Year: 1877

! - iurnlSneo, convenient ana SuitaDle, but


without any OF the grace that only wo-


mans love for home can give. The piano


was never touched except when Emma prac-


ticed difficult compositions that were grand


only because some famous musician wrote


them, but which never touched the heart or


awoke an answering chord. She never
sang anything but "operatic gems


so unlike the tender ballads that used to fil


the house with melody. She had no time


for these simple things now. One OF her
articles had appeared in the daily paper, but


some how Clarence did not feel rs proud as


he thought he would. She wrote with care
and deliberation, but totally without entbu-
sasm, and as that was only one OF series
she proposed to furnish the editor she was
sparipg OF her store of information, and
elaborated the ideas at great length. She


read paper on some abstruse subject before


the church society, and was preparing an
other for the literary club. She visited peo-
pie who wrote much, and those who criti-
cised the writer's, and that third class, who
in turn censure the critics, and made friends
Of all. She was on half dozen committees,
was an officer of three or four societies-in
short, she was developing fast into an i'm
portant woman. She had no time for hus-
band or home, treating one either as a neces-
sary evil or an escort, as the moment decided.
and using the other as a restaurant or lodg-
ing place. She had many guests, and so in
tent was she on literary pursuits that she
would leave her husband at home TO go of
on botanical or geological tour with a
party at moments notice. Somehow Mrs
Gray, Sr., and her daughter Martha did not
enjoy visit 10 the cottage home as they
once did. Now they were met by calm


composed lady, ready to discuss sociology or
evolution, taken TO table where the food
was Of no consequence to the hostess pro-
vided there was a book to criticise, and left
to enjoy themselves as best they could, while
she prepared an article or went to the club.
The house, no longer under her economical
care, soon run Mr.. Gray in debt, and these,
coupled with his extravagant personal ex-
penses, made bills that rapidly destroyed his
peace of mind. He had to go TO work to
meet his liabilities, and hour after hour he
labored as he had never dreamed he could.
He succeeded well in his profession, but he
missed his home comforts His wife was far
in advance of him in the way of fame, her
public work drawing attention to her, and
measuring himself by her he saw how foolish
he had been to be egotistical. He began to
doubt her love, so Indifferent did she seem,
so pleased to be away from him, so wrapt up
m literary aspirations and plans, ana though
he could point to nothing as proof he was
jealous. She seemed happy laughing and
chatting with her friends, busy with her
books and pencil, and never able to give
him moment. He saw what fool he had
been to destroy his home to feed his
vanity, for that was the truth of it all.


One night, dreary and sad, be came from
his business to his home. There was no
light in the window to cheer him, no wife
at an open door TO welcome him, no girlish
voice to call his name, nor loving lips to kiss
him gladly and tenderly. He groped his
way through the hall to his room and threw
himself wearily on the bed. He saw his
folly; it was useless to try to correct his mis-
take. Wilfully, knowingly, he had poison
ed the cup, and he must drink it to the
dregs He could have cursed himself and
died, and covering his face he sobbedr my
wife," In moment she was by him, her
arms clasping him close, her tear-wet face
bent TO his. Clarence, darling, are you i'll?
What is the matter? Have / again dis
pleased your" Emma, please, for heavens
sake. stop. Displease me2 No. / have
only ruined my own life. Oh! if you were
only my own wife again; if my home was
only home again, would ask no more. But
it is all my own fault 1 would not let you
alone in your quiet happiness, and this is
my reward" my husband, would it plea G.
you il again was your housekeeper, your
home-loving wife? Tell ME only the truth.
May give up these things that are 30 for
eign to my tastes and aspirations2 May we
go back to our first married lifeg" Her
voice trembled with emotion she clung to
him closer and awaited his answer.
'My wife. if you will do this
l will never ask another blessing"


In an hour the sitting room was lighted,
dainty tea table spread there because "Mr.
Gray liked it best" the egg shell china ar
ranged prettily, and few buds and gerani-
um leaves laid by his plate. With braided
hair and neat home dress Emma sat by her
husband telling little trihes Of baby, friends
and neighbors, but avoiding all unpleasant
subjects. Afterwards with the bit of zephyr


work so long hidden she whiled away the


time until the clock chimed midnight. She


had told Clarence her love for her home du-


ties and her hatred of publicity, her taste
for cooking for domestic economy, for


housekeeping, and her adherence OF liter
airy matters, and half laughingiy. half earn


nestly made HIM promise to let her be her
self UTut I reaIIv do not want to mil Won