Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-03-06


turbanco Of her usual inward sell~sotisfac-
tion.
If the thought of Mrs. Whitman rccur-
red, as was natural, to the elegant silk
dress OF which she was to become the
owner on that day, she did not feel the
proud satisfaction her vain heart expert
enced a little while before. Something
of is beauty had faded.
If I only knew what the letter cons
tained' she said half an hour after il had
come in, her mind still feeling the pres
ure which had come down upon it so
strangely as it seems to be.
She went to the mantel-pioce, took up
the letter, and examined the superscrip-
ton. 1t gave her no light. Steadily il
crept growing on9 her that its contents
were of a nature to trouble her husband.
Hes been little mysterious OF late,
she said TO herself This idea affected her
very unpleasantly. He grows more silent
an d reserved she added, as though under
feverish excitement More withdrawn,
as it were and less interested in what goes
on around him. His GOODNESS chills me
at times and his irritation hurts me-
She drew a long sigh. Then with an
almost startling vividness came before her
mind in contrast, her tender, loving,
cheerful husband of three years before,
and her quiet, silent, sober faced husband
of to-day.
Something has gone wrong with him,
she said aloud.as the feeling grew stronger,
what can it bc?'
The letter was in her hand.
This may give me light And with
careful fingers she opened the envelope,
not breaking the paper, so that she could
seal it again, if she desired to do so. There
was Lill for sixty dollars, and commu.
nication from the person sending the bill.
He was jeTeler;
IF this is not settled at once he wrote,
shall put the account in suit. 1t has
been standing over year, and ! am tired
of getting excuses instead of r Oney.'
The bill was for lady's watch, which
Mrs. Whitman had almost compelled her
husl and to purchase.
! Not paid for! Is it possible? exclaim.
ed the little woman in blank astonish-
ment, while the blood mounted to her
forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light
began to come into her mind. As she sat
thus thinking, n second letter for her hns-
band came in from the penny poslnan
She opened it without hesitation. An
other bill and another dunning letter!
Not paid is i; possible?' She repeated
the ejaculation. 1t was a bill for twenty
fve dollars for CATERS and slippers which
had been standing for three or four
months.
This will never do said she, awaken
ing never never And she thrust the
two letters into hcr pocket in a resolu'e
way. From that hour until the return o
her husband at dinner time, Mrs. Whit
man did an unusual amount of thinking
for her little brain. She saw the moment
he entered that the morning clowd had
not passed from his brow.
Here's the money for that new dress,
he said, taking small roll OF bills from
his vest pocket, and handing them t.
, Ada as he came in. He did not kiss her
nor smile in the old bright way, Blu
, his voice was calm and cheerful. A kis
and smile would have been NOR,
precious just then to the young wife thai
a hundred silk dresses. She took tn
money, saying
THANK you, dear; it's kind Of you t.
regard my wishes
Something in Ada's voice and manne
, caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his eyes, witt
, look of inquiry, to her face. But sh
turned aside, so that she could not rea
its expression.
He was grayer and more silent tha
usual, and ate with scarcely an appearance
= cf appetite.
, Come home early, dear said Mr.:
, Whitman, as she walked to the door wit
. her husband, after dinner.
1 Are you impatient to have me admir-
[ your new silk dress p he replied with
I faint attempt to smile.
Yes. 1t will be something splendid
II she answered.
t He turned from her quickly and left th
II house. A few minutes she stood, with
e thoughtful face, her mind indrawn, he
Q, whole manner completely changed. The
5, she went TO her room and commence
dressing to go out.
g Two hours later and we find her in
g iewelry store on Broadway.
Can say word TO you p she addres