The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-01-07
FAILED TO KEEP HIS PROMISE.
Domestic Tragedy in Which the Hus-
band Was the Heavy Villain.

"Why, you little simpleton, *
claimed Mr.. Hartleigh, gently pinchilg
his better half's bewitching little chin;
what question! OF course l do"
And you will keep all promises you
make to me?"
"Religiously."
And whatever I ask of you, you will
do?"
Yes; that is to say, darling, every
thing in reason"
"Ah, Harry, in our courtship days
YOU never thought of reason"
NO. probably not" said Harry with
smile that bore on the border of
2ynicism. mo, dear, of course not"
Then why do you now? Alas! !
fear that you do not care so much for
your Mamie as you used to do"
Nonsense. darling! I meant any
thing that it is possible for me to do"
And you are sure, Harry, that4 am
never out of your mind? That you
are always, always thinking ofsyour
PETE"
you are never out of my mind}an in
slant while am away, and whesSI err
asleep you are always with me in my
dreams"
''And, Harry dear, can trust you"
always, darling, and with anything.
Of whom do l think or care except your
sweet self?"
But then, men are so changPful."
''Some men. darling; but not your
loving husband. You will ever find me
the same, always true to You, always
keeping you in my thoughts, always
bent upon pleasing you, always ready
to respond to your behests!"
Are you sure, Harry?"
"Sure."
81 have a great favor to ask of you,
Harry"
"Oh, that's it; well, it is granted be-
fore it is asked"
Harry, my love, be careful how you
promise recklessly. 1t is no common
thing am going to ask of you"
at makes no difference what it IS,
darling, you have my promise"
"You may think me foolish, Harry,
but this is such an awful thing to ask
of you"
awful? Why, what in the world
can it be? You arouse my curiosity.
Come. dear. out with it,
"Well. dear, you are sure you won't
think me unreasonable?'
Not bit" ....
Nor eXacting?"
nix"
Don't trife, Harry; this is a serious
matter"
Serious? You don't mean that you
have been cooking something's"
what an idea! No"
cor that your mother is coming to
live with us?"
"Harry, you know better than that
"Then, for heavens sake, tell me
what it is" ~
Il will But don't start, and don't
refuse me. Here is a letter. dear, that
I want YOU to mail. It is important.
Now, you won't forget it, will you?"
you silly little goose! And it is
only this? Why didn't YOU tell me at
once? OF course | will do it. I'll put il
in the box at the corner as go by"
"And you will not forget to do it?"
"Forget? Impossible"
80 Harry, you don't know what load
you have taken off my mind. Here II
is. now be sure"
They embrace and kiss. and Mr.. Hart.
leigh goes off with the letter in his
hand, so as to be sure not to forget to
mail it, and his little wife goes singing
about the house happy in the assur.
ance that she has husband whom she
can trust.
In the evening, Mr.. Hartleigh, after
| the customary greeting, discovers
| dust on her husbands coat. Proceed.
| ing to dust it off with her hand she
perceiyes that there is something in his
breast pocket. What have you there?'
she asks.
Nothing, that I know Of" Harry re-
plies. But mechanically he thrusts his
hand into the pocket and draws some.
thing thence with the eXclama ton:
by Jove!"
1t is that letter which ne promised tc
mail.
His little wife bursts into tears. &c
Harry" she cries; mother told the
truth. The men are all alike. NY dream
of happiness is over. My husband ha.
proved false. Oh, why was l evel
born ?"
Mrs. Hartleigh did not go home tc
her mother, but in few days she APP
peared on the street in new seal sacqut
and perfect love of a bonnet-Bostor
Transcript.