South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1867-04-19


most startled vividncss, came before the mind the
contrast, her loving, cheerful husband of three
years before, and her quiet, silent, sober-faoed
husband Of to-day.
Something's going wrong with him - she
said aloud, rs the feeling grew stronger. "What
can ii bc p
The letter was in her hand.
This may give me light" And with careful
fingers she opened the envelope, not breaking the
paper, that she could seal IL again IL she desir-
cd TO do SO. There was n bill for sixty dollars,
aud communication from the person sending it.
lie was n jeweler
eff this is not settled at once" no wrote al
shall put the account in suit. 1t has been stand
ing over n year, and am tired OF getting excuses
instead OF money -
The bill wa. for ladys watch Mrs. Whitman
mad almost compelled her husband to purchase.
Not paid for Is il possiblc2' exclaimed the
little woman, in blank establishment, while the
blood mounted 20 her forehead
Then she sa; down 70 think. Light began go
come into her mind. As sine sat thus thinking
n second letter for her husband came in from che
penny-postman. She opened il Standardization.
Another bill and another dunning letter.
mot paid Is IL possible p she repeated IL
bill of twenty-five dollars FOR CATERS slim
pers, which had been standing for three months.
'This will never do, said the awakened wife
never, no, never, and she thrust the two let
tiers INTO her pocket in n resolute way. From that
hour until the return of her husband at dinner
llinc, MIs. W nlunan ala an unusual amount OF
thinking for her brain. She saw the moment he
entered that the morning cloud had not passed
from his brow
''lIcre is the money for thatnew dress, he said,
taking a small roll of bills from his vest pocket
and handing them 10 Ada as he come in. lie did
not kiss her. nor smile in the old way, but his
voice calm, if not cheerful. A kiss and a
smile just then would have been more precious TO
the young wife than hundred silk dresses. She
took the money, saying
"Thank you, dear 1t is kind ofyou to regard
my wishes
Something in Adas voice caused Mr. Whitman
10 lift his ewes with look Of inquiry, To her
face. But she turned aside, so that he could not
read It's expression. lie was graver and more ST
lent than usual and ate with scarcely any appear
anCe of appetite.
Come home early dear" said Mrs. Whitman,
ne she walked to the door with her husband after
dinner.
care you impatient to have me admire your
new silk dress? ereplied with an effort To smile.
ayes, il will he something splendid she an
swered
lie turned or from her quickly, and left the
house. 4 few moments she stood with thought
full face, her mind indrawn, and her whole man
ncr completely changed. Then she went 10 her
room and commenced dressing TO go out
Two hours later find her in a jewelry store
on Broadway.
''Cun say word TO you ?" she addressed the
owner of the store, who knew her very well.
! Certainly, he replied, and they moved 10 the
! lower end Of the long show cases.
| Mrs Whitman drew from her pocket n lady =
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.
/ az cannot afford to wear this watch my hus-
| bands circumstances arc too limited. tell YOU
so frankly. II should never have been purchased,
| but too indulgcnt husband yielded 10 the i'm
portunites Of foolish wife. Now, sir, meet the
case fyou can do 50 in fairness 20 yourself Take
back the watch and say how much / shall pay
you besides"
The jeweler dropped his eyes to think. lie
stood for nearly minute, then taking the bill
| and watch said
| "Wait moment" and went 10 desk near by.
! "Will that dor he had come forward again
and now presented her with the receipicd BILL
! His face wore pleased expression
How much shall pay you" asked Mrs
| Whitman, drawing out her pockct-book.
Nothing. The watch is not dcfaced.'
"iou have done a kind act sir, said Mrs.
! Whitman, with feeling of trembling in her voice.
! ~ hope you will not think unfayorably Of my
/ husband. It's no fault OF his that the bill has
\ not been paid Good morning sir Mrs. Whit
I man drew her veil over her face. aud went with
( q light heart from the store. The pleasure she
/ had experienced on receiving her watch was not
/ 10 be compared with that now felt in parting with
/ il. From the icweler' she went 10 the boot ma
| ker sand paid the hin 81 twenty-five dollars
\ from thence to her mlliner and settled for hci
\ last bonnet
| ~ know You are dying TO see my new dress,
said Mrs. Whitman, gaily, as she drew her ARR
\ within that Of her husband, on his appearance
\ that evening. Come over t0 our bedroom and
\ let me show &C. Come along Don hang back,
/ Charles. as II you are afraid.
| Charles hitman went with his wife pagsivfly
/ looking more like q man on his way 90 rccc.v,
sentence, than ia expectation Of a pleasant sight
his thoughts were bitter.
/ 'Shall my Ada, become lost 70 me he said IN
I bis beart-''lOst 90 me in a world Of folly fash
\ Tor and extravaganza y'
! "Sit down Charles she said, as She icd fiu
\ 90 n large cushioned chair. Her manner had an
\ dergOne change. Tie hfiVhtness n her cOun-
/ tenance bad dcpni.el. 80. -,.s ..ae.".ul 900 q
hurried way, fror "-tH0r a"H '.I.n.r" u" q
I fGOtst0oi placed b.
Cd tendefly aud u ....
handed him the icwcie, .l.t
| ,It is reoeipted you ZEE. Tier voice ha,iered
a little.
ada how &. 'his2 what does II mean 90
! 'Ie flushed and grew grr.
/ 81 returned I've watch, and Mr z. receipted
I the bill. I would have paid for damage but hc
said IL was uninjured, and asked nothing.
go, ada q"
"And this IL receip'ed also and this. and
handing the other bills which she had paid
"And now dear, she added quickly, how do
you Ike my dress Isn't 10 boauufuiF'
We leave The explanation and scene that follow
Cd % the readers imagination. lfany fair lady
however like Ada has been drawing 100 heavily
on her slender income for silks and Jewels BE- ~ a
loss 90 realize the scene let her try Adas expert
mcnt Our word for ~, che viii find new and
happy experience IN life Costly silks and Jew
els may be very pleasant things, but they are too
dear, when they come AZ the price Of a husband g
embarrassment, mental disquictude Or alienation.
Too often the gay young wife wears them az the
sign Of the unhappy conditions Tranquil hearts
and sunny homes arc precious things too pTeCi-