Year: 1871

Will not remember the day. lie lett me
this morning without a kiss, as he always
does. lie will come back to dinner in the
same way, and after it is over he will go
out to to his club, or-or some other place,
and never come home till after l have
gone to bed. Yet have been good and
careful wife to him. have studied his
comfort in every way, and this is my re-
ward ~


She hid her face in her hands as she
spoke. Lucy Moore bent over her aud
whispered:


In every way save one, dear Mary"


Mrs. Strong looked up.


What do you mean 2"


Promise not to be angry and I will
tell you"


"Go on"


Your husband used to be very fond of
music. Do ycu ever play aud sing to him
of an evening now 2"


ooh, no. Wegave that up long enough
ago."


But why?"


" I'm sure cant tell. 1t was such q
bore to practice"


"Do you read aloud to him, or have
him read to you ?"


No. l used to; but somehow that is
given up too


Aud your dress shall you change it
before he comes home to dinner 2"


Mrs. Strong shook her head. She wore
a dingy flounced delanc, no collar or cuffs,
and her hair was rough aud untidy-her
whole look one of extreme carelessness.


He would not notice it if | did,
Where is the use, Lucy !? 1t is all too
late"


No, it is not too late. But it may be
soon, said Lucy, earnestly. MARY, some
one ought to tell you. No one dares to
but me. Your husband does not go to his
club Of an evening, he goes to Mrs. Wy
lies. You know her; you have heard her
name in society, The Queen Of Flirts'
Mary. she is dangerous woman. She
lives but for admiration, aud that she
means to have. Your husband gives her
admiration now take care that he gives
no more-his love-"


Mrs. Strong burst into tears.


"What can l do ?" she walled. al
know that woman too we'll. What chance
have against her ?"


"Give yourself chance" said Lucy,
with kiss. Let your husband find a
pleasant welcome from wife neatly dressed,
Mary. Forgive the hint. You have
beauty and grace. DO not neglect them
longer. Sing to him, Mary ; play to him; ;
charm and fasciuate him. You have done
it once. Try again, and save him from
the Queen of Flirts.'"
She stole softly from the room. It had
not been a pleasant lesson to receive; it
might not have been a pleasant one to give
who shall say? But Mrs. Strong was
a sensible as well as pretty woman, and
five minutes after Lucy Moore had gone,
she won't up to her own room, acknowledge
ing that her fricud had spoken but the
truth.


That evening, just after the street lamps
were lighted, Mr.. Strong came carelessly
towards his home. Carelessly? Yes,
that was the word. That house was fast
becoming to him only place to eat, sleep,
and dress in-a place for which he had to
pay rent and taxes, but in which he took
no comfort or pleasure, if the truth must
be told


"Never mind I'll go to Grace as soon
as dinner is over, aud she will make it up
to me" thought Mr.. Strong as he opened
the front door with his atch-key and strobe
across the hail.


Only halfway, however, for there be-
fore him, at the foot of the stairs, stood a
graceful, pretty woman, with satin smooth
brown hair, bright blue eyes, and cheeks
as red as roses, wearing q pretty evening
dress Of dark-blue silk, and shining orua.
ments upon her snowy neck and arms.


Welcome home, dear James," she said, i,
with heavenly smile. at is the second
anniversary Of our wedding. day. Won't
you spend this evening with me, dear ?"


His only answer was a close embrace
and sudden kiss. His eyes were dim as
he sped upstairs to his own room to pre-.
pare for dinner.


Brute that have BEEN" he thought
to himself


After dinner, on tho plea of smoking
one cigar, he stole out, and returned with
a pretty gold watch and chain as a present
for his wife.


They sang the old songs together that
evening; they talked long time over the
dying FIRE. Ah, it was not to late. He