Smyrna times., 1895-07-03

that attracted me to him, whatever it
may have been, had long since van
ished. [ saw my husband as he really
was. knew, too, that he had tired of
me-that he regarded me as an incubus.
He was of roaming disposition, and
could have given way to his lnclina-
tions had it not been for his trouble
some wife. He grudged me the food
that cost him any labor to procure, and
met my small demands with impati
ence. He spent his time in fishing and
harvesting, leaving to me the chief
care of the small vegetable garden.
Sometimes he was away for days to-
gether, during which time l was utter
ly alone.
THE nearest town was nearly twenty
miles away. Valentine never allowed
me to go here-why, l never knew;
but he was naturally cruel. He bad
periodical moods that resembled insan-
ity. | grew positively afraid of him,
and dreaded to her him speak. He
had made life such hideOus dream to
me, from almost the first month of our
marriage, that ! could better endure
his silence than his speech.
81 used to wonder in a dull way,
sometimes, how it would all eud, but
fniS was written sooner than ! eXpec-
ted Valentine shot himself accidently,
one day, while out hunting. He was
quite dead when they found him. The
| beautiful face was cold and still, and
the stormy, troubled eyes were closed
forever. Well, he is gone now, and |
forgive him; he flooded my young life
with misery, and crushed my spirit.
81 had enough on the ranch to bring
me little money. | bought pre-
sentable dress and ticket to my girl
| hoods home. | looked back at the
house as | left it, the scene of so much
misery, but | was too sad and broken
to feel any emotion as yet. When
walked in on Uncle Ralph he stared at
me as if were ghost.
'Marcia-poOr Marcia My child,
my child How you have suffered = he
said.
"Then he clasped me in his arms,
and we cried together. Uncle Ralph
was always as tender as a woman, and
| know my changed appearance must
have shocked him greatly.
Il told him as llttle of my story as
could, and tried to forget the rest
Little by little, in this atmosphere o
love and kindness. my face regained its
old color and my step its elasticity.
was young, and youth, after all, is ir
repl essible. The tan faded from my
cheeks, my eyes lost their unhappy
expression in the society of my dear
ones, and, as time went on, / grew
merry and happy again.
II spent five happy, tranquil year.
with Uncle Ralph and Aunt Alice
Then met your Uncle Max. Well
you know what my life has been since
my second marriage. No more pov
erty, frowns and ill-treatment, but {
season of plenty, peace and happiness
with love to make the pathway smooth
Ah, girls, don't be misled by the tirs
handsome man who crosses your path
Look into the heart, and read it well
for you can't love where you canno
respect, and mere fancy soon cools
There are no more men like Uncl
MaX-yOu may laugh, but it is true !
but there are always noble hearts to b.
found. Only be careful Weigh tn
matter well Remember that, thOugi
a poor man may be a good one, pOvert.
is no recommendation in a suitor.
husband who constantly feels the neet
of money is a much less cheerful com
panion tLan the one who has all h
wants, Here comes Uncle Max now
! must go to meet hiW"
Aunt Marcia Whisked out of tn
room with happy smile, as if her lif
had never been anything but sunshine
| The three UirlS Look pd after he
thoughtfully and said almost in chorus
Poor Aunt Marcia! Who woul
ever dream it to see her now?"
The eldest one, the girl with tn
fluffy hair, twisted a pretty ring upo
her third finger in a very abstracte
manner, as she went slowly to he
room. Aunt Marcia's story had sun
into her heart, aud shp was saved from
a life Of unhappiness and trouble b
the tale told that rainy afternoon.