Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-04-25

'M HH VI IL Nlihn tllb W
be was not happy The sole cause OF
his trouble was that he was so years
old, while his pretty wife was only %.
He had spent all his life in business,
had never married, or even been really
In love, until couple of years or so
ago when he retired from the firm Of
which he was senior partner-Hall-
wool & Welshrunk, the famous wool
Importers. After being released from
the cares of business, he travelled for
couple of months in Europe, but did
not enjoy it very much.
On returning to America, he spent
few weeks ut the country house of an
old friend-and enjoyed himself might
ly, for in the person Of the pretty and
lOvable goycrness Of his hosts children
he met his fate.
Now, Mr.. Hullwool was a handsome,
weIl-preseryed man, and, being also
very rich, no one could blame him for
selecting Il poor girl to be his wife. But
Margaret Bedford, though poor, be-
longed to good family, which had be-
come impoverished through various
causes, and when 1t was evident that
she must go out into the world to earn
q living for herself, she submitted to
her altered fortunes without replning.
Miss Belford was fortunate in secur-
ing so good Il home as she did under
Mr.. Staples roof, and, we may add,
still more fortunate when she attracted
the atfectlonate attentions of the visi-
tor, Mr., HallwOol, for he was an up
right, genial American gentleman. He
was painfully conscious of the disparity
in years between himself and the young
lady whose charms had played such
havoc with his well-seasOned heart
But as 1t was evident that there was
affection on both sides, the love-smitten
pair were not long in coming to an I'M
Outstanding.
In two months afterwards Miss Bel
ford became Mrs. Hallwool, and amply
fulfilled the prophecy Of Mr.. Staple,
who gave her away" for he said:
Horace, my boy, she's the best gov
erness l ever met with, and she'll be
the best wife in America, after Mrs
Staple, Of course"
1t was the second anniversary of his
wedding, and Mr. Hallwools house was
aDIaze with light in every room and
thrOnged with merry company Mirth
and music reigned supreme, and the
beauty, grace and vivacity of Mrs Hall
wool won admiration from young and
old. 1t was this fact that infused a
dash Of bitterness in Horace HallWools
cup of happiness.
When he saw his young wife the CEN
ter of attraction to the few young men
present, pang, something almost akin
to jealousy, shot through his heart, and
he muttered:
81 would give half my fortune could
rellve half the years l have passed.
All! If We're only % instead of 80 1
should be perfectly happy and content
ed"
Although he had every proof Of the
strength and sincerity Of his wife'S
affection for him, the idea that his age
might cause her to compare him un-
favorably with some of their younger
male friends, took strong hold of him.
Thus it was that Mr. Hallwool, after
the company had separated, persuaded
his wife to retire to rest, while he re-
manned in the drawing-room, in order
aS,he said to write an important letter
which he had forgotten.
He sat down in the cosy armchair
before the fire and brooded over his
imaginary trouble, very injudiciously
solacing himself with occasional "nips'
from decanter placed temptingly neal
him. The stimulating beverage, how
ever, did not seem to have very sooth
ing effect upon him for he turned an(
twisted in the roomy chair uneasily.
Much to his surprise, Mr.. Hallwoo
found himself walking modify in Cen
tral Park. 1t was sudden change, bu
he did not try to return to his cos,
home. He simply walked on and on
aimlessly, but with sort of dim idei
that he might succeed in banishlng tn
thoughts that troubled him if he coul
only tire himself out.
So he walked ON in the chilly nigh
air and spoke aloud as he walked, TO
he was alone, with but the rustlin
evergreens and bare trunks of tree
to hear his rawlings.