Western Kansas world., 1893-12-30


Day after day she tried thousand
keys of endearment and loving fore
thought in the locked and barred
doors of Paul's heart, she did her best
to b4 grave, prudent, and helpful; she
tried to rid herself of her childish
mannerism; in short, she did won
ders She made careless, butterfly
of a woman, tender, dignitied, yet
gentle matroD; she studied zealously
that certain deficiencies in accom-
plishments might not longer mortifY
and annoy Paul, she gave herself,
heart and soul, to her special abomi-
nation-housewifery-and succeeded
wonderfully; but after two years OF
patient trying she had not yet heard
what she most desired from her hus-
bands lips-a recantation OF his
harsh determination.
Yet let no one be too severe on
Paul. He intended to be just He
had honestly believed himself for
months a much-aggrieved man. His
natural jeaIously irritated by the
persistent malice of his mother and
sister, had obscured his mental vision.
He tancied himself not little heroic
in thus visiting the follies of his lit
tie wife. He really loved Eda, and
it cost him some pain and trouble to
adhere to his resolution. That very
fact only convinced him that he was
exhibiting species of Roman firm
nesS-Spartan fortitude He saw
and marked Eda's efforts at improve
ments and their success. Secretly
he was little pleased, and it never
once occurred that all solace was de-
MED to her and that her very untir-
ing patience only proved how keenly
she suffered.
To be made a sort of New York
grand lama, to have incense burned
before you, and to feel that for one
little, bIue-eyed fool all the majesty
of Jove lies in your word, is I sup
pose, rather an agreeable sensationA
I say suppose, for Heaven knows I
know nothing Of it eXperimentally--
all this wife worship and spaniel-like
devotion doubtless convinced Paul
that in some way he really was vastly
superior to his pretty little idolater,
and that it was not a little con-
descending in him to be worshiped at
all. And so matters might have gone
on, ad infinitum, if they had not
fired on Sumter.
Paul was the first to 60 He dis
cussed pros ard cons with his mother
and sister; when a conclusion was ar
rived at he briefly stated it to his wife
and ordered her to superintend his
packing, Eda could not repress her
dismay; she even attempted argu-
ments, but was sternlY cut short in
the very midst by mother and sister
in-law, whose heroism and fortitude,
Of course, showed all the more ad-
by comparison with
Eda's sobs and entreaties.
Only one faint CLEAN of comfort
could she find in all this darkness
"He will take back those cruel
words" she said to herself. '!Now
that he is leaving me. perhaps for
ever, he will not leave them behind
him tc poison all my thoughts of him
and embitter all my lonely hours!"
So she waited and watched, and
the day for parting came, and the
hour and at last the minute; and still
Paul had not spoken. Eda flung her
arms about him.
"Paul, stop! Before you 60 unsay
what you said two years ago."
What reason have for so doing?'
was all his reply. And with a cool
kiss he left her.
The disappointment was bitter; so
great that it actually swallowed up
her grief at parting. When she
watched for letters it was with the
hope that, away from unfriendly in
f1uenceS, he had at last relented and
to tell her so; but he wrote
except "that he was well,
camp duties were arduous and an en-
gagement was expected" Into the
far-longer letters addressed to his
sister and mother she was seldom or
never allowed glance.
At last came the news Of the long
awaited battle. Eda's first thought
was Of humiliation for the defeat;
her second, Of terror for her husbands
safety. For three days she suffered
all the horrors OF uncertainUy-all
the agonies Of hope long deferred. He
was missing; had been seen wounded
and fighting bravely; was thought to
be dead. At last came the truth,
He was badly wounded and prisoner.
Mrs Britain read the letter con-
tanning the news aloud at the break
fast table. Eda heard it, pale and
rigid, without comment or question.
Going up later in the day to her
daughter-in-law's room, Mrs Brittan
saw signs of packing. Open drawers,
disordered closets, and Eda kneeling
before trunk, with determination
written on every pallid feature.
What is all this?" asked Mrs.
Britain. 'tAnd where are you going?
! should consider this singular time
for visiting, were / in your place.
While your husband lies wounded
aud prisoner in the hands of the
enemy, common decency should, I
think, keep you home"
|. Eda's eye kindled.