The Two Wives | Page 4

too, in imagination, the plaintive cries
of his sick child, and the soothing melody of its mother's voice as she
sought to hush into sleep its unquiet spirit.
CHAPTER II.

WILKINSON was nearly in front of his own door, when he was thus
familiarly accosted by a man named Ellis, who came leisurely walking
along with a lighted cigar in his mouth.
"Hallo! is this you, Wilkinson? What in the name of wonder are you
doing out at such an hour?"
"And suppose I were to ask you the same question?" inquired
Wilkinson, as he took the hand of the other, who was an old
acquaintance.
"It would be easily answered," was the unhesitating reply of Ellis, who
had been drinking rather freely.
"Well, suppose I have the benefit of your answer."
"You're quite welcome. I keep no secrets from an old friend, you see.
Can't you guess?"
"I'm not good at guessing."
"Had a little tiff with Cara," said Ellis in a half whisper, as he bent to
the ear of his companion.
"Oh, no!" returned Wilkinson.
"Fact. Cara's a dear, good soul, as you know; but she's a self-willed
little jade, and if I don't do just as she wants me to--if I don't walk her

chalk line--_presto!_ she goes off like a rocket. To-night, d'ye see, I
came home with the first volume of Prescott's new work on Mexico--a
perfect romance of a book, and wanted to read it aloud to Cara. But no,
she had something else in her head, and told me, up and down, that she
didn't want to hear any of my dull old histories. I got mad, of course; I
always get mad when she comes athwart my hawes in this way.
"'Dull old histories!' said I, indignantly. 'There's more true life and real
interest in this book than in all the Wandering Jews or Laura Matilda
novels that ever were written; and I wish you'd throw such miserable
trash into the fire, and read books from which to get some intelligence
and strength of mind.' Whew! The way she combed my hair for me at
this was curious. I am a philosopher, and on these occasions generally
repeat to myself the wise saw--
'He that fights and runs away, May live to fight another day.'
So, deeming discretion the better part of valour, I retreated in disorder."
"That's bad," remarked Wilkinson, who knew something of the
character of his friend's wife.
"I know it's bad; but, then, I can't help myself. Cara has such a queer
temper, I never know how to take her."
"You ought to understand her peculiarities by this time, and bear with
them."
"Bear with them! I'd like to see you have the trial for a while; your wife
is an angel. Ah, John! you're a lucky dog. If I had such a
sweet-tempered woman in my house, I would think it a very paradise."
"Hush! hush! Harry; don't speak in that way. Few women possess so
many good qualities as Mrs. Ellis; and it is your duty to cherish and
love the good, and to bear with the rest."
"Well preached; but, as I am to apply the discourse, and not you, I must
beg to be excused."

"Good-night. Go home, kiss Cara, and forgive her," said Wilkinson;
and he made a motion to pass on, adding, as he did so, "I'm out much
later than usual, and am in a hurry to get back. Mary will be uneasy
about me."
But Ellis caught hold of one of his arms with both hands, and held on to
him.
"Can't let you go, Wilkinson" said he, firmly. You're the man of all
others I want to see--been thinking about you all the evening; want to
have a long talk with you."
"Any other time, but not now," replied Wilkinson.
"Now, and no other time," persisted the other, clinging fast to his arm.
"What do you wish to talk about?" said Wilkinson, ceasing his effort to
release himself from the firm grip of his friend.
"About Cara," was answered.
"Go home and make it up with her; that's the best way. She loves you,
and you love her; and your love will settle all differences. And besides,
Harry, you shouldn't talk about these things to other people. The
relation between man and wife is too sacred for this."
"Do you think I talk in this way to everybody? No, indeed!" responded
Ellis, in a half-offended tone of voice. "But you're a particular friend.
You know Cara's peculiar temper, and can advise with me as a friend.
So come along, I want to have a talk with you."
"Come where?"
Ellis turned and pointed to a brilliant gas lamp in the next square, that
stood in front of a much