The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-01-24

why. where Is your husbandf
asked the visitor In surprise.
"DIning out"
"Wherep"
II don't know. Tho fact is. he met
an old college friend this morning,
and in burst of inconsiderate hospi-
tality--so like man, you know-in-
vited him to dinner. or course. 1
refused to ratify the invitation. What
could do, with Bridget i'll In bedp So
told him he must take his friend to q
restaurant or some such place. He
assented with rather n 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.
Arden's story.
"Don't you think l did rightp" Clara
asked impulsively. just consider
how am situated!'
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 I
think l should have advised you to
try"
"But whyP"
I'm the first place. as compliment
to your husband"
Clara shrugged her shoulders.
1--WE are old married people now"
said she. Only think. it is nearly
three years 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. had
a brother once-a very dear brother.
He died of delirium tremens."
.'Oh, Mrs. Marleyv" Clara Arden
placed sympathetic hand in that of
her friend. for she saw that the pretty
old lady had grown pale, and trem-
bled.
Yes, my dear" went on Mrs. Mar
lev. HE had gay, pretty young
wife. who disliked the cares of house,
keeping. and it was an understood
thing between them that any gentle
man guests whom ii fell to Clements
lot to entertain should be taken to some
hotel OF restaurant. Well, my dear
YOU know how it was. The wine
flowed frcely-there was n2 feminine
presence to restrain the false idea of
good-fellowship. Clement acquired
the fatal habit of indiscriminate drink
ing. and the upshot of it all was that
he filled drunkard's grave. Perhaps
was uncharitablc. but / have always
Thought that had his wife made her
home agreeable to her husband and
his guests things might have ended
differently"
But. Mrs. Marley" cried Clara.
much shocked, this is quite differ
ent thing!"
II do not say that 1t is not, Clara.
only want to warn you against the
rock on which my poor sster-in-law's
life was wrecked. OF what use is all
our sad and hardly won experience, il
not to caution others little?"
Clara was silent for n minute or
two. and when she spoke again it was
on quite a different topic. Mrs. Mar
ley stayed and dined with her off the
cold joint and simple salad, and went
home at about 8 o'clock.
And then came the long. lonely
evening during which Clara sat by the
window. waiting and listening for
every sound, nervously impatient for
her husbands return.
"Of course. he is not the sort of man
to drink too much" she told herself,
over and over again; 'but--but am
almost sorry was so obstinate about
asking Mr.. Fenwick to dinner. 1t
would not have been so very much
trouble. after all. and think Charley
was vexed about it."
Nine o'clock struck-then 10-then
land Clara sprang up and began
pacing the room in her nervousness.
Il wish he would GOMEZ she cried,
wringing her hands. II wish he would
come!"
Just then there was some disturb
ance in the street, and glad ut all haz-
ards to escape from her own harassing
thoughts. Clara threw open the win
dow and thrust out her head.
There was little crowd Mt the cor
ner OF the street, ana Sne cOulu us
tinctly hear the jecring voices of some
of the little street Arabs crying out:
"lt's only drunken man! Halo,
mister. you'll find your hat In the gut
ter! Can't you tell where you liver
Go and ask an officerT'
Clara's head turned cold as ice.
Could 1t bc possiblcP Was this poor.
staggering creature. whose uncertain
step afforded amusement to mob OF
boys, her noble husbandp Had he SO
far forgotten himself and herP And II
80, Mt whose door lay the faultp
Nearer and nearer came the little
crowd. Clara drew In her head and
closed the window. She could not
bear to have the dreadful possibility
confirmed. She stopped her ears; she
hurried her face In the pillows of the