Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-22

N92J
Pauline Sewan came into her chamber,
enI sat down abstractediy before her
dressing table. She had been married little
more than month, AMI her first quarrel
with ha- husband had taken place not
quite five minutes before. She had left
the scene OF the conflict with the proud
air of victorious general withdrawing
his troops: but now. she sat down to
review the battle. her heart sank with the
heavy consciousness that she had had de-
ciiedIy the worst of it,
II was not that she had not a glorious
cause nor could she claim that she had
been taken unawares. Pauline had long
fCreseen and been prepared for this struG-
gle. Her array of arguments, firm ana IN
vulnerable. had been drawn up in line OF
battle and reviewed many times words
we're to be the only weapons. Iears, the
exclusive and overwhelming allies OF her
sex were to he scornfully rejected. Ihere
should be a fair contest, in when man,
Traditional oppreSSor, serene ana lncFeuu-
lous of defeat. should be overcome on ms
own field of action. and with his own meth
DDS of welfare: but 50 courteouSiy ana
with so little flashing Of arms ard war OF
artillery that he might scarcely know HIM
self beatcn-ani peace was to follow, I'M
mediate and lasting.
Few campaigns. however, follow the eX-
act Tires marked out for them. The at
tack had come so suddenly, That glitter
ing line of argument, 50 inyinc bic when
on parade. Ia fled heIter-she!ter- y nor
rid sense OF confusion. the sharp sting of
a wound. blind skirmiSh with poisoned
arrows tobsoiete and unworthy weapon)
and the sight of the enemy. man, in agony.
and down goes woman once more, van
GuiShed by herself.
Pauline drew Il sharp breath and turn
ing quickly, took up her husbands Pho
tograph. to study it intently and curiousiy
hr had con lAfn no r
self was twenty-three. She had married
a of sixty. She had secretly feared
and adored this man, her fathers friend,
ali through her girlhood: admIring him for
ability which had brought him. typical
'self-made" man. from errs.nd hey to
owner of one of the largest dry goods shops
in New York; plying him fer his misfor-
tunes, the hysterical. weak-ninded wife
who had died five years age, aud his Two
sons. both weak and bad, who lad done
their undramatic worst to ruin him and
his fortunes.
The story was commonplace enough, but
it had come very close to Pauline, who
had watched the fortitude and strength of
her hero from day to day for 50 many
years.
There bad been plenty of people, at the
announcement of Mr.. SewelTs second en-
gagement, who had whispered of doting old
men and portionless girls. who married
for money; but Pauline had no Illusions as
to the position of things. She knew very
well that he was marrying her for nothing
more sentimental than that he wished
sensible and agreeable companion for his
old age.
During the past month she had watched
and studied him with an interest greater
than she had ever felt before She hal
been amused and touched by the evident
relief he felt at the orderlinesS and regu-
larity of his household arrangements His
surprise at the mcdesty of their first
months bills had been positively pat hectic.
Are these all2' he had said. tapping the
pile she had pres nted with peTemptory
fcrefinger. and looking up from under his
he&Vy brows in his searching way.
Are you so anxious for more2' she had
retorted. laughing And he had comment
ed, shortly. Yet we have lived very well.'
Once or twice she had caught an appre-
ciative twinkle in his eye. when she had
boldly and saucily stood out against hi.
viii in some small matter.
Mr.. Sewali was In the habit of rca ling
his morning pap-r at the breakfast table,
a habit he resumed after the wedding jour
ney- Pauline eyed him askanCe for sew
eral mornings. saying nothing. Then one
night she brought a book to the dinner
table. and ad demureiy throughout the
meal. 1t seemed orninous to her that her
husband made no sign, but toward the end
of dessert ore of her uneasy accommodating
glances met a very quizzical one from him,
ana that conflict was won by laugh ard q
blush
There was however. lust one thing which
Pauline had known from the first would
cause trouble between her husband and
herself She had one brother, a weak and
stumbling apology of man. resembling
Sufficiently Mr.. SeWalls own two sons. But
Pauline cherished for John COwdeu a pity
ing ana unshakabIe affection. such as his
mother might have felt if she had lived.
His frequent appeals for money to his
father had long since EeeH received with ia
difference, but Pauline was never weary
with Sympathy and excuse, and stubborrly
continued to divide with him whateI e.
small store of spending money came to her
purse. though much against the wishes OF
her family, Mr.. Sewali had said to her.
shortly before their wedding, II wish you
10 u3d -rstsHd, Potiiine. that though I shall
settle certain amount on you every year
for your own personal use, not cent of
my money is ever To be thrown AWAY on
John COwden. he girl had stiffenrd and
redeemed. opening her lips as if to speak,
and then sitting silent She hal her own
ideas on this subject assuring herself