Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-08-24

wlfe Is too lady.like tor indelicacy," he am
swered sternly.
Offended, Philip? and with mes she
said turning her lustrous eyes pleadingly
toward him. " Pardon me, did but Jest"
She laid her pnglovcd hand upon his
arm. But the arts which had charmed and
dazzled the young husband had lost their
power, and he only answered politely her
expressions Of regret Bertha met his gaze
of surprise, smiling, but soon seemed alb
sorbcd in the music, and the remarks of her
companion, whose interest in her comfort
was sufficiently apparent. He seemed well
known among the audience, too for the
watchful Philip noticed many bows and
smiles Of recognition.
"There is Mr.. Golding, who knows ev-
erybody; l will ask him the name of your
wite's attendant" said Mrs. Mortimer, who
had remarked with surprise the discompos-
ure of Graham, whom, as she told her
daughter afterwards, she had supposed too
much man of the world to care for his
wife.
Mr.. Golding, pray tell me the name of
the gentleman opposite-the one with
magnificent beard and dark eyes"
"Who! Why, declare it is my old
friend Leonard Percy. Must have arrived
to-day. He has been four years absent. ]
must go round and see him. ! see he has
found Mrs. Graham already. / congratu-
late you, sir" he continued, turning to
Philip.
Congratulate me for what muttered
Philip, in surprise; dim idea entering his
brain that Helen was right in her conjec-
ture, and that Mr.. Golding meant to insult
him.
The opera was oyer at last, and, resisting
for the first time Helens alluring glances,
and Mrs. Mortimer's earnest invitation to
come in and spend an hour at cards, Philip
| hastened homeward in time to see car
riage drive rapidly away from the door,
Bertha was already unbinding her tresses
when he entered her chamber; and in an
swer to his questions she only answered
| carelessly,
Yes, had an opportunity, and thought
4 would improve it. You know it looks SO
stupid for married people to be always to-
gether in public. Leonard is an old friend
of mine, and am glad he has returned |;
| shall enjoy his society very much"
She was only repeating words which
Philip had used many time when praising
the beauty and grace OF some new acquaint-
ance but they did not seem very satisfac-
tory now. for he only muttered humph !"
| in discontented way, and was silent.
| Bertha saw the success of her scheme,
and laughed mischievously as she lay down
10 slumber, and dream, perchance, Of the
sleigh-ride she was to enjoy with her friend
on the morrow. PhiEf had engaged to
ride, too, with Mrs. and Miss Mortimer /;
and SO it Glanced that the two parties met
on the crowded thoroughfare, and he had
just time to catch laughing glance and
the wave of little gloved hand from his
wife as the seighs dashed past each other.
He spent that evening at hotne, but not
alone with his wife; Percy was there, and
Bertha chatted with him and played for
him, and they rang together songs replete
with love and sentiment-songs which be
reminded her they ha d sung often together
in " olden time" At last, angry with him
self, his wife, and his guest, Philip left the
room, excusing himself on the plea of bus
mess, bit adding, that" two spch old friends
must have so much to say to each other,
that third person would be almost an in
truder." Mr.. Percy looked surprised, but
Bertha answered smilingly,
"Oh, yes, Leonard and have plenty OF
subjects for conversation"
Leonard, indeed !" growled Philip, on
bis way to the library. "Confouha the
fellow-what does he mean with his old
songs
He remained alone till the visitor de-
parted, and could hardly believe his eyes
when he saw through the half open door
Percy imprint kiss upon the brow OF his
wife, which she received as quite matter
of course.
"Pray, do all your friends take their de-
parture in that loving manner?" he asked
as she entered the library.
"Oh, no but Leonard is privileged
character, and besides, am endeayoring
to bring my old-fashioned notions of propri-
ETY. TO a more modern standard. ] hope tc
become accustomed to these improvements
in time, and to take them as easily and
gracefully as some of your favofite ladies
do--Miss Mortimer for instance. | have
noticed that you rarely meet or part with
her without some such harmless liberties"
1t was true that in the first days Of hi'
fascination for the bold beauty he had otter
praised her gay manners TO his wife, but il
was strange how differently these things
looked from different point of view.
" But Miss Mortimer is unmarried; and
besides, it was all joke, our meeting and
parting in that way" he answered.
"Very well, Percy is unmarried, and we
will call our parting joke, if you please
was the reply.
"As you viii, but I don't admire such
Jokes assure YOU"
What! jealous, Philip? and have
been in Percy's company only three times
Let's see-once at the opera, once sleigh.
riding, and this evening"
" No, am not jeulous, but don't see
what has come over you. Don't you know
that you will ruin your reputation if you
20 on in this way? With men it is differ
ent; they are not expected to be so exclu-
sive in their attachments Society has
claims upon gentlemen which they must
fulfill"
aTrue, doubtless and these same claims
of society extend to the ladies, suppose,
and ge ought of course to emulate the gen.
erous, self-sacrifcing examples Of the
sterner sex"
"Philip could only think that, however
willing he might be to sacrifice himself up
- r. r .oo;aty he AID r.cs ,xiSh his