Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-08-24
MY RIVAL.
BY LEON ABBY.

was sure jack loveu me. lie nau,
In an intermittent sort of way, ever
since we were married three years be-
fore. But, after the noble fashion of
men, having gotten possession of the
desired object, and being sure that
the heart of that object belonged en-
tirely and wholly to him, he had ceased
to make much effort to show his affec-
tion, or even keep it up to normal heat.
Occasionally there was a relapse to the
old loverlilse devotion, little anxiety
on his part to give me some of his so
ciety, little recreation, bit of fun in
the shape of an old-time jaunt that
used, alasl to be SO many and now were
SO rare.
But, on tine whole, things moved on
in jog-trot way, varied once in awhile
by 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 my ex-
perience was the usual one. Men, my
dear" said my Cousin Theo, pretty
matron ten years my senior, linen are
not put up as we are, unfortunately no.
In proportion as woman grows fond
more truly written than Byron's
Love is of mans life thing apart,
etc. 1 had to get used to it myself
and l shed buckets of tears the first
year Tom and l were married. The
first night he staid at the club till one
and smelled frightfully of wine when
he got home. l nearly had a fit. l
cried and vowed should go back to
dear mamma. But l didn't, and now
we get on comfortably. The bills are
my greatest sorrow, and nothing short
of the sight of Tom actually kissing
the cook or eloping with an opera
singer would arouse my Indignation. ="
thought Theo heartless; the future
she pictured seemed dreary one, but
gradually fell into that very state of
mind l grew to be servilely grateful
for the crumbs of old-time tenderness
that fell to my lot, and even sometimes
congratulated myself that Jack re-
Trained from actually being unkind.
Such is the humility of women and
dogs.
But there came change. l thought
was hardened to almost as much
as Cousin Theo, but 1 found that
things had not been so bad that they
could not be worse.
Jack grew more and more distrait.
When he had read the paper, instead
of his usual polite inquiries after my
health, occupations, etc, he relapsed
into deep fits of reverie. Something
was certainly troubling him. was
e., J., 10 n
caressing hand on his soft brown hair,
and ask if business was going wrong.
He would rouse himself, answer hast
lily, and, getting his hat, go off hur-
riedly. There were many little SER
mons preached on economy about this
time; the duty of a woman to save (our
income was very moderate one).
When l spoke of a trip to the country,
the proposition met with ominous
silence at first. Then could go alone
this year" Didn't think it was about
as pleasant at home as anywhere.
Now, in our little country trips Jack
had seemed more like the dear old fell
low who had wooed and won me in the
sweet past. l was loath to give it up.
But my heart had taken 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 at home were sub
merged by waves of care, loaded down
by bulk of work, rose before me. No.
| would not be selfish, said bravely;
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
groaned and muttered almost unin.
telligible words. Leaning over him
with visions of delirium in my mind
was sure / caught an occasional word
even a phrase: "She is beauty" o,
am sure he said that, and then "Ariel
Is sumner" 1 woke him, but he de-
MED having said word. Crowded a,
being walked and was distinctly cross
But life lost even its calm content fol
me. Hes, to be sure / had gotten ac
customed to dull, gray days, to weeks
of monotony, but was not prepared
for this keen pain, this frightful jeal
ousy that took possession of me. Jack
was in love. There was no manner Of
doubt of it. Did he have all the sign:
-abstracted, silent, troubled, with
dreams of the beloved, unattainabls
object, whoever she was? He was very
busy in the office, knew, but there
were the evenings, the cool, scented
summer nights that had once been SC
sweet. jack would bolt his dinner
kiss me perfunctorily, and rugh off
He had to meet a man at the club oi
he was going to fathers. Father livec
at the other end of town, but one even
ing found my way out there. | was
ashamed of myself. L hated the ides
that could not trust my husband.
would not watch him. Still in spite
of it all my feet turned in that direc
tion. Mechanically took the car tina
led to the door of Jacks parenta
abode. walked up to the veranda, OF
which sat merry group of young peo
pie. They greeted me cordially
where's Jack? Isn't he here?"
asked, with that sickening feeling a
my heart that all jealous women know
"No, he hasn't been here for weeks.
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