The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-13
THE WIFE BEATER.

"Laddie, 4" she said at last, placing her
hand on Rogers head, s'perhaps you are
right In what you did. am only wom-
an, my boy and so was a little shocked
at hearing you say you had struck Katie.
You see, wife heaters are not generally
looked upon as very noble race of men,
and''-
81 shall never touch her again. / told
her So" interrupted Roger, land l shall
keep my word"
''Of COURSE" assented his aunt, "no one
knowing you would doubt your word for
a moment. You are an exceptional man,
my dear Roger, and therefore say again
perhaps you were right, perilous as the ex-
pertinent is. do not exonerate your wife
from blame. She should have had more
sense, for she is by no means only silly
pretty doll"
mo, indeed" cried Roger. al am very
proud of Katie's common sense. She is
often clear headed and wiser than two men
put together"
"Quite SO. All the more blame to her
for so grossly misunderstanding your
character. She should have been more
dutiful, more obedient, should have stud
led your wishes more''-----
''She always studied my wishes-al.
ways" cried the young man wrathfully,
rising from his position and pacing up
and down the room. at WIS only that
she did not understand that | would be
master; that when said a thing l meant
it. Otherwise she is the sweetest little
wife any one ever had"
| ''Come here, laddie. Put your head on
my knees--so. You say you didn't hurt
her much. How do you known She is a
terrible little coward, is wee Katie, and
breads pain.
Most women do, went OH Mrs. Crom.
bic. "But 1t was not only the bodily pain
for don't suppose for a moment that you
did hurt her much. You are not brute
and, as you say, it was but a toy whip.
Think moment, and please under
stand | am not pleading for Katie in the
least. / am only trying to show you thu
state of the case from her side of view.
"She had gone on In her foolish, impe
rious little way, thinking she was govern
ing her big husband, utterly unconscious
that he on his side was storing up ever!
single opposition to his will, to pour out
the whole of it one day upon her in colo
and bitter justice.
"She was wrong, very wrong: but Rog
er, | ask you as mana stern ont, but
think just one-are you perfectly with
out bameHn
There was silence again for some fly,
minutes; then the young man raised hi
! eyes, and they were wet with tears, to hi
! aunts face, and said: 81 see, auntie.
/ was blind, too, and | have sinned too
) Tell me, do you think IL is too Later vii
J Katie hate me now"
"If know anything of Katie, she will
receive you back with love and tenderness
I, But, Roger, remember one thing. She ca
4 never be quite the same again. A womal
8 never forgets. DO what you will, do wha
. she will, she will always fear you now, al
: ways he little bewildeied, a little uncei
: tain, never sure Of you again.
: "Men never understand that every true
+. loving woman builds up an ideal of tn
/ man she loves and clings to that idet
Q desperately even after the god of brass hu
a plainly shown the feet of clay. There
" laddie, will lecture no more. Goodby.
8 There was no carriage to meet him whe
:. he got out at Althorpe station, two mil,
a from the Towers, and though he did nj
n expect it he felt somehow chilled.
a. BY the time he reached the gates he wa
:. really nervous for the first time in his lif,
r. He walked into the house and gave
W slight shiver as the Thought crossed h
D. mind that perhaps it would always be )
in the future. No Katie would come Il.
ing out to meet him, and he knew that
r that should he the case his life would II
deed be dcsolate.
"How foolish am he muttered. "Sf
could not know when was coming hom
She must be IN paradise; will go there.
So he mounted the low, broad staircai
on to little room he had furnished 4
her with every luxurious trihe love couI
fancy, and which they had named par
disc.
Katie was lying on n low lounge starir
into vacancy. Shs hud been hoping again
hope that he would come, but she kne
that the train had been in some time.
She looked so slight, 50 frail, SO fearfu
ly i'll that feeling of terror came ov
him. Was she going TO die:
"katie, my wee wiley, said Roger sol
ly.
With stihed cry she sprang to her fe
and held her arms out to him with touc
ing look of appeal aud love. lie clasp
her, half faintinK, in his arms as he VIII
pered: .z- .
Look up wee wiley; your big bear Ii
come back TO you Let us forget the pa'
and with God i help begin nfresh. P"
But not one man In 800 could have al
ed as Roger did without being either
tyrant or brute, and not one woman
thousand as Katie did without feeli
insulted beyond bearing and having I
cry atom of love In her for the man W
+, struck her killed forever on the spot
COSY.