The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-10-06
DOlalQ NJ Ke0l'S
Wife:
BY Mary Anderson.
BY Mary Anderson.


ard Jessie Sumner, many Of Iii:
...,ds said he had made a mistake
che was merry, laughing girl OF
.;,btpen. fresh from school and he
i, fathers old friend, a quiet. self
attained man of thirtyfve, and il
I, scarcely be wondered at that many
20 heads were shaken over the ill.
escorted match.
They were married, and he took her
j tho old home that his family had
med and occupied for generations.
ue had always been devoted to bust
,.es caring little for the society of
omen. and knowing little Of them, ex-
rut the grim old spinster aunt who
M presided over his house since his
,other's death until he brought his
pung wife home.
Il never occurred to him that it was
dreary sort OF life for girl like
,ssie alone in the old house all day.
nth only the servants and ghosts of
hgone generations for company.
And when she grew pale and list
xs and lost her old elasticity of
orits, a fear that had haunted him
mce his wedding day took possession
4 him and poisoned his life-a fear
Mt she had married him for home
md position, and already regretted
M choice.
And then people began to discover
bst Mrs. McKeon was very charm
~ woman, and her husband veal
Ay and influential man, and invita-
nns began to pour in upon her.
And Jessie plunged into this new
"a Of fashionable dissipation with a
ut that was the natural reaction
hm the gloom and loneliness of the
rt year.
1t first her husband accompanied
| h wherever she went, for he had
mewhat old-fashioned notions as to
~ was right and fitting for women
~
ii It was life he utterly detest-
|Aslt interfered with his business,
n be locked below the surface, and
" the hollow falsehood it was after
Il and 1t grated On his fine ideas of
| nth and sincerity
Perhaps he was somewhat dictate
| d in his manner Of telling her this;
kfhaps she imagined SO. But when |
! urged the point she rebelled
R1st his assumption of authority.
4 was their first quarrel and their
q but 1t was a very bitter one.
Ner that he opposed her in moth
= but it was as though a great wall
lice had risen between them.
Ne devoted himself to business, and
y became the acknowledged leader
| the most exclusive circle in the
an.
md so years passed, and each one
ued them farther apart, until they
0m met, except at their own grand
talnments. Each year she be-
more the slave OF fashion, and
his Office. But through it all he
= her with an undying love. and
ae thought was to crafty her
NJ xhim.
- when the dark days came
snips that were sent out freight.
Mln costly wares went down and
heard OF no more-when houses
eemed stable as granite failed,
- wealth seemed melting away ,
snow-wreath. his only thought
ner; and though each day his .
Uew winter, and his form grew ,
q with bending over the long }
OF figures, in which the bal :
s always on the wrong side, 6
salspered, For her sake" and {
ed on and denied her nothing. i
even on the day when he came
moving that all his efforts had O
MIN nothing and he was a :
san, his only regret was for her =
= would never more be able to !
60 the things for which She had -
wed 50 much. i
'ene INTO the grand old library, ~
vas almost the only room in the :,
.nat remained unchanged, and +,
y collect his thoughts. How :
" tell her? was the question
ela1ed itself through his mind,
inc first time in his life Don
caeon was a coward. !,
ne resolved that this at least
nu spare her. After all his OBJ :,
were met, there would be
left, not more than she had >,
IN sned on one dinner, perhaps, "
enough to keep her from ab-