Daily Republican., 1890-01-02
MY nussAND's "wIrE.r
kYE JOHNSON.

eix months ago. have never, save one
day, Imagined that title belonged TO NO.
Cyrus Howe came to Erie year ago 10
conduct great lawsuit, and, being both
talented aud handsome, he not only won
his case, but his way into the best 30
cieiy.
No ore knew aught of bis private his.
tory, but bis success satisfied the mascu-
| line portion Of the community, go tho
women had no cause for complaint. He
WAS Invited every where, and IL time be-
came visitor at our house.
His stlentions were marked from the
FIRST and ere had known him six months
| 1 had married him.
bud no fnther to counsel me, and was
too headsirong to heed mothers entreaty
to wait until knew more of the man
ere linked my life with his.
| ] was twenty-five, aud had never been
In love before; he was about thirty and
said | wac his "ouly love" SO we mar.
He'd on On equal basis. At least ! thought
80 then.
His business in Erie was long since
concluded, so we were married In the
morning and took an early train for
Rochester, N ", where his home was.
What that home was like wass question
with me. for be would tell me nothing
about II. l enjoyed the ride, for he paid
me all sorts OF lover-like attentions, and
seemed wonderfully happy At having won
me. But be never called me his vile,
and II was not long ere discovered the
reason why.
When we rescht home, I found II one
OF the hsndsomest residences IN the city,
and elegantly and beautifully furnished.
A sweet faced, white haired little old
| lnho I'M In hnh - l.s
duced as mother" She kissed me af.
deliberately and babe mo welcome. /
put my arms around her neck and re.
turned the kiss, saying knew l should
love her dearly.
Happening to glance up. I saw Cyrus
face wore an expression Of strong disAp-
proval. His mother raw the look also,
aud II Affected her strangely. A painful
flush suffused her dear old face, snd
saw her hands were trembling as she
turned away. wss so surprised that
stood stock still, staring at my husband.
"Do not 10 rude, Esms," lie said impa.
tientiy.
II beg your PARDON" answered, and
followed his IN other into the pafior, won.
dering what IL meant.
The remainder Of tho day passed pleas
antly. Cyrus showed me over the house
and ererted himself TO be entertaining.
In the evening = great many of his
friends called. | was pleased with them
all, for they were people OF culture and
I nad .caditea ny my.s and told me-
so. as we mounted the stairs to our room
after they wore all gone.
Truly my lot is cast In piensau Il
places" was my thought II muet tell her
how little cause she has for mlsgivlng."
had seen our chamber before, but IN a
dusky, half light. Now 1t was brilliantly
Illuminated. and the first thing that
attracted my attention was the portrait
of beautiful women, hanging on the
wall al the foot OF the bed.
stood and scanned II curiously, Ito
cold. proud. stately beauty chilled me
most unAccountably. "Who 10 ihs
v oman, Cyrus 2" Iasked at length.
THAT 10 my wife.
lie was busy rumms2inR a trunk for
something, and has since owned he an
swered untbinkingly.
do not know how long stood there,
Oiled with horriatd Amusement.
"lf you have looked at that picture
loug enough, Esma, l wish you would
come and unite this knot"
J turned. and mechanically did bis
bidding.
-, Whats the matter? Your hands are
like ice."
"Do you think your mother has re.
tlrod?" ! asked, disregarding his Ques-
ton.
~ think not, heard her voice mo.
ment ago."
~ am going to SEQ her . moment
them" and turned toward the door.
Nonsense. At this hour, My wife
never did such thing"
l had hesitated, but the last words de-
cided me.
"You can console yourself with
thoughts Of your vile during my ab-
sence," and darted away.
| Mrs. Hows's room was on the oppo-
site side Of the hall, and a cheerful
come in" answered my knock. She
looked surprised when she saw who her
come. ! closed and loctoi the door,
then standing before asked her the Ques-
which was maddening me.
| I'll that woman, whose portrait hangs
In our chamber, 10 Cyrus wife, what
am II"
"You are his wife, my dear, for that
poor woman has been dead for three
years." there WAS an infinite pity In the
kind voice and tears In the dear old
eyes.
"why DID he net tell me he had been
marriodP'
"My dear. 1T III behooves . mother to
speak III OF her son, but you will fnd he
does 40 he pleases, with little regard for
right. l am truly sorry for you, my
dear. Do you love him, child?"
~ did," l answered gIoomlly.
| "Do Rot speak So despairinely, dear.
| You are hie wife and rnnst mska IL. r.,
OF 1t. He will not beat you, for he ia
kindness itself. He will only harrow
your soul night and day with assertions
Of what my wife" did or did not do He
has exaggerated ideas Is to how q woman
should deport herself 1t home or abroad.
and has an annoying habit Of remarklng
| on what one does contrary TO his CODE"
| WAS his wife uncommonly perfect?n
"No more SO than . thousand Others"
Mother, ] eau never live under such
. condition OF things.'
II wish you could devise some way 10
break him OF 1t.
| sat silent, busily thinking for some
time. Then sprang up Laughing mer.
| rily over the idea had Just conceived
| you darling little mother" l said.
kissing her tenderly; 81 shall cure him,
never you fear" aud away sped.
found Cyrus reading : paper. and II
was rather q disconnected face be turned
to me.
Il must say, Rsma, my wife never did
such silly thing as this, In all her liie."
II dare gay not,"l answered chesrfully
80 l wsltzed across the room to the dress.
ing. table, and began removing my
thing as to oft Up and wait Tor me II /
oh ancad tn lava ths roo,p -t,,,.