Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-05-01
UNBENDING WILLS.
The Part Miss Wilberforce Played
In a Reconciliation.

The Part Miss Wilberforce Played
In a Reconciliation.
81 shall hold myself free to act as
please"
81 shall insist on the same privilege
for myself"
A proud and angry woman spoke and
a man as proud and angry as herself
answered her
"You continually try to bend my will
to yours" continued Mrs Underhill.
'You do not consider that / have as
good right to decide what is best for
myself as you have. 1t has CO le to
such pass now that am irritated be-
yond endurance, and shall insist upon
an immediate separation"
"You desire a divorce. / shall not
oppose you. | myself no longer wish
to feel the weight of matrimonial
chains"
Mr.. Underhilrs tones were cold and
bitter. If he felt any regret he studious-
" concealed it. For moment his wife
seemed to weaken in her purpose. She
had not expected that her husband
would so readily consent to her leaving
him There was a vacillating, melting
look in her handsome eyes, a wistful,
troubled expression in her face. There
was critical second during which the
eyes of the two met. Had the mans
eyes then melted, there might have
been reconciliation, and concessions
might have followed that would have
done much toward promoting the hap
piness of the couple But the mans
face was like adamant, his gaze was
unyielding Mrs. Underhill was griev-
ously disappointed and he- pride was
deeply touched. Her features became
rigid, and she was as devoid of emotion
as a marble statue, as she said:
CLEARLY there is one thing concern
ing which we both can agree. A G-
vorce it shall be. will pack my
trunks without delay and leave for
my fathers home tonight. We can in
stitute proceedings for divorce as soon
as the requirements of the law will per-
nit / will at once employ lawyer, he
can communicate with you or your law
yer, and it win not be necessary for us
to write to each other"
The dignified but unfeeling manner
in which his wife signified her desire
that all confidential relations with her
husband should at once cease was too
nsuch for even the admirable equanim-
ty of Mr.. Underhill. An imploring
expression came into his eyes. His
wife noticed it, but would not heed it.
Had he not scorned her when she mani
Tested disposition to yield? He had
made her suffer, lit was right that he
should suffer as much. He believed
he could detect evidences of disdain In
her countenance, and, pride coming to
his aid, his momentary weakness was
subdued.
''Good-by."
"Good-by."
Their farewells were spoken with
voices that did not tremble, and their
nerves were steady as they politely
shook hands.
Who would have looked for such a re-
suit? Mr.. and Mrs Underhill had been
married but six months, and their
welded life had apparently begun un-
der the most happy auspices. Both
were young, strong and handsome,
possessed brilliant and attractive quail
best social circles; and were members
of families that were talented, wealthy
and influential Nature and those
worldly circumstances that are COM
monty esteemed the most desirable had
seemingly We'd with each other in their
efforts to bcstow choice gifts upon the
couple. ''They were made for each
other" their friends enthusiastically
said, and on their wedding day their
future appeared to be as promising as
the blue sky, in which not even small
cloud could be seen.
But earthquakes may come when the
sun shines. The greatest dangers are
often hidden AS certain as there are
undertaking laws that control the move
ments of the universe, so certain II was
that Mr.. Underhill and his wife could
not long continue to live In harmony.
In marital life two hearts cannot beat
as one unless each is capable of yield
ing somewhat to the others wishes,
making mutual concessions possible.
But Mr. and Mrs. Underhill, In spite
of their many excellent qualities, each
possessed an tnbcnding will. Neither
of them, having once rcsolged on some
important course Of action, would alter
plans 20 suit the otEcrE convenience.
Hence domestic infelicity was incv.
liable. They were too well bred to in.
dulge in vulgar quarreling, but serious
disagreernents, even IL they are con-
Quoted in polite language, may fill the
heart with bitterness, and promote per-
manent discord. They had once be-
lieved that their mutual attachment
was great but it had not been sufficient
to cause them TO do the one thing neces-
sary to assure their happiness-it had
not influenced them to bend their wills.
True to her purpose, Mrs. Underhill
returned to her fathers home in New
York Her husband remained in st.
Louis and pursued his business. Dur
ing the succeeding year he made con-
siderable money, but he was not happy.
Occasionally he received letter from
Il lawyer in New York, informing him
that the proceedings for divorce on the
ground of incoInpatability of temper
were progressing. Whenever he read
one of these letters he became very de-
spondcnt; and at last he felt so troubled
that he resolved to go to New York, for
rest and recreation he claimed, but in
reality he was influenced by the hope
that he might see his wife.
He had not been long in New York
before lac met an old friend named
Erickson, who insisted ON his visiting
him during his stay in the city. At his
friends home -lr. Underhill became ac-
quainted with Miss Eugenia Wilber-
force, a younger sister of Mrs. Ericl-
son. Miss Wilberforce was from si4h-
mond, Va, and possessed in an eminent
degree the charms that distinguish
bigh-bred southern beauties. hsyiu2 o