The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-08-24
MY RIVAL.

was sure Jack loved me. He had, In
an intermittent sort Of way, ever since we
were married three years before. But aft
or the noble fashion Of men, having got
possession of the desired object and being
sure that the heart of that object belonged
entirely and wholly to him, he had ceased
to make much effort to show his affection
or even keep It up to normal heat. Occa-
sionally there was relapse to the old low
erlike devotion, little anxiety eh his part
to give mo some of his society, little ROO
reat,on, bit Of fun in the shape Of an old
time jnunt that used, alasi to BIO SO many
and now were so rare.
But, on the whole, things moved on In q
jog trot way, varied once in awhile by a
burst Of tears and sobs from me that at first
he tried to soothe and from which at last
he rushed away. Some of my older friends
told me that my experience was the usual
one.
MEN, my DEAR" said my cousin Theo,
pretty matron ten years my senior, linen
are not put up as We arc unfortunately, no.
In proportion as a woman grows fond they
grow cold. Never were words more truly
written than Byron's Love is Of mans
life thing apart, etc. had to get used
to it myself, and shed buckets of tears
the first year Tom and were married.
The first night he staid at the club till
and smelled frightfully of wine when he
got home nearly had IT. ] cried and
vowed should go back to dear mamma.
But l didn't, and now We get on comfort
ably. The bills are my greatest SORROW,
and nothing short of the sight of Tom 20
tually kissing the cook or clipping with an
opera singer would arouse my indigna-
tion."
l thought Theo heartless The future
she pictured seemed dreary one, but I
gradually fell into that very state of mind.
l grow to be servilely grateful for the
crumbs of old time tenderness that fell to
my lot and even sometimes congratulated
myself that Jack refrained from actually
being unkind. Such is the humility Of
women and dogs.
But there came change thought
was hardened to almost as much as cous-
| in Thee, but found that things had not
been so bad that they could not be worse.
Jack grew more and more distract. When
he had read the paper, instead of his usual
| polite inquiries after my health, occupa-
tions, etc., he relapsed into deep fits Of
rexcrie. Something was certainly trou-
bling him. was sorry for him, even ven
tured to put caressing hand on his soft
brown hair and ask II business were going
wrong. He would rouse himself, answer
| hastily, anu HtbtluB Ills hhp KY VII huIlttu-
| ly. There were many little sermons
preached on economy about this time; the
duty of woman to save-our income was
| very moderate one. When l spoke of n
trip to tho country, the proposition mot
| with ominous silence at first. Then
could 1 go alone this year" Didn't I
| think 1t was about as PLEASANT at home as
anywhere. Now in our little country trips
Jack had seemed more like the dear old
fellow who had wooed and won me in tho
sweet past was loath to give 1t up. But
my heart had takon in these oft repeated
lessons as to woman's duty. Visions of
selfish wives Haunting gayly at seashore
and mountain resorts while their dear lords
al. homo were submerged by waves of care,
loaded down by bulk of work, rosc before
me. No. would not be selfish, said
bravcly. would stay at home and was
rewarded by an old time kiss.
But the atmosphere did not clear. Jack
tossed restlessly in his sleep. He groanod
and muttered almost unintelligihlo words.
Leaning over him with visions of delirium
In my mind, was sure 1 caught an occa.
sional word, even aphrase, "She is beau
ty." oh, am sure he said that, and
then, "Ariel is q sumner" woke him
but no denied having said n word, growl.
ed at being walked and was distinctly
cross.
But life lost even its calm content 70,
me. Yos, to bo sure had got accustomed
to dull, gray days, to weeks of monotony,
but was not prepared for this keen pain,
this frightful Jealousy that took possession
of me. Jack was in love. There was nc
manner of doubt of 1t. Did no not have
all the signs-abstracted silent, troubled,
with dreams Of the beloved, unattainablC
object, whoever she was. He was very
busy in tho office 1 knew, but there werC
the evenings tho cool, scented summer
nights that had once been so sweet. JacB
would bolt his dinner kiss me perfuncto
rily and rush of. He had to meet a mar
at the club or he was going to fathers.
Father lived at the other end of town
but one evening found my way out there
was ashamed of myself, hated the idef
that 1 could not trust my husband.
would not watch him. Still in spite of Il
all my feet turned in that direction, Nc
chemically took the car that led to thu
door of Jacks parental abode. l walkct
up to tho veranda, on which sat merr,
group of young people. They greeted INT
cordially.
"Where's Jack2i
isn't he herep' asked with that sick
ening feeling at my heart that oil jealou
women know.
mo. He hasn't been here for weeks. ="
For weeksl And twice in the last weel
he had gone to fathers"
Icontrolled myself bravely, laughed will
the rest, and brother Will took me home
All, cruel mockery to call that abode o
tears and sorrow home 1t was home NJ
longer. With gay good night l let my
self into the silent house and threw my
self on my bed in q fit Of historical sob
bling. Why, why did men make womel