the fault?
Nearer and nearer came the little
crowd. Clara drew in her head and
closed the window She could not
confirmed. She stopped her ears; she
buried her face in the pillows of the
sofa.
Why. Clara, little wife, what's the
matter?n
1t was Charley's voice-not the
maudlin accents of semi-intOXication
but the full. deep tones of the man she
felt she could yet honor, as well as
love and obey. She looked up with
little hysterical laugh.
"Oh, Charley, was frightened. A
drunken man in the street you
know"
Yes. Ipassed him. A policeman
has just walked him off to the station
house. SO you were frightened, eh?n
Clara'S face was radiant as she turned
up the low jet of gas.
Il am so glad you have come, Char
ley!' said she. Il have had great
many compunctions of conscience this
afternoon, because | didn't make Mr..
Fenwick welcome to the best had in
the house instead of sending you to
restaurant"
1--WE went to Lemonde's." said
Charley. The dinner was stylish
enough, but nothing better than you
could have given us at home"
And, Charley" added Clara. softly.
1.-THE next time you invite friend to
dine with you, you may bes certain
that my welcome will be ready
That's my own dear little Clara"
said Charley. And the hearty satisfac-
ton in his face was reward for any
sacrifice she might be called upon to
make. "A fellow likes to feel, you
know. when he meets an old chum,
that he has Il home to ask him to, and
a wife that will meet him with smile"
But | am sorry about Mr.. Fen
wick?"
Never mind. He will be in town
again one of these days, and then We'll
show him what homemade dinner is
-eh, Clara?"
And Clara's smile answered him.
She had her lesson. She was not
likely to forget it.-Ecening World.