The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-07-17
HELEN's VISIT.
How Marion Became Aware of
Her Failings.

almost eight o'clock!'
Harry Benton hurriedly replaced his
watch and laid aside the book he had
been reading.
Marion, think III go down town a
little while. Do you mind?"
The young wife, sitting at the oppo-
site side of the table, glanced up from
her delicate embroidery. z-----.----
eyes, Harry, | mind; but what does it
matter to you? ] have been left alone
great many evenings this winter and
suppose can survive your absence to-
night, as have done before"
"Why, Marion, you are not angry?"
''Oh, no, not in tho least. Go If you
like"
Harry carelessly kissed His wife good
bye and hurRfed out int darkness
and cold of the winters H., at.
Marion listened to his departing foot
steps with an unusual feeling of loneli-
ness, and sighed as she remembered the
: days OF their early married life, when
Harry was content to spend his leisure
evenings with her, and seemed always
eager to contribute to her happiness in
every way.
The more she pondered the sadder
she became, until bitter tears fell thick
and fast Upon her work. Sire felt THAT
Harry was slowly but surely drifting
away from her affections, and she shud-
dered as she thought OF the hol1owness
OF life without him-the mockefy of ex-
istence without his love.
When Harry Benton sought and won
the hand of Marion Bradley, She vas
the acknowledged belle of Fairfield.
Harry was promising young lawyer Of
sound moral principles, flattering bust
ness prospects and generally conceded
to be in every way worthy of DIR. Brad
ley's yonng daughter.
Unfortunately, Marion had never
known mothers tender care. The in
exhaustible love of the maternal nature
she was not permitted to know, and yet
DR. Bradley had never forgotten his
swife's dying injunction: Train the
child in the way she should go; love
her and care for her always as L would
have done"
The good housekeeper, who for so
many years had presided over the doc
tors household, had, with tho kindest
intentions shielded Marion from every
thing in the nature of work save that
which she was disposed to undertake of
her own free will.
Marion had inherited much OF her
mothers beauty and was exceedingly
attractive Vivacious in conversation,
always light-hearted and full of good
humor, she was universal favorite
among her young associates, and, as she
stepped intoethe arena of married life,
one and all predicted a successful and
happy career for Lawyer Benton and
his fair bride.
The marriage occurred on New Years
eve, and short wedding journey fol-
lowed.
A cozy little cottage in desirable
part OF the town was the wedding gift of
DIR. Bradley to his daughter and, during
the temporary absence of the new
ly mated pair, the entire house
was furnished ready for occupancy
The doctors faithful housekeeper
whose precious charge Marion had
been since her birth, seeming
-ly anticipated even the most-insir=
-nifcant needs of the new household,
and nothing was left undone that could
contribute to Marion's convenience and
comfort.
The oil Of the parental affection had
been freely sprinkled upon the waters,
and Harry Benton and his young bride
set sail upon a smooth sea unrufiled by
a waye of care or trouble.
They were Supremacy satisfied with
each others love and happiness reigned
as queen of the new home for many
months Every thing about the'house
was SO bright and attractive as Harry
and Marion inspected it for the first
time, that they were quite, charmed
with the idea Of houseReepiSg. and de-
cided at once that it wonld be far pre-
ferable to boarding, as they had con-
; templated doing. Marion suggested that
she was equal to the task of both mis-.
tress and servant, and it was agreed
that she should attend to the household
duties without the questionable assist,
ance of a servant.
Every thing possessed such an air OF
cleanliness that it was delight to the
young matron to perform her daily
duties. The linen all so new and spot
less, the dainty china and highly-pol
ished silver served to counteract the eff
feet OF many an unsuccessful culinary
attempt, for who would not rather be
served with biscuit strongly suggestive
of heaviness under such conditions thar
to partake of feast without these pleas
ing accomplishments?
Harry was not blind to his wife's fail
nres in the cooking art, but out of kind
~ consideration for. her feelings hi
gracefully sampled her varied concoc
tions, not always, though, without ;
flavor of suppressed merriment.
As the winter wore on, Harry busict
himself through the long evenings with
reading, which was always Of an in
structive; character, and Marion usual,
employed the time with some fascinat
ing bitsof fancywork. This was her on,
great failing and with her it could just
ly be termed such. She cared little 70
books save occasionally some light nov
Ell. Biography, history, science had nj
charms for her. Fhey wonld do 70
marry, y man hceueu tuose lnihgs'
Harry had frequently ventured t.
demonstrate with her and endeayorol
from time to time to impress her will
the fact that study was as necessar.
and beneficial to her as to him. He ha,
often tried to interest her in his bust
ness affairs, and~ suggested that sh
might help him in many ways If sh
would$
But Marion denied adaptability AM
taste for business, and every effort t
provo the contrary was unayailing. S
her pnambitiyus, selfish nature was son