The Two Wives | Page 9

wife to this matter. But, she could not comprehend,
to its full extent, the point he urged. It then became necessary for Ellis
to hold the purse-strings more tightly than he had formerly done. This
fretted the mind of his wife, and often led her, in the warmth of the
moment of disappointment, to utter unkind expressions. These hurt
Ellis; and, sometimes, made him angry. The cloud upon Cara's brow,

consequent upon these occasional misunderstandings, was generally so
unpleasant to Ellis, whose heart was ever wooing the sunshine, let the
rays come through almost any medium, that he would spend his
evenings abroad. Temptation, as a natural consequence, was in his way.
His convivial character made him seek the company of those who do
not always walk the safest paths. How anxious should be the wife of
such a husband to keep him at home; how light the task would have
been for Cara. Alas! that she was so selfish, so self-willed--so blind!
The scene that occurred on the evening of Ellis's return home with the
book he wished to read for his wife, will give a fair view of Mrs. Ellis's
manner of reacting upon her husband; and his mode of treating her on
such occasions.
It has been seen in what state of feeling the husband returned home.
Remembrances of the past brought some natural misgivings to his mind.
His face, therefore, wore rather a more subdued expression than usual.
Still, he was in a tolerably cheerful frame of mind--in fact, he was
never moody. To his great relief, Cara met him with a smile, and
seemed to be in an unusually good humour. Their sweet babe was lying
asleep on her lap; and his other two children were playing about the
room. Instantly the sunshine fell warmly again on the heart of Ellis. He
kissed mother and children fervently, and with a deep sense of love.
"I called to see the bride this afternoon," said Mrs. Ellis, soon after her
husband came in.
"Ah, did you?" he answered. "At her new home?"
"Yes."
"She is well and happy, of course?"
"Oh, yes; happy as the day is long. How could she help being so in
such a little paradise?"
"Love makes every spot a paradise," said Ellis.
"Beg your pardon," replied the wife, with some change in her tone of

voice. "I'm no believer in that doctrine. I want something more than
love. External things are of account in the matter; and of very
considerable account."
"They have every thing very handsome, of course," said Ellis; who was
generally wise enough not to enter into a discussion with his wife on
subjects of this kind.
"Oh, perfect!" replied his wife, "perfect! I never saw a house furnished
with so much taste. I declare it has put me half out of conceit with
things at home. Oh, dear! how common every thing did look when I
returned."
"You must remember that our furniture has been in use for about six
years," said Ellis; "and, moreover, that it was less costly than your
friend's, in the beginning. Her husband and your's are in different
circumstances."
"I know all about that," was returned, with a toss of the head. "I know
that we are dreadfully poor, and can hardly get bread for our children."
"We are certainly not able to furnish as handsomely as Mr. and Mrs.
Beaumont. There is no denying that, Cara. Still, we are able to have
every real comfort of life; and therewith let us try to be content. To
desire what we cannot possess, will only make us unhappy."
"You needn't preach to me," retorted Mrs. Ellis, her face slightly
flushing. "When I want to hear a sermon, I'll go to church."
Mr. Ellis made no answer, but, lifting his babe from its mother's lap,
commenced tossing it in the air and singing a pleasant nursery ditty.
Caroline sat in a moody state of mind for some minutes, and then left
the room to give some directions about tea. On her return, Ellis said, in
as cheerful a voice as if no unpleasant incident had transpired,
"Oh! I had forgotten to say, Cara, that Mr. Hemming and his wife have
returned from Boston. They will be around to see us some evening this
week."

"Hum-m--well." This was the cold, moody response of Mrs. Ellis.
"Mr. Hemming says that his wife's health is much better than it was."
"Does he?" very coldly uttered.
"He seemed very cheerful."
Mrs. Ellis made no comment upon this remark of her husband, and the
latter said nothing more.
Tea was soon announced, and the husband and wife went, with their
two oldest children, to partake of their evening meal. A cloud still hung
over Caroline's features. Try as Ellis would to feel indifferent