Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-09-27
Husdanb and Wife.


window.
"He promised to be home at six
o'clock to dinner" she murmured,
"and now it is half-past seven. Am
| to be disappointed, evening after
evening, in this fashion? Must |
sit down to another solitary meal,
with servants to cape and wonder
at my red eyes? Only six months
married! From the depths of my
heart / wish | had never left my
fathers houseT
The dinner ceremony was gone
through, and for the whole of that
long, dreary evening, and far into
the night, this heart-broken wife
awaited the arrival of her husband.
At last his well-know footsteps
were heard, and Minnie, pale and
almost breathless, rushed into the
hall to meet him.
"Why in the world are you not
in bed, Minniep" was his first salu-
tation.
"Oh, Frank, how could you alarm
me SOP" came nervously from the
blanched lips. 81 have been frigh-
ened almost to death about you."
And, unable to control herself, she
burst into tears.
"Wipe your eyes Immediately,
Minnie. have something to tell
you-something which | wish you
to understand, and understanding,
to obey"
His voice was so cold and hard
that the trembling woman shivered,
as though suddenly chilled by some
cruel wind.
"When | married you it was be-
cause loved you, and supposed you
loved me. In the last | find am
mistaken, for no wife who has
sincere regard for her husband,
will annoy him by fault-fnding.
You have grown querulous lately,
and there can be but one reason for
such behavior, namely, absence of
affection.
81 shall attend my club and my
business generally-go out when l
please, and come in when | feel dis
posed, and shall be governed in my
opinion of the quality and quantity
of your love by your subsequent
treatment of me. will be magnan-
imous, however, and forgive this
as well as past conduct. Now go
to bed"
,, "Magnanimous, indeedw said his
wife, now thoroughly reused, her
face radient with Indignation.
"Have the kindness, sir, to wait un-
til | ask you to forgive me-until |
have been guilty of some act that
calls for forgiveness; but this !
promise you, that you shall never
again be troubled by my tears OF
fault-inding. Love is a myth, a
ridiculous delusion; and hereafter
shall follow your example-be a
woman of the world, as you are a
man of the world-and now good
morning"
Minnie Markham kept her word
The tender expression of counten-
ance gave way to subdued, almost
cynical look.
Bright, lively, intellectual, an
excellent conversationalist, an ex-
quisite singer and pianist, what
wonder that her society was sought
after and that wherever she went
admirers flocked to her side.
She presided over her household
with grace and dignity; but there
was no unbending in her conduct
towards her husband, although she
was most careful of his comfort
and studiously polite.
Inconsistent as it may appear
this behavior was anything but
agreeable to Mr.. Markham, although
he Admitted it's justice. He be.
came suddenly punctual in his home
engagements, was seldom moment
late to dinner, ndseemed desirous OF
making all possible amends for the
past.
Mrs. Markham was scrupulously
exact about every domestic arrange
ment, and after these duties had
been performed, without word OF
hint, either withdrew to her own
drawing room, or made one of a
gay party elsewhere. On one OF
two occasions, Frank attempted to
demolish this icy barrier, but words
and protestations were useless. The
invariable reply was:
"You know you found love had
no abiding place here. Don't an
noy me with your querulousness."
Three months passed in this mis-
erable manner. Frank grew pale
and distract. Neither business nor
pleasure had any charm for him.
Minnie kent on the even tenor of