Smyrna times., 1893-03-01

L
how often; but when | did, upbraided
him for leaving me alone, and took to
asking every time he came or went.
where he had been or where he was
going. AS he was out so often I did
not light the big lamp, so there was no
brightness.
Il had never cared in the first days
OF my married life to ask friends to call
in the evenings, but in my loneliness
and annoyance | invited several young
people. When my husband found that
out he also stayed and seemed to enjoy
the company. Then the demon of
Jealousy entered my soul. Every time
Henry spoke to girl, sang with her
or played a game, sulked for hours.
or perhaps days. No man will endure
that, SO | was again left TO my long.
lonely evenings.
My husband was never unkind but
seemed quite Indifferent to me. just
then the bric-a-brac craze began. and
for want of something better to do. I
collected lot of useless stuff, made
crazy patchwork customs and chair
back, had little gilded tables scattered
round, and all the other fads Of the
day. When Henry tried to move
about he was always knocking down
something, and | few to the rescue
with cross or peevish word to him.
He never answered but he kept more
and more away from home.
l was out Of health aud out of spirits
but he seemed not to notice, and was
too proud to tell him what | thought
he did not care to know. No one can
tell what my dismay was when one
day he came home and began hastily
packing trunk, telling me his bushes
would take him away for two months
and | had better get some friend to
stay with me during his absence
l dId so, and very kind and iudic-
ious friend she proved to be. She soon
found out the state of affairs. and also
that | loved my husband passion.
ately, while he seemed to be sIinujno
away and forgetting me. lie wrote
once week, a cold, short duty letter
and | did not write at ALL could not.
felt as if my heart was breaking.
After eight weeks had dragged
their weary length along, Henry wrote
that he would be home on such dav.
The day came, and was in a nervous
fever of anticipation when. without
any warming, neighbor rushed into
the house to tell us there had been an
accident on the railroad, aud many
were killed. 1t was the train on which
we expected Henry.
I'm my weak, overwrousht state
the shock was too great. and before
many hours had passed | was living
almost at my last breath, and the little
baby, from whose advent had hoped
so much, was dead. For two davs 7
knew nothing, then l opened my ewes
to see my husband by my side, love
and anxiety in the dear facs and eyes.
l was too weak to think, to remember
the accident, to know or feel ANYTHING
but the JOY of his presence, and | fell
asleep with my hand held in his.
i was young, and the happiness of
seeing how much Henry loved me,
was my best tonic. We began a new
life with my good friend for an adviser.
She spoke kindly and openly to each
OF us, and the result was that we tried
to put ourselves in each others place.
once more made home attractive. and
knowing that after a day of hard work
a man needs relaxation and amuse-
ment, l tried to make him find it in his
own home. The friends who had been
driven away by my jealousy were kind
enough to forgive and forget. At this
day | doubt if there is a happier home
anywhere than ours. Henry goes to
his lodges secure that I trust him. and
therefore he has no temptation to re.
main over hours for fear of an un.
pleasant scene on his return"
Mrs. Hapless listened intently to me .
and when l had finished she sat down
on the floor at my side, rested her tired |
head on my lap and cried. l patted tha
untidy hair and let her have her cry
out. She made no promises but as
went away she squeezed my hand and
thanked me.
Since then l have often run over
there in the afternoon and helped her
tidy up" This evening l have lust
come from her house and this is what
saw: large lamp with pink shade
burning on the centre table. Books.
magazines, the evening paper, ready to
be taken up. On the small side table
were games. Near the low rocker
placed for Mrs. Hapless stood neat
basket stand. On the opposite side of
the table, comfortable armchair was
drawn up for "John," while his slip
pers were warming near the well
heated stove. Two or three pots con.
tanning Towering plants stood on the
wide window sill In the dining room
was set pretty, orderly table, with
nice china and bright silver, lamps
with ground glass shades throwing a
light over all. From the
kitchen came an appetizing odor. The
hall was brilliantly lighted, and the
little wife, as she accompanied me to
The door, look sweet and womanly in
her neat dress. The ripping hair and
soft curls on her forehead seemed to
catch a dancing light: her eyes were
bright and happy as she shyly kissed
ne and whispered in my ear:
"John has been home every evening
this week"
'Tis trihes light as air
Make up the sum Of human happiness
-S-s
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