The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-09-19
MANS INGRATITUDE.

Capt. Leroy's regiment had gone to the
front. and his lovely little wife was left
alone TO face the separation as best she
might
She was one of those weak, clinging lit
tie women who, petted and spoiled ali
their lives, always depend on others i'll
trouble, and are never capable in any
emergency OF thinking Or acting for
themselves. SO when the parting came
she gave way utterly, cried her pretty
eyes dim, and declared. with sobs which
shook her slight frame, that the blow
would kill her.
Don't cry so. my darlingw pleaded
poor Tom. BE Il brave little woman for
my sake. Remember you are Il soldier S
wife, and face trouble with courage and
cheerfulnesS.'
I can't. l can't she sobbed.
Think of baby. Maggie"
Babies only add to ones misery, she
replied.
Nonsense, she will be a comfort to
YOU. and remind you Of her father" urged
Tom.
LAS if [ should need reminding. AS if
YOU would be out of my thoughts night OF
day. sleeping or waking. | shall MISS you
every minute Of my life" and the poor
child. she hardly seemed more in spite OF
her twenty-five years, chung to her hus-
band and cried as il her heart would
break
He begged her to try and bear up and
look forward to tie happy time of his
return with glory and honor.
Try to occupy your mind healthily,
dear: take up Il study or pursuit, or GO
down into the country with baby and stay
with your mother.
Mother would drive me mad with her
fussy sympathy" she answered petulant-
ly. Il want to be a;one, TO think Of you,
my dear one.'
but you mustn't. darling You'll only
NOPE. Stay here i'll town if you like, its
livelier but go about ana see ali the
friends you cas-. so everywhere, dear
old Dick is always ready to escort YOU
and he loves you like a sister. You can
trust him entirely, dear, and he will
come to you at once III any trouble OF
difficulty. Promise me to trust Dick.
She promised, and then the parting had
TO come, and to both it was more bitter
than death.
s.
He was gone and hIadge lay on the
couch in her dressing room for an houl
in the abandonment of a grief which she
felt that nothing in the world could
soothe.
Then spent with weeping she lay quite
still IN the dusk, trying to picture hel
life without the tender sOlicitude and lOy
ing care Of the husband she adored.
Presently her maid. Bates, crept softly
in with cup of tea, and asked if she
should light the gas
Madge nodded assent. and, when the
girl had gone, reused herself and went
to the glass.
What fright" she exclaimed. q
mustn't cry any more, or l shall lose my
thnn Tom won't know
me if-when he comes back
Her lips quivered. bur she checked he1
tears and bathed her eyes in cold watel
for half an hour, with wonderful effect
Grief doesn't make the ravages on thu
young that it does on their elders.
She took up the latest novel, but II
failed to interest her. Then she fell K
turning over the dresses i'll her wardrobe
"a, to her, always interesting occupa
ton In the midst Of it Bates returned
and handed her Il card.
oh. Dick" she exclaimed, glancing a
it. Tell Mr.. Denver l can see no ONT
50 sOon--so very s0on.'
He said, ma am. that he knew yOu't
see him, so old and intimate a friend o
the masters. You needn't dress or any
thing and he's come straight from see
ing the master off, and has message
for YOU"
Madge no longer hesitated. With th'
woman's nelp she slipped on handsome
old-gold dressing gown trimmed will
black Spanish lace. brushed back he
wayy hair, and with last look at The
toilet glass, slowly descended the stair!
TO the drawing room.
Young Denvers tall form rose from tn,
couch to meet her, and as he took he
hand with tender sympathy and drew
her to the seat beside him. he said, in
tone of brotherlr authority:
Il knew YOU were all alone and want
ed cheering. Tom gave me my orders
and they We're strict. | shall obey then
to the letter.
Madge smiled family and shook hel
head.
Dick. always the brightest and witties
of companions, started off, in his usua
rafting way, with Il lot OF society anC
club gossip, and scandal, such as Madge'
frivolous little soul delighted in, ant
amused her so well that presently sht
found herself laughing heartily.
She checked herself, and then Dicl
scolded her.
Such rot" he exclaimed. Dear ok
Tom would be only too glad to hear You
and grateful to me into the bargain
He wants you to be as jolly as Il it'll
sand boy-girl | mean. Now, what form
of wild dissipation can we indulge III to
night? The first evening is always TIL
worst: once that's over you'll soon ge
hScu 10 HIS dUSeHtc. l)OL Spcliu IL al
home where things remind you. Tr.
quite new scenes. Let's go out to n the
alter, concert. or gaff of some kindT'
oh" protested Madge weakly. "woulC
it be quite the thing so soon-the yer,
same day."
Quite" he assured her Its hi
wish. You'll be pleasing him. Nov
what do you say to the Empire? You'v
never been to Il music hall III your life
have you?"
"Oh, no. J couldn'tr'
why not"'
II scarcely know. Are they quit,
proper? Tom never took me!''
80 much the better. Lots of ladie
90: there is nothing in the entertainment
the least offensive to the most refined
taste and it will be novel experienc,
for you
II should feel quite dissipatedr'