The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-06-28
miscellaneous.
SWEETHEARTS AND WIVES

window, bright face in the street.
The window is thrown open, and
smile goes from the bright face to the
sober one, giving it new and pleas
anter aspect. Both faces are young
that at the window the youngest-al-
most childlike. Yet the window face
is the face of wife, and the street
face that of II maiden, fancy free"
How strangely | was deceived,
Bella y said the lady in the street.
Deceived How, Mary What do
you mean? But come in. You're just
the one | wish to see."
81 was sure | saw you, not ten MIN
utes ago, riding out with Harry said
the young friend, as they met and EN-
braced at the door.
"Oh, dear, no! | haven't been out
riding with Harry for month";"
Indeed! How's that | can re-
member when you rode out together
almost every afternoon"
Yes but that was before our mar
rage" replied the young wife in Il
voice that made her friend look into
her face narrowly.
1.-The husband has less time for re-
creation than the lover He must
give more thought for business" re-
marked her friend.
The little wife tossed her head and
shrugged her shoulders in doubtful
way, saying as she did so, Il don't
know about the business but lovers
and husbands are different pecies
of the genus homo. The explanation
lies somewhere in this direction, pre-
sumo
"Ah, Bella, Bella. That speech
doesn't come with IL musical sound
from your lips" remarked the friend,
smiling, yet serious.
Truth is not always melodious,"
said Bella.
How is it as to sweethearts and
wives ?; asked the friend. do they
belong to the same class -
The question appeared to reach the
young wife's ears with Il suggestive
force Her face was Il little changed
as she answered
Il don't know Perhaps not
The friend had been scanning the
young wife for some moments from
head to foot in way that now elicit
ed the question
DO you see anything peculiar
about me ~
Yes" was answered.
"What?''
"a peculiar untidiness that l never
observed in the sweetheart"
Bella glanced down at her soiled
and ruffled dress.
MY negligee,' she said, with little,
short laugh.
$50 l should think. Now, shall
draw your picture p
Yes IF you have an artist fancy"
Here it is. Hair lusterless and I'M
tidy skin dull for want of action and
feeling wrapper better conditioned
for the wash tub and ironing table
than as garment for the fair person
of young wife no collar nor orna-
ment of any kind and a countenance
well, can't give that as l saw it a
little while ago at the window, but
I'm sure it wasn't the face to charm a
lover Perhaps it might suit hus-
band-but have my doubts
Bella felt the reproof of her friend
as was evident by the spots that began
to burn ON her cheeks.
You wouldn't have me dress as for
a party every day - she said.
"Oh, no but I'd have you neat and
sweet as young wife should always
be- that is, if she cares for the fond
eyes of her husband. l verify believe
it was Harry [ saw riding out a little
while ago y
Bella threw quick, startled look
upon her friend, who already regret
ted her closing sentence.
why did you say that? What did
you mean - she asked.
Il only said it to plague you," an
swered the friend.
ITO plague me ~
There was an expression in Bella s
face that Mary had never seen there
before Her eyes had grown sudden
ly of a darker shade, and were eager
and questioning. Her lips lay closer
together there were lines ON her fore
head.
'You are not really in earnest, Mary
about seeing Harry riding out with a
lady this afternoon" she said in a
voice and with look that revealed
fully her state of mind. The color
had left her face, and her heart shook
in her voice.
Il was probably mistaken, Bella, y
replied the friend, though had not
doubted of the fact a moment until
saw you at the window a little while
ago"
ibid you notice the lady particular,
lyr
mo; but let the matter pass, dear
No doubt | was mistaken. 1t is wOr
rying you more than l could have i'm
agined."
Bella looked at her friend for some
moments, in strange way then Civ
ing a low, suppressed, wailing cry
bent forward and face upon hel
bosom, sobbing and shuddering il
such wild turbulence of feeling that
her friend became actually alarmed
you have frightened me p said the
young wife, lifting her head at last, as
her excitement died away. "Ah
Mary, if | should lose my husbands
love it would kill me ~
"Then, Bella, )" answered her friend
''see to it that you neglect none of the
means required for keeping it. If yoU
would continue to be loved you mus
not grow unlovely. The charms thai
won your husband must not be folded
up, and kept for holiday occasions
and then put on for other eyes thar
his. You must keep them ever dis
7 played before him nay, put on new
: attractions. Is not the husband ever
T dearer than the lover, and his hear
better worth the holding? Loci
, back, my dear friend, over the brie
moons that have waxed and waneC
since you were a bride. Put yoursel
on trial, and take impartial testimony
How has it been? Has your tempe