The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-03-13

unusual vivdnesS. Sympathy stole into
her heart.
"Poor Charles r. she said, as the feeling
/ increased 81 am afraid something is going
very wrong with him."
| Placing the letter on the mantle piece, SO he
could see it when he came in, Mrs Whitman
entered upon some hou 'ehol1 duties, bat a
strange impression, as ifa weight lay upon
her heart--a vague troubled disturbance of
her usual inward self satisfaction.
II the thought Of Mrs. Whitman REQUIRED,
as was natural, to the elegant silk dress
which she was to be possessed Of on that
day, she did not find the proud satisfaction
her vain heart experienced a little while be-
fore. Something of its beauty had faded.
''Ir only knew what the letter contained, /,
she said, an hour after it came in, her mird
still feeling the pressure which had come
down upon it SO strangely, as it seemed to
her.
She went to the mantle piece, and took up
the letter, and examined the superscription
1t geve her no light. Steadily it kept grow
ing upon her that its contents were Of a
nature to trouble her husband
"He's been little mysterious Of late"
she said to herself This idea affected her
veiy unpleasantly. "IIs grows more silent
and reserved" she added, as though under
kind of feverish excitement, she became
active in new direction "Mors indrawn
as it were, and less interested in what goes
on around him. His coldness chills me at
times, and his irritation hurts me-"
She drew long, deep sigh. Their, with
an almost startling vividness, came before
her mind in contrast with her tender, loving
cheerful husband Of three years before, and
the quiet, silent, sober faced hu sband of
to-day.
Something has gone wrong with him."
she said aloud, as feeling grew stronger
"What can it be ?''
The letter was in her hand
"This may give me light" And, with
careful fingers she opened the envelope, with
out breaking the paper, so that she could
seal it again if she desired to do so. There
was a communication from the person
sending the bill. He was jeweler.
eff this is not settled at once he wrote,
Il shall put the account in suit It has been
standing for over year, and am tired of
getting excuses instead Of money"
The bill was for lady's watch, which
Mrs. Whitman had almost compelled her
husband to purchase.
"Not paid for Is it possible ?" exclaimed
the little woman in blank astonishment, the
blood mounting to her forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light began
to come into her mind. AS she sat thus
thinking, second letter came for her hus:
band from the penny postman. She opened
it without hesitation. Another bill, and
another dunning letter.
"Not paid Is it possible ?" she repeat
ed the ejaculation. 1t was a bill for twenty
five dollars for CATERS and slippers, which
had been standing three or four martNe.
"This will never do y said the awa,,ca;ng 2
wife-'never-no, never = And she thrust
the two letters into her pocket in resolute
way. From that hour until the return of
her husband at dinner time, Mrs Whitman
did an unusual amount Of thinking for her
| little brain. She saw the moment he entered
that the morning cloud had not passed from
his brow
| "Here is the money for the new dress"
he said, taking small roll of bills from his
vest pocket, and handing them to Ada, as
he came in. He did not kiss her. nor smile
just then, which would have been more
precious to the young wife than hundred
silk dresses. She took the money, saying
"Thank you dear 1t is kind of YOU to
to regard my wishes
Something in Ada's voice and manner,
caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his eyes, with a
| look of inquiry, to her face. But she turned
aside, so that he could not read its express
| sion.
He was graver and more silent than usual,
and eat W tn scarcely an appearance ofappe-
| tite.
"Come homo early, dear" sad Mrs.
Whitman as she walked to the door with her
husband, after dinner.
"Are You impatient to haG me admire
your new silk dress ?'' he replied, with a
| faint effort to smile
"Yes, it win be something Splendid she
answered.
He turned off from her quickly, and left
the house. A few moments she stood, with
thoughtful face, her mind indrawn and her
whole manner completely changed. Then
she went to her room and commenced dress
ing to go out.
"Can say word to you p She address.
ed the owner of the store, who knew her
very well.
Certainly" he replied, and they removed
to the lower end of one of the long show
cases.
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pocket .
lady's watch and chain, and laying them
on the show case, said at the same time
holding out the bill she had taken from the
envelope, addressed to her husband
/ III cannot afford 10 wear this watch; my
husbands circumstances are too limited.
tell you so frankly 1t should never hav,
/ Ino - IL 4