Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-06-13
CHAPTER XIV.


him "Good-by and thank YOU" he looked
grieved, but neither surprised nor angry.
1--WE will not judge her." was all he
said. 1--WE ought Motive that are so
happy"
"But there is something beyond both
happiness and misery-the question OF
right and wrong"
Nevertheless, still say, Judge not,
thatye be not judged, especially in a cues
ton Of husband and wife. Each indi-
yidual case has its different aspect, which
no outsider can quite understand. My
darling, let us say no more about 1t.
And she knew by his manner that he
was determined to say no more about IT.;
80, being wise woman, she also held her
tongue.
But all that evening they seemed to
breathe freer-certainly he did-thor-
oughly enjoying the empty house and the
quiet Preside, where there was no need to
make conversation, but the two sat to-
gether in the sweet unreserve and COM
plete rest of married life, as free as being
alone, and yet without any of the dreari-
ness of solitude.
Nevertheless, mean you to go out in
Silence. "Have you forgotten the dinner
at Symington"
This was the New Years eve party
which they had discussed before Bella,
and which Silence had urged him to ac-
cept, as it was half pleasure, half bust
ness A certain imam of letters" good
old-fashioned words, and very appropriate
in this case as tra-distinguished from
imam of genius'D who had talked much
with Roderick at the first dinner, had
been rash enough to express wish to see
the rejected novel, now lying, forlorn and
dust-enshrouded, on the top shelf of the
old oaken press. Silence made her hus-
band lift it down, and watched his eye
brighten as he turned it over.
"'Nothing venture, nothing win,'" said
she, as she rearranged it tenderly and tied
it up afresh. GAS you say in this very
book, dear, Take the world at its best,
and it will not give you its worst; believe
in it, and it will believe in you.
'"To convict me out of my own mouth,
you traitorW said he, laughing. He had
ben half inclined to hide his head at
h.me, having grown very weary of late
in body and mind, but the light in his
wifes eyes lighted up his own courage
once more; he consented to 20 as she
wished. "But you, my darling2"
Il shall be glad to get rid of you'll have
plenty to do at home"
"Only too much" said he, signing. "Tell
me honestly, was your visitor a trouble
to your
eyes, in some ways. But she could not
help it, and did not mind"
"Why did you not tell me?"
She smiled in his face with that half
playful, half-tender, yet wholly deter
mined look she had at times. Frederick
If you think shall inform you of all my
little household affairs-you, man with
quite enough cares of your own-you are
greatly mistaken; never shall. We will
have fair division of labor you
the bread-winner, the bread-ds-
penser. Did you not once tell me
lady was Saxon word and meant loaf
giver? which implies that the wife should
manage the house and take care of the
money. I intend to do it. can't do your
work, but should be ashamed of myself
il could not do my own without laying
the burden of it upon you, who are-slight-
ly incapable"
Roderick laughed outright. "AIy queen!
AS used to call you-you are beginning
to govern in good earnest. But your hus-
band is not afraid"
"He need not be-" she said, softly, TAX
ing his hand and kissing it. "He will al
ways be stronger and wiser than l, in his
own way. And now go to your grand din
ner at Symington."
Though he had not liked going, when
he really was there Roderick found he
liked it very much. He had always been
that best type of his sex-a man whom
men appreciate, even as the woman whom
women are fond of is certainly the
noblest kind of woman. SAnd now that
his fate was settled, his wife chosen, his
home made. taken his place among men
as man and citizen, ready to help on
in the worlds work, without doubts or
drawbacks, he found his position both
pleasant and honorable. Sure of it and
of himself, and finding himself among peo-
pie who evidently neither knew nor cared
how much he had year. and whether he
kept two servants or twenty, the young
mans spirits rose, and he enjoyed himself
heartily-so heartily that it was not until
Lady Symington said something about o
New Years gift to his wife, that he re-
membered what night it was, and how
Silence was sitting alone at home. All
the party were to wait up together,
Scotch fashion, to see 'the old year out
and the new year in" but he hastily made
his adieus and walked off, rather vexed
with himself, and yet not much, since he
had good news to bring home. AAd he
knew his wife was not one of these foolish
women who exact endless outside observ-
ances; she was content to lie safe in his |
heart, knowing that she was as complete
ly part of himself as that true heart
which went on silently beating, keeping
fresh all the springs of life, whether he
ever noticed it or not.
Walking rapidly through the starlight
ed night, strangely mild and still, as often
happens on New Years eve, just rs
though nature took a plea" re in this mo-
tionless watch over = g old year that "lies
a-dying," Roderick felt a softness almost
like spring in the air. 1t seemed to stir
all his young blood-he, with life all be-
fore him to will and to do. And some of
the talk that night had given him a re-
newed impulse both as to will and deed.
81 must tell her at once. / know she
win approve of it," said he to himself.
ut" was an idea started by the kindly
''man of letters"-that did Mr.. Jardine's
imaginative writing fail, there was sub
ject very popular just now, and likely TO