Year: 1865

not OF any account DeVOnu the sphere
of household and maternal duty: and as
if she were useful piece of machinery
working for his comfort, feeling nothing
and desiring nothing. Did you ever see
them together at place Of public amuse
mentf


None answered in the affirmative.


Il have seen him very often at the
theatre and opera, but seldom in com
pany with his wife.


II can speak to the point on that head,
remarked another, coming in with her
testimony, and manifestin.J considerable
warmth of feeling. Il have spent days
at a time with Mrs. Green. We were
friends of long standing, and l loved
her dearly. 1t was just as you have
heard Mr. Green never seemed to
imagine that his wife needed change,
recreation, ana amusement like other
people Once. while was in the family
the wife of Mr. Green's cousin, who re
sided IN Cincinnati, made them visit
She was handsome, lively, companions
bic woman, who had left three children
and husband at home TO the care of
domestics while she enjoyed herself
few weeks at the East Mr.. Green gave
up all his leisure to her entertainment,
drove her out to see all the noble places
in and around the city, and took her TO
the Academy of Music, or to the theatre,
l am sure as often as two or three times
a week.


Wont Mrs. Green go with Us Z: in
duired the cousin, when the Itrst drive
out was being proposed.


"Oh, no. YOU need not ask hcr. She
never goes anywhere, replied Alr.
Green, before his wife had time to an
sweT


Il looked at Mrs Green. She smiled
family, and said in her quiet patient
way


Il am very much occupied this after
noon"


She's always occupied, said Mr..
Green


did not make out whether he meant
apology or sarcasm. But there was no
lnistaking the indifference Of his manner.
looked from the fresh, healthy counte-
nance and bright eyes Of his cousin, to
the thin. pale face and Ianguid eyes of
his wife, and my heart grew angry. For
her, change, fresh air, and the eNhIiera
ton of a ride were as necessary To healta
and life as food and he had not Een
asked her 10 accompany them; nay, when
the cousin inquired il she was not gong,
he had been in haste to answer Tor ner
in the negative.


Il did not ride ont with Mr.. Green
and his cousin, though the compliment
of an invitation was extended. Mrs
Green put on a faint show of satisfaction
at the enjoyment her relative was to have
but after they were gone l saw tears In
her eyes, and noticed change IN her
manner Her face was paler, and there
was an expression about her mouth that
did not clearly understand; but 1T was
indicative of pain


sAre YOU not well p I asked ''She
had laid her head down, suddenly, on a
small work table by which she was sew
ing. She did not answer Immediately
When she did reply, perceived that her
voice was troubled -


ssMy head aches badly


How long has your head been ach-
ing 7" l inquired.


For half an hour or so"
You should have ridden out, l SAID
but she made no response. a little
while afterward | saw her shiver. Put
ting one of nv hands on hers, I was
chilled by its coldness. The touch made
her shiver again. She had q nery 0us
chill. Through a little persuasion got
her to bed, and put hot water to her feet
Z In the course of half a. hour she was
better: bat the headache reu aimed.


Mr.. Green and the cousin came back
from the ride with every evidence OF
having enioved themselves. Both were
in high spirits wondered as / looked
at the cousins bright, healthy face, and
then at Mrs Green's shadOwy ceunte-
nance-so pale and thin-if her husband
did not notice the difIicrence-if there
was no tenderness and compassion in
his heart-if he did not plainly see that
she was drifting away from him


Flushing away, rather spoke out
one of the company. sharply. Pushing
out upon the river Of death IS boat :
thrust from the shore.


L accept Your better figure .. speech,
said tie other.


Yes. the hand that should have held
her % the shore, thrust. he. ont upon the
dark river. and we who have loved her
have lost her"


MAY i not have been her own fault:
vq. now suogcsted " on ha1w som,
women busy thems elves amid their house
hold and motherlv cares, and resist Al
their husbands efforts to draw them ou
into society They shut themselves II
from the bright sun and fresh health
, giving air; away from social and pubic
life. anil ,irooD and fade. self Inundated
in their homes A husband Is not re
sDonsible. and should not be blamed 10
this


IF our sweet friend who has left rs.
such was the reply. had possessed
cold hear. and also less loyal TO duty
she might have been alive TO day. "Bn
She had mind Of exceedingly delicat
organization. and was hurt by touche
that would fall lightly as a feather upol


most hearts Mr.. Green ought to hay
known this She was his wife. \ true
devoted. and faithful wife. If she wa
so busted with home duties that she fail
ed for lack of sunshine and air; tn
fault was his. Mr.. Green Is a clos
man. as we say-a saving monevlovinI
man. He was liberal TO himself. bu
never to his wife If expenditure wa
for his appetite-his pleasure or convent
ence. there was no stint: if for his wife