The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-11-04
THE HUSBAND OUTWITTED.
A GAmE.FoR TWO ToPLAY.

A week at the watering place, and most Of
the time each day spent in the company OF
Mr.. MAXWELL the gentleman whom Miss Els
worth's old friend had introduced to her one
morning on the piazza. She had sailed with
him along the shore on the moonlight even
ings, and she had danced with him in the
thronged drawing-rooms.
Miss Ellsworth was not firt, who dis
tributed her ideals among many gentlemen,
as she had her ideal we'll nigh realized in Mr.
MAXWELL. Only the evening before, their
talk had Withdrawn itself from the. general
topic to which each had been congenial, and
in her admiration of his intelligence and
manl;ness, she had encouraged an approach to
that personal sort of conversation which re.
lates to love and matrimoDy. !. ,...ss.
And now to find Mr., MAXWELL this morn
| ing with his coat off and a smiths apron on
engaged in mending a lock! He was doing
it publicly The lock was on the door that
led to the middle of the front piazza where
the fashionable ladies end gentlemen were
sitting or promenadings ID. ia boos .-.l3t ,.
His back was towards her as she approach
| ed. leaning on the: arm of her = friend Anna
West. She recognized him, looked intently
at him, gave her companion over to a party
of young ladies near, and then stopped and
spoke to him. .ostlaa vi, - :.
EDO YOU like that sort of work, Mr.. Main
we'll ?" she asked ..t-. .u
81 do, Miss Ellsworth. ! believe | am !
natural mechanic" s,rsss MI. WI. n. -.
at appears very odd to see you doing this !!
cit is my trade, he replied; rising from his
work and turning to her: = --.....r :. :,
Her cheek blanched little. "Your trade y
she said family.
eyes. trade, Miss Ellsworth. The propri.
etor said the lock needed mending, ana
told him that could mend it for him.
The party of girls came along just then
After wondering at Mr.. MAXWELL awhile, and
laughing at him, they all proposed ride.
There were three carriages for them ALL
These would take the party. r
/ Ned Whitaker here Joined them.
"What the deuce are you about here r. he
exclaimed to Mr.. MAXWELL. "Ah, he added
when the latter turned and glanced at him
but while you are here you might as well en-
JOY yourself" :.
Mr.. MAXWELL excused himself from join.
ing the party, and they went away, leaving
him to finish his work. tet3
Miss Ellsworth left.him without any word
at parting. II ~. =, 49,, :,
ut is WE'LL" he muttcred to himself. III
she cannot take me as am, she is not worthy
of me. The woman that marries me must
take me for myself
He stood and looked after her until she
had disappeared. She did not once turn te
look back. as9iA a'aa ~ : --'7' 9.
He gave his shoulders shrug, compressed
his lips, uttered a cynical "humphp and turn
ed to finish his work. VII ......r.
aLet it be So he muttered, when he was
through and was putting on his coat. g
thought perhaps that had found a woman
after nv own heart. Amid this world o
wealth and fashion, she too has lost her soul
Let her CO. t....,.sr
He avoided her hereafter. He did no
seek to catch her eye for bow of recogni
ton. When she entered a drawing room
where he was, he would 60 out by anothe
way. But he was more than ever III thu