Middletown transcript., 1891-06-25

baby in charge OF her nurse, and
i for once, give me your company
in the parlor this evening"
This was said in tone rather I'M
ploring than fretful, and was accom-
panied by a very persuasive caress.
"Oh, Harry, love, don't ask me to
leave dearest Mamie! Nurses are so
careless; and if anything happened
to our precious one, l should never
forgive myself"
SBut Mamie is fast asleep, and
sure Fanny can rock the cradle with
out your personal supervision. Ii not,
l wish you would try to secure more
trustworthy nurse, for l cannot con-
sent to forego your society altogether,
even in favor Of my little daughter"
Fanny is quite as faithful, Harry,
as hired help in general, but no one
can be as watchful as a mother ), and,
indeed, my love and anxiety are such
that I am miserable when away from
the darling, even for short time"
"But fear the confinement is in
iuring your health. Already your
cheeks have lost their color, and
those roguish eyes are growing dim,
that did such execution on my heart
some months ago."
Be patient, Harry-baby will
soon he old enough to come down
stairs occasionally, and you will have
her company and mine, to make up
for the hours you have passed in soil
tude."
Harry Irving and Mary Lloyd had
been married just one year and a half.
The arrival of a baby-daughter had
first seemed to the young husband
to complete the measure ofhis felicity
but he soon began to think the claims
of the newcomer encreached most
unreasonably on his opportunities OF
enjoying his wife's society.
On the evening of the conversation
Just quoted, the sitting room of the
young coupl. wore its usual inviting
aspect. A fire burned cheerfully in
the CRATE; the heavy crimson cur
tains we're closely drawn, and the
lights shone brightly, casting playful
CLEANS on the fresced walls, through
rich glass pendants. A luxurious
easy chair opened its arms temptingly
beside the hearth, and pair Of slip
pers lay on the rug before it. The
centre table, close by, was covered
with book and newspapers,-it seem
ed as if one might manage to pass q
q pleasant evening here, even ifalone'
But the master Of all these appliances
had no taste for solitude nor had he
accustomed himself to seek companion
ship in the world of books.
AS he sat, stretched on the rack
of too easy chair" with feet resting
on the polished steel fender, his eyes
wandered ever and anon from the
page before them to the unopened
piano, and fairy workstsnd tha'
for months had not left its corner
and his thoughts reverted to time
when a graceful form in the most be-
coming Of evening dresses was wont
with dainty fingers, to draw sweet
music from the now silent instrument
or, seated opposite, to shape some
delicate fabric, while he read aloud
the news of the day, or the latest
novel.
. "Ah those were happy evenings
said Harry, with sigh, as he cas-
his book impatiently from him. " By
the-by, l wonder what the boys are
doing at the club. In the old days
used now and then to spend an even
ing there quite pleasantly. Why
cant I do SO now They will be giae
to see me, no doubt, and Mary won
feel offended as she is SO entirely
taken up witty baby" And, even a
he spoke, Harry arose and took OF
his dressing gown.
Half an hour later and he was re-
ceiving the hearty welcome and semi
| ironical congratulations of his forme
companions, at the club.
This association was composed
chiefly of bachelors, for the most par
men of reputed wealth and Of fai
social standing, who met for the pur
pose of social amusement and con
viviality.
Wine generally flowed freely a
these gatherings, and whist AM
billiards were the standard amuse
ments.
Games of chance, also, had latel
been introduced, though the infuenc
of certain newly-received members
but of this Harry was ignorant.
With most of the gentlemen Harr
was unable to vie in point of ex
penditure but his frank and genis
disposition, and gaiety in converse
ton, hnd rendered him a favorite
and his marriage, as depriving ther
VI Dis CounPnny, WoS A0SA
whole circle. His unexpected reap
pearance among them was proper
tionally agreeable, and they foun
means to make the evening pass I
pleasantly to him that he was SUI
prised, on his way home, to hear tt
clock strike two.
He found his wife, fatigued by hi
maternal cares, fast asleep. In fac
. she was unaware that his absence ma
been unusually prolonged.
AS might be expected, Harry
visit to the clu5.room was repeated
and il was not long before he had
far resumed the habits Of his bachel'
DAYS as to be seen there almost evel