Year: 1878

ooh Edward take back those words,
they shame your manhood 1t was your
wife to whom you spoke, Nellie is very
young, and with all her perseverance she
is yet a tender, loving wife, whose heart
is well night broken by your unkind
speech"


The speaker was an aged woman,
stately in form and erect in figure Time
had touched the sweet old face with low
ins care, leaving only grandcr beauty,
which we sometimes-nay, often-see in
the aged. There were tears in her eyes,
and sorrowful surprise in her tones as
she spoke to the tall handsome man
towering above her, whose features bore
a striking resemblance to her own.


"Never! Mother, l have said inst
what l mean, and my wife can rely upon
my words, be they ever so harsh
have born with her ungovernable temper
as long as l can, and now that she pleas
es to indulge in that ladylike passion in
coming insults for my especial pcnefit,
will not bear with her any longer


His voice was low, yet stern, in its
earnestness. The mothers tones were
| VI NlIil ull iGdI, us Sub
replied -


edward, are you always bameess
for the so called insults that Nellie gives
you? Why will you answer her, and
urge her on, till she says such mad
words 7"


| Mother she is a woman, not child,
and such as must te held accountable for
all she says and does"


You are both more like children than
your years warrant" said the mother
a mean to be man henceforth next
Thursday l leave home, and the new life
| shall lead, if not happy one, will at
least be free from the rawlings of mad.
woman =


80 Edward, Edward If yon only
knew Listen


But he had gone: the words died away
in empty space es the door closed after
the retreating form Of the angry man.
For some time the mother sat with bow.
ed head and sorrowing look that told
how keenly she felt the woes and troubles
of her dear ones.


Mother, dear mother!' and two low
ing arms wound tenderly around the old
lady's neck, and young head was pill
lowed on her breast while these fearful
words were uttered. Mother, forgive
mel did not mean to anger Edward
so deeply and grieve your dear heart so
sorely.'


40 Nellie! you have spoken words
this day, in blind passion, to yonr hus
band which man may not easily for
giy.e;", ,rrr oro roo ~ ravord w;,,
forgive me again"


"Nellie, how often have warned you
against the final results of such scenes
of bitter recrimination, each one lessen
ing your hold on your husbands love
l fear the disgraceful words of this morn
ing will cause you more trouble than you
imagine


"Oh mother, Edward will not do
what he threatens p a slight pallor over.
spreading her face. "He could not go
away from me to stay always" contin-
ued the young wife.


Whatever he may do remains to be
seen; but he is fully determined to go
just now," was the reply as the old lady
sighed heavily.


Il will do better l will control this
dreadful temper of mine"


:" Sod grant you strength to do so, my
child and if it is too late to make your
husband happy by the change-for he
looked a desperate man when ho went
out--you have another cause to curb
that spirit. The secret you gave me to
keep for you was about to impart to
him, but he left too suddenly. That
might influence him when nothing else
would. Indeed | hope it will heal the
deep wounds your cruel words have in
aicted"


Mother, will tell him just as soon
as he returns, and l will beg SO hard to
be forgiven that know he cannot refuse
for very joy of what tell him. 1t was
cruel not to tell him sooner" and a happy
light leaped to her eyes, while bright
blush to her check,


Long and earnestly did the two women
talk ; many and grand were the resolutions
taken by Nellie, advised and cheered by
her mother, till their hearts grew lighter,
and they waited with what patience they
possessed tor the absent husband and
son.





When Edward Thorne closed the door
of his home and walked forth into the
street bitter thoughts ragged in his breast
which hours of battling only increased
in fury; he was thoroughly aroused, ana
nothing light or trivial might again APP
pease the wrath bis wee wife at home had
ct;rnl mn ouoirat harsa1f


"Why should wait until tomorrow"
he muttered at length, "when can 60
to day2 l will arrange business matters,
leave her comfortable, and my whole duty
is done to her. fear to stand my moth
cr's pleadings If she should persuade
me against my better judgement to stay
and try Nellie longer, should despise
myself Five years have endured, and
she only grows worse. For the first
years my mother told me it was my duty
to bear with her ; that being childless was
a great trial to her; and did bear with
her and was very tender with her, although
verify believe my heart ached with
keener pang than did hers from the same
cause. In fact, | have horne every spe-
cies of temper from her until she has
long since ceased to think it worth an
effort to control herself at all. !
am completely disguised, and | so to-
day"