Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-07-30
True MARRIAGE NOT A FAILURE.

watch and laid aside the book he had
b en- reading.
Marion. 1 think I'll 60 down town
la little while. do you mind?'
The young wife, sitting at the op-
! osite side OF the table. glanced up
fIom her delicate embroidery
Yes, Harry, l mind; but what does
il matter to your 1 have been left
alone great many evenings this win
ter and suppose 1 can survive your
absence to-nigh', as l have done be-
fore.'
why, Marion, you are not angry?'
oh, no, not In the least. Go if you
like
He careless'y kissed his wife good
bye. and hurried out into the darkness
and cold of the winters night.
Marion listened 10 his departing foot
steps with all unusual feeling OF loneli-
ness, and sighed as she remembered the
days of their early married life, when
| Harry was content to spend hls leisure
evenings with her, and seemed always
eager to contribute TO her happiness in
every way.
Tie more size poudered the sadder
she became, until bitter tears fell thick
and fast upon Ter work. She felt that
/
away from her affections, and she snud-
dered a she though of the hollowness
of life without hIm-the mockery of
existence without his love.
When Harry Benton sought and won
the hand OF Marion Bradley, she Was
the acknowledged belle OF Fairfield.
Harry was a promising young lawyer
| of sound moral princi lles, fatterlng
business prospects and generally con-
ceded 10 be i'll every way worthy of DIR.
Bradley's young daughter.
| UnfoI tunaiely, Marion had never
known a mothers tender care The
inexhaustible love of the maternal ma
ture she was not permitted to know,
an ! yet DIR. Bradley had never forgot
len his wIfe'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 the kindest
intentions, shielded Marion from every
thing III 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. Nivacious IN conversation,
always hght-hearted and full of good
humor, Was A universal favorite among
her young associates, and, as she step
ped into the arena of married life, one
and AL predicted successful and happy
career for Lawyer Benton and his fan
bride.
Tie marriage occurred on New Y ears
eve and u short wedding journey fol-
lowed.
| 4 corey little cottage in a desirable
part of tle town was the wedding gift
of DIR. Bradley To his daughter, and,
during the temporary absence of the
newly-mated lair, the entire house WIS
fui nished ready for occupancy The
DOCTORS faithful hous keeper, whose
precious charge Marion had been since
her birth, seemingly anticipated even
the most InSiL1Ildcent needs of the new
household. and nothing WAS left undone
that could contribute To Marion's con-
venIence and comfort.
The oil OF parental affection had been
freely sprinkled uyon the waters, and
Harry Benton and his young bride set
saIt upon a smooth sea unruffied by
waves OF care OF trouble.
Tney were SUI remely satisfied in eacIl
others love, and happiness reigned as
queen of the new home for many
months. Everything about the house
was SO bright and attractive as Harry
and Marion inspected it for the first
lime, that they were quite charmed
with the idea of housekeeping, and de-
cided at once that it would be far pre-
rerabie to boarding, as they had con-
templa! ed doing, Marion suggested
that she was equal to the ta~k of boil
mistress and serI ant, and 1t was agreed
that she should atteLd TO the household
duties without the questionable assist
ance of servant.
Everything posse sSed such an air OF
cleanliress that it was a delight to the
young matron to perform her daily
duties. The linen all SO new and spot
less, the dainty CHINA and hi2hly pol
isled silver served 20 counteract the
effect o. nany an unsuccessful culinary
attempt, for who would not rather be
served with biscuit strongly suggestive
of heaviness under such conditions than
to partake of a fe ist without thest
pleasing accomplishments.
Harry was not blind 10 his wife:
failures in the cooking art, but out OF
, kindly consideration for her feelings be
race ully sampled her varied concoc.
tious, no. always, though, without q
flavor of suppressed merriment.
As the winter wore on, Harry busted
himself through the long evenings with
Ieafing. which was always of an in
s,ructive chara ter. and Marion usually
employed the time with some fascinat
ing bit Of fancy Work. This was hel
one great failing and with her it coulC
j. silly be termed such. She cared LITTLE
, for books save occasionally some light
n vel. Biography. history, science haC
, no charms for her. They would do fo
Harry; a man needed those things.
Harry had frequeLlly ventured u
, remonsIrate with her and endeavoret
from time to time to impress her will
the fact that study was rs necessary
and beneficial to her as u him. He haC
oft tired to interest her In his busi
3 ness affairs and suggested that sh,
might help him in many ways If sh'
would.
: But Marion denied adaptability anC
taste for business. and every effort Il
prove tie contrary WAS unavaillng. )
her uIamb.tious, selfish nature Wa
continually absorbing nourishmen
, from Harry's forbearsncs and gentle
2 ness.
Days, weeks and months pass, anC
the hurrying wheels Of time bring Mar
:ol's 6rst wedding anniversary. An
D other year passes more quickly than th'
first; and so they come, one after an
I other, till we find her bathed in doe'
, of tearI, lonely and alone
Her house. once 50 attractive In IT
I neatness, had suffered seriously fron
4 neglect. Ths dainty dishes which, If
ler patIsnt practice, she had succeede,
I in preparing so nicely, no longe
: tempted the hungry husband, and j