Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-12-11
THE YOUNG WIFE.

81 am the most miserable girl in the
world" said Madeline.
Kate Ofutt opened her eyes.
You, Mad!" she cried, incredulously
"You, just married to handsome young
fellow, the man of your heart-yOu, only
sighteen-you, with face like Hebe
Oh, come! who do you think is going
10 believe this nonsense!'
Madeline sighed.
I'm only eighteen, " said she, "that' S
very true. I've the longer to live aud
endure all these trials. I'm married to
Christopher Morange; but he's gone away
on six months voyage to Japan, leav-
ing me with my mother-in-law!'
'But I've always heard that she's a
nice old lady, and Chris is the very ap-
pie of her eye, so that, of course, she'll
take the tenderest care of his wife"
Madeline shook her curly head.
az never can get along with Mother
Morange," whispered she.
"Madeline!'
"Well, it's true. She's as neas as wax,
and I'm a dreadful little sloven. She
wants me to be sp;ck-and-span house
keeper, and l hate it all. She's forever
trying to make me understand what 4
great promotion I have attained to in
marrying her son, and naturally sup
pose that if wasn't entirely equal to the
position, Chris never would have raised
me to it. o. can't stand Mother
Morange!"
Madeline, YOU are a goose"
''But that isn't the worst of it, Kate, ,
whispered the pretty young bride, nest
ling close to her friend. "I've nc
money"
"No money, Madelinel"
"Chris told me whenever wanted any
money to go to his mother. Oh, Kate,
can't do thstl'
alt was very thoughtless of your hus-
band, Madeline" said Miss Offutt,
grayely.
$50 I've sold the ruby ring that wa!
my mothers, and tie bracelet with th'
opal eye that Grandmother Penrhyer gave
me, and now I've nothing left to sell
And I'm so tired OF Mrs. Morange's lee
lures on economy and exhortations OF
housekeeping! shall say or do some
thing dreadful before long, an sure
Only think, she has ordered a whole piece
of linen sheeting, and we're to beyiI
hemstitching it right away! And am tC
take course of cooking lessons under bel
supervision, and sm to be taught clear
starching and account keeping, and {
French method OF darning stockings thai
won't show the mend-I, that never could
endure needle, and can neither knit mol
sew!"
"Tell her so, DEAR" advised Kate
Offutt.
al did tell her so. please don't set
me to work like that. said I, in despera-
tioE. i shall be perfectly wretche1. !
never could sew, and | hate housekecp-
ing"
"Whst did she sayl"
"Oh, she made big spectacled eyes ct
me and spoke such a speechl Ny dear,
said she, you seem to forget the sacrifice
which my son, Captain Morangc, made
when he married a penniless, insignifi-
cant chit like you, instead Of Miss Zoe
Gardner with fortune, who was quite
ready TO snap at him. You forget what
you owe him in every way. A wife who
cannot earn money ought to save it,
And then--it was shockingly undIgni-
fed, know, but l couldn't help it-I
burst out crying and said: Il wish Miss
Zoe had snapped at him and caught him,
tool And Mother MorsDge said was
a wicked, sinful girl, and she was qu-
quite right. But OBJ, am so unhappy
Kate, want you to do me a great, great
favor. I want you to take me back to
the city with you, and give me place
in your business.
Miss offut, the managing editress of
, popular ladies' monthly, looked some
shat surprised at this proposal.