Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-01-15
life. But that is not all. Let me tell

.
you an experience Of my own. I had
brother once very dear brother.
He died OF delirium tremens.p
''Oh. Mrs. Marley Clara Arden
placed a 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
ley. HE had a gay, pretty young
wife, who disliked the cares of house
keeping. and 1t was an understood
thing between them that any gentle
man guests whom it fell to Clements
lot to entertain should he taken to some
hotel or restaurant. Well, my dear
YOU know how il was. The wine
flowed freely-there was no feminine
presence to restrain the false idea Of
good-feliowship. 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
eut thingr' -"r
IL do not say that it is not, Clara. /
only want TO warn you against the
rock on which my poor sister-in-law's
,ifo was wrecked, OF what use is all
our sad and hardly won experience, if
not to caution others littlc?"
. r A
two, and when she spoke again it was
on quite different topic. Mrs. Mar.
lev stayed aud dinod with her of the
cold Joint aud simple salad and went
home ut about q o'clock.
Aud then came the long. lonely
evening, during which Clara sat by the
window, waiting and listening for
every sound, norvously impatient for
her husbands return.
"Of course, he is not the sort Of man
TO drink too much" she told herself
over aud 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 l0-then
ll-and Clara spraug up aud began
pacing the room In her nervousness.
Il wish he would GOMEZ she cried,
wringiug her hands. II wish he would
Gomez
just then there was some disturb
ance in the street, and glad at all haz-
ards 10 escape from her own harassing
thoughts, Clara threw open the win
dow and thrust out her head.
There was little crowd at the cor
ugr OF the street, and she could dis
timctly hear the jcering voices of some
Of the little street Arabs crying out:
'lt's only a drunken man! Halo,
mister, you'll fud your hat in the gut
ter! Can't you tell where you live?
Go and ask an Officcr!H
Clara's head turned cold az ice.
Could it be possible? Was this poor,
staggering creature, whose uncertain
step afforded amusement to mob of
boys, her noble husband? Had he so
far forgotten himself and her? And if
80, at whose door lay the fault9
Nearer and nearer came the little
crowd, Clara drew in her head aud
closed the window. She could not
bear to have tho dreadful possibility
confirmed. She stopped her ears; she
buried her face in The pillows of the
sofa.
Why. Clara, little wife, what's the
mailer?"
Il was Charlcy's voice-not the
mandlin accents Of semi-iutoxication
but the full, deep tones of the man she
felt she could yet honor, as well rs
love and obey. She looked up with u
little hysterical laugh.
"Oh. Charley, was frightened A
drunken man in the street, YOU
know
Yes. I passed MIN. A policeman
has just walked him off to the station
house. So you were frightened, eh?'
Ciara's face was radiant AS she turned
up the low jet OF gas.
II am so glad you have come, Char
leyr' said she. II have had Il great
many computations Of conscience this
afternoon, because didn't make Mr..
Fenwick welcome to the best | had in
the house instead of sending you to
restaurant DID,. ....... H..
I'VE went to Lemonde's,' said
Charley. The dinner was stylish
enough. but nothing better than you
could have given us at home"
And Charley added Clara, softly.
the next time you invite friend to
dine with you, YOU may he certain
that my welcome will be ready"
That's my own dear little Clara,
said Charley. And the hearty satisfac-
ton in his face was "a reward for any
sacrifice she might be called upon to
make. "A fellow likes to feel. you
know, when Inc meets au old chum.
that he has home to ask him to, and
a wife that will meet him with smile"
But | am sorry about Mr.. Fen
wickP" ................
Never mind. He will be in town
again one of these days, and then well
show him what homemade dinner is
ell, Clara"
Aud Clara's smile answered him.
She had her lesson. She was not
likely to forget it.-EreHing World.