River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-04-03
HER BROTHER PHIL.
A Little Conspiracy That Proved
Entirely Successful

Edith Forrest lifted pair of pretty
blue eyes to her husbands face-pretty,
soft eyes. with wistfulness all among
their velvety shadows
at is so lonesome of an evening,
Harry, Please stay at home tonight or
take me with you for change, DEAR"
Mr.. Forrest smiled in very superior
sort of way-a sort Of patroniZing. in
1ulgent way, as though it was the height
Of absurd wOmanish folly for Edith TO
have made the remark.
THAT is nonsense, Edith. You know
perfectly well how ridiculously impOs-
sible it is for me TO be either always at
home or take you out somewhere You
must remember that because a man is
married he does not expect never TO be
anywhere but where his wife is-if she
is the sweetest, prettiest little girl in
the wOrld,''
He bent forward to kiss her, and Edith
smiled-a suspiciOusly tear-fiayOred
smile it was. however.
but do get so tired of staying so
much by myself, Harry l am almost
stranger in London, and am sure there
are only two ladies in the house whom /
Know, and / don't like 70 be always run
ming to their rooms. Harry-really
lid not think you would get tired of my
society sO-sO-sOOn- IL hasn'. been
three months yet since We were-mar-
ried-and-"
And little Mrs Forests sObs and
tears overcan.e her entirely. and Harry's
face grew vexed and stern
You are romancing. Edith You
know perfectly we'll / have never
thought Of such a ridiculous thing, and
do not want 10 see such childishness
on your part"
And to further enforce his assumption
Of marital dignity, Harry Forrest walked
out and shut the door after him very
emphatically-
Then, Of course, Edith's tears came in
good earnest
Its too bad. too bad, Harry is get
ting tired of nv sOcieey. / know he is,
and ] wish wish-I had never married
and left home, where every thing was
so gay and pleasant. and there never
were long. lonely evenings Oh, DEAR
II wasn't a very good thing for Edith
10 be tbinking-this regret for life,
was, had never been so beautiful and
glorified until Harry's love came to her.
But il was pitiably true that her hus-
bands neglect of her Of late had more
than once made such thoughts. more
than once had brought hot tears of
wounded pain and regret TO the blue
eyes that other young men than Harry
Forrest had thought worth their while
TO have smile in theirs; and Edith was
very lonely.
The great, fashionable boardino house
TO which Harry had brought her. and in
stalled her in one Of its most elegant
rooms, was not such home as she had
been accustomed TO. where every thing
was gay cheer and girlish frOlic.
TIE bOarders were, of course, utter
strangers, and haughtily exclusive
Edith was reserved and shrinking.
and, with the exception II Mrs Thistle,
a gentle little widow. who was almost
as shy as Edith herself, and Mrs. Worth
ingtOn. who was jolly and gay as she
could be. little Mrs. Forrest had not an
acquaintance in all the city.
Its too bad" she sobbed bitterly, as
she lay on the little crimson silk lounge,
with her face all tear-fiushed and her
rosebud mouth quivering. Il can al
most see them at home nOw-Sue. and
Jennie. and Sill, and the parlor lighted
up. and perhaps Howard singing one Of
his lovely tenor solos TO Sues accom-
paniment, and Frank Morrison will
come in. and they'll have a delicious
waltz. and then Phil will speak Of NE
dear. darling old Phil, Tie always
thought more Of me than any one else
ever did-even Harry Forrest. wish
i hadn't ever married him, and then
There was a little expression Of dis
content and indignation coming On her
Iips-memOries that would not bear
comparison with her present gilded
loneliness called them. and il wasn't a
good sight TO see on pretty married
wOman's face.
For an hour after Harry had gone out
Edith lay on the couch, all sorts Of
thoughts running riot in her brain.
until they were dissipated sharply by a
rap on her door. and card that sent all
expression out Of her face and eyes ex-
cept surprise. that quickly changed into
an excitement OF delight
ItAA the Etutltlu1A WAAA * ANNA Al
moment" she said 70 the servant
Then she few 10 the dressing mirror
and saw that she was in q presentable
condition. and then went down stairs
with a smile and three unspOken words
on her lips.
Dear old PHIL"
Three weeks later Mr.. Forrest came
in somewhat unexDectedly, just in time
tosee Edith standing by the win low kiss
ing her hand to gentleman driving by
il a carriage-s handsome. ashing-
locking fellow, with bold. black eyes
and dropping mustache-just in time 70
see the sparkle in his wife's eyes and
the heightened color on her cheeks
well. who is he?"
lie asked the question so suddenly
that Edith gave little cry of surprise.
oh, Harry, didn't know you were
hsrel How you started me-"
-peuhtlsss. But nat doesn't explain