The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-11-06
A YOUNG W|FE'S LESSON.

Clara Arden stood coloring and evil
IDENTIFY annoyed. in the midst of her
pretty little drawing room, while her
husband leaned against one of the
puffed damask chairs. pulling uncon-
sciously at his long beard.
1t won't be much Clare" said he.
"Fenwick is too sensible fellow to
expect any great performances from so
young a housckeeper as you are"
That's all nonsense!" said Mrs.
Arden.
Yes, but Clare, darling"-
There's no use in wasting any fur
ther argument on the question:" said
Clara, setting her lips together.
When YOU invited him to dinner
without consulting me, you made a
very great mistake"
But what am l to do? I've asked
him and there is no alternativew
Yes, there is. Do as other gentle
men do. and invite MIN to some res
taurant-that is, if you must keep this
headlong engagement"
But | never did such a thing in nv
life before!" said perplexed Charley.
And | hope YOU never will again!"
kClOi iNtt AlIS' &hluCii. Will SouiC
bity. That is. so far as inviting peo-
pie without any sort of forethought
goes"
The color rose to Charles Ardeu's
cheek.
Glare" said he, IF YOU had asked
a dozen people here. my only thought
would be how best to welcome them"
You are not housekeeper, said
Clara. coldly. with a sick cook and
everything in disorder"
"Pshawm said Mr.. Arden as he
went out closing the door behind him
with more emphasis than was abso-
lutely necessary.
Men are so selfish. so mconsider-
ate!" she said to herself LAS if |
would brave the criticism of Oscar
Fenwick, who has dined at Paris res
taurants, and knows half dozen aris-
tocratic families, where they keep men
cooks and buffers and regular dining
room servants. It's quite out of the
question, and so Charles may as we'll
understand first as last. If Bridget
hadn't been i'll with the intermittent
fever, l might, perhaps, have tried to
get up dainty little dinner; but as it
is, no one but a man would expect it
of me-"
So Mrs. Arden adjusted her pretty
shining braids of brown hair in the
glass. aud nestled down in the corner
of the sofa. to forget the wearIsome
trials and vicissitudes of real life in the
pages of the morning papers.
1t was late in the afternoon when .
visitor was announced, with rather
startling abruptness. by the red-armed
maid-of-all-work, who was trying to
supply the vacant place of the disabled
Bridget according to the best of her
ability.
Please, mem, it's Mrs. Marleyn'
Clara started up half ashamed of be-
ing caught in her morning robe so late
in the day.
If it WAS any one but ycu, Mrs.
Marley" said she, laughing and blush
ing. II should apologize for my short
comings. As it is, you are just in time
to take off Your things and stay to din
ner with me. l am alone tonight,
and your society will be real char
ity."
Why. where is your husband?"
asked the visitor in surprise.
Dining out"
"Where?"
Il don't know. The fact is. he met
an old college friend this morning,
and in burst of inconsiderate hospi-
tality-so like 4 man, you know-in-
vited him to dinner OF course. |
refused to ratfy the invitation. What
could l do, with Bridget ill in bed? SO
I tnll k,,1, h.. -, f,.,n @o
restaurant or some such place. He
assented with rather bad grace, l
must confess; SO. here | am, alive"
Mrs. Marley was pretty. fair COM
plexioned elderly lady. with hair as
white as snow. One of those gentle.
helpful, motherly sort of persons, who
are invaluable to their friends. She
shook her head as she listened to Mrs.
ArdeS'S story.
Don't you think l did right?" Clara
asked impulsively. just consider
how l am situatedr'
1T would have been some trouble
and responsibility" said Mrs. Marley,
Ito superintend the preparation of
such meal as you would like your
husbands guest TO sit down to, but l
think l should have advised you to
try"
But why9"
In the first place, as a compliment
to your husband"
Clara shrugged her shoulders.
I'VE are old married people now"
said she. Only think. it is nearly
three wears since our wedding day
and all this sentimental billing and
cooling is worn out"
Real sentiment between husband
and wife should never wear out" said
Mrs. Marley. mildly. Depend upon
it, my love. your husband will appre-
ciate any little attention now quite as
much as in the days of your engaged
life. But that is not all. Let me tell
you an experience of my own. l had
a brother once-a very dear brother
He died of delirium tremens."