Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-08-29
MISCELL ANY.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

81 say, Philip, have you seen my port
mounaie 2"
MIR. Walters brow contracted slightly at
the words, and he drew away the hand
which had been cares ing his wife's pretty
hair.
"Is that portmonnaie lost again ?"
Now, Philip" said the little woman,
with world of pretty penitence in the
heightened woid, "don't scoId. Upon my
wcrd, i,'s the first time I've mislaJ i, this
whole morning"
at is too provoking, Cora,' said the
iron-hearied husband, pushing back the
books on the table before him with move-
ment denoiing intense irritation. 4" Will you
sssSs .k~~ss yourself of this careless habit,
any love!"
Cora was silent, looking down Ike a
naughty child who had been chidden.
You don't know what an annoyance
these careless habits are TO methodical
man like myself. dear" he added in a gen.
tier tone, = Do try to be more thought
ful, FOR my sake. Here is your lost treas
ure," he added, quietly drawing a tiny case
of pearl and gold from his pocket. q
found II lying on the stairs and thought ii a
most excellen, opportunity for giving my
areless little wife a lesson"
Cora clapped her little hands at the sight
the room in girlish giee.
"a perfect child, murmured the husband
looking after her with smile and sigh
blending unconsciously into one anoher
4" Well, if don't make haste shall be too
late TO meet that engagement on Cedar
street. Let me see, the notes are in my
secre,arie, believe. Nothing ike LOT kins
up things and keeping the keys yourself
If Cora only followed my example I"
4 Mr.. Walter paused abruptly. seeking il
his various pockets, with nervcusSaaste, fol-
something which. seemed not to be forth
coming.
"Very strange" muttered he, biting hi
lip. I" always put it in tha, vest pocket
Possibly / may have laid it on the tabl'
among those papers
The aforesaid papers rustled hiiher ant
ihi,her like animated snow fakes as Mr.
Walter hurriedly sought among their con
fused masses, but il was all in vain.
81 can't have lost it" he exclaimed, il
dire perplexity. And every one of thos
notes is locked up in the secretaria, with n
earthly chance of ever getting at it Blu
am certain the key can't be lost-I neve
lose anythingl 1t won't do to wait man
more minues-Pil just put on clean shir
aud run down town. Hang that key
Mr.. Walter hastened to his room TO com
pleie the details of his toilet, ere he left tn
house, but his trials were not yet destine
TO terminate. He was a methodical mar
therefore his bureau was carefully locked
he always kept things in one place, there
fore the KEYS were snuely reposing in on
corner of the Inaccessible secretarie.
He rushed frantically back TO the library
hoping family that the key might be on th
mantle piece. where he had not yet searche,
Not is not there. but treacherons int
stand ,cas, the contents whereof, by one III
lucky sweep Of the elbow, descended in a
ebon cataract over his shirt bosom --tt
shirt bosom upon which alone he had d.
pended.
well. here is catastrophe !" he mu
INJURED, gloomily, stanching he inky fly wit
his pocket handkerchief. However, | ca
button my coat over for the present. L.
me see--there is that money | promise
to pay Smithson to-day, and"
!. He stopped short, cold dew of disria
breaking out on his forehead-the none,
5, drawer was fixture of the wretched Sc
d retarie
e Penniless, shirtless and paperless, VIII
6 more desperate state of affairs could b
worst enemy desire for him? There W;
g lower deep yet, however-would he n
g be characterless likewise il his wife shou
b by any opportune chance discover that h
q the model and rule of order, had lost h
: keyr So thought Mr.. Walter as he strot
= off down town to day of perplexi'ies al
u notifications.
, If ever tease Cora again about losir
s. things" he muttered inwardly, as he ente
n ed the tea room on returning home. q
hope to be drowned with hundred weie
y of keys about my neckl Its judgme
upon me y
o He unbuttoned his coat as he spoke, fo
6. getful Of the ink-siamps of the morriir
II Cora uttered faint scream, and shral
! back esclaiming -
y any dear Philip, what is the matter wi
ot your shirt bosom tonight 2"
aThe mauerl Ohp' said he colorir
and laughing, +" remember now--l split
little Ink over it this morning. 1t doI
signify much."
" DO let me get you another, dear !"
aNo, no." said he, eagerly OBTAINING he
"it isn't at all worth while. Do sit dov
and be easy, my love J"
But Cora started to carry her babe up
the nursery. Just as she reached the do
is something jingled softly In the pocket of h
e. little silk apron-she stopped in the passaI
way.
"Oh, by the way. Philip, here is the k
to your seeretarie. found II on the dini
{ room table this afternoon, and,' she adde
with an arch sparkle of the eye, thong
it would be an excellent opportunity for gi
ing my husband lesson"
She laid the key in his hand, and ran o
Of the room, as he recoiled involuntari
from the sound Of his own pedantic wore
As he contemplated the cleaning words
the little steel mischief maker, in minsl
delight and modification, the echo of Cor
!, merry laughter on the stairs reached
ears like chime Of silver bells.
He laughed too-he couldn't help it J
m Mrs. Cora Walter was discreet lii
female. She never alluded TO the subit
Of the keys again, and her husband VI
q A.