The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-07-17


ceeded in preparing so nicely. no longer
tempted the hungry husband, and 1t was
always with an unwilling effort that
Marion undertook 10 please Harry in
any thing which intcrfercd with her
| comfort Yet she was wholly blind to
the possible fact that she might be per
sonally responsible for her own trouble,
born Of Harry seeming neglect
Her untidy appearance, her indiffer-
ence 10 all the little tasteful touches
which mean 80 much to woman who
values her husbands admiration, were
not suggested to her sorrowfHl, ques-
tioning spirit
These things had grown upon her so
zHsstt Thrift to see=sfSerefr
she had changed as we'll as Harry.
So, without any scruples of conscience,
She buried the bitterness of her soul e.
meath a calm exterior and resolved that
Harry should never know the price she
had set upon his devotion.
Next day Harry came home from the
Office and handed Marion letter which
the postman had left upon his desk that
morning.
Marion has tily broke the seal and read
aleudthe contents.
We'll. am SO glad she exclaimed,
that at last | am to have a visit from
Helen Medium y
The two girls had been roonl-mates at
school Tor two happy years, and a last
ing affection was the result Both had
married AID settled in widely separated
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 Within
tense pleasure, and SO busy was she in
preparation for the event that the
trouble wf1ichhad borne so heavily upon
her during the months THAT had passed,
Temporarily took its flight.
The day arrived whom Helen was ex-
peeted. Marion had taken special
pains-to have the house in order, and
pleasing improvement upon the ordi-
nary appearance was distinctly notice
able
AS the hour at which the train was
due arrived, she donned her wraps and
hurried to the depot to welcome her old
friend and school-mate. The train with
its long line OF heavily freighted cars
pulled sloMl Y-~into the---statien- and !
Marion readily recognized her expected
visitor peering anxiousfy from win
dow.
Affectionate greetings were exchanged
and the reunited friends chatted merri-
ly as they wendell their way to Marion's
home.
Il hardly felt Justified, said Helen,
sin leaving my husband surrounded by
SO many business cares even for this
visit which promised SO much of
pleasure. But he insisted thatI should
take a rest and knew no way in which
I4could spend the time more satisfac-
torily than in visiting with you"
sssse real ll5f4 indebted to your us
band, Helen, for this visit said Ma
rion But, pray, why do you feel such
a responsibility in connection with his
business? You surely have nothing to
do with it.
SO yes, Marion, I flatter myself that
4 am eftfite- Indispensable in my hus-
band S office, and certainly / try to make
his cares as light as my time and ability
viii allow
Tho conversation then turned upon
various other topics of mutual interest,
and soon Helen was ushered into Ma
rion,s-cozy parlor.
From the very moment of Helen's, adj
vent Marion strongly impressed
with her attractive appearance.
Every thing in connection with her
dress was SO suggestive of feminine
taste,-and4 Yet-on n-Womld- readily dis
cover that dress, in its popular sense,
could ciain but comparatively small
share of her attention.
Every movement was energy itself,
and her conversation was full of in
SEPARATION, born of cultivated and as
piring nature.
Helen, said Marion, one day, II
have been thinking how lightly~the
years of married life have affected you.
One would think you were still school
girl, to Judge from your looks; and you
seem so ambitious still. Why, l flung
my ambition to the wind when was
married. What need has woman to
bother herself about books or business
when She has some one to take care of
her?"
'AWhy, Marion, am really aston
ished to hear you talk in that way You
surely are not in earnest; and yet |
know that what you have said
is but the echo of popular senti-
ment. Let me give you my idea. We
hear a great deal nowadays about the
failure Of marriage. The question has
been repeatedly discussed by reprcsen-
ADMINISTRATIVE fassrssSgss IT has been car
4 Il
we are Disguised with every reference
to the matter. 1t isss the NEST absurd
question that was ever suggested for
discussion. And, yet, | am forced to
admit that thcre are many marriages
which are rightly termed failures; but
that is not an argument substantiating
the failure of marriage as an. institu-
ton. clergyman and woman who en-
tiers into the holy state of matrimony
assumes an individual responsibility,
| and in the conscientious appreciation OF
| this fundamental truth lies the very
essence of success.
why, Helen, what responsibilities
can wife have aside from the dis
charge of her, household duties and the
rearing of her chndren?' ~ -
| "a very natural question, Marion, to
be sure; but these constitute the ground
work of domestic life into which the
wife should weave all the embellish-
ments which her circumstances will adj
nit. OH, if women, instead of despair
ing under the heavy burden Of domestic
unhappiness, would begin. a thorough
and impartial search for their own pos
siblc failings, how many miserable
years might be avoided. Many man
drifts away from home simply because
| his wife has ceased to be attractive. 1t
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 to
him or to make herself the center of at
traction as She should he LIZ he comes