Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-08-06

which had come down upon 1t SO strangely
as it seemed to her.
She went to the mantle-piece, took up
the letter, and examined the supcrscriptlon.
It gave her no light. Steadily it kept grow
ing upon her that its contents were OF ma
ture to trouble her husband.
.He's been a little mysterious of late, y
she said to herself. This idea affected her
very unpleasantly ''He grows more silent
and reserved" she added, as thought, under
la kind of feyerish excitement, became active
in new direction. .'More indrawn, as it
we're, and less interested in what goes on
around him. His GOODNESS chills me at
times, and his irritation hurts me"
She drew long, deep sigh Then, with
an almost startling viyidness, came before
her mind, in contrast. her tender, loving,
cheerful husband of three years before, and
her quiet, sober faced husband of to-day
| Something has gone wrong with him, =
shc'.aid aloud, as feeling grew stronger.
/ What can it be p
/ The letter was in her hand.
4 "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 so to do. There was a
bill for sixty dollars, and a communication
from the person sending the bill He was a
jeweler.
J eff this is not settled at once" he wrote.
II shall put the account in suit. 1t has
been standing for over year, and | am
tired of getting excuses instead of my mon
ey."
The bill was for lsdy's watch, which
Mrs. Whitman had almost compelled her
husband to purchase.
Mot paid for Is it possible p exclaim-
cd the little woman, in blank establishment,
while the blood mounted to her forehead.
Then she sat down to think Light be-
gan to come into her mind. As she sat
thus thinking, second letter came in for
her husband from the penny -postman. She
opened it without hesitation. Another bill
and another dunning letter.
''Not paid Is it possible ?" She repeated
the ejaculation. 1t was bill of twenty five
dollars for CATERS and slippers, which had
been standing for three or four months.
This will never do p said the awakening
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 enter
ed, that the morning cloud had not passed
from his brow.
Here is the money for that new Dress"
he said, taking small roll Of bills from his
vest pocket, and handing them to Ada, as
be came in. He. did not kiss her, nor smile
in the old bright way. But his voice was
calm, if not cheerful. A kiss and smile
would have been more precious to the young
wife than hundred silk dresses She took
the money, saying:
''Thank you dear It is kind of you to
regard my wishes"
Something in Ada's voice and manner
caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his eyes, with
look of inquiry. to her face. But she turn
ed aside, so that he could not read its cx-
He was graver and more silen! than usu-
al, and ate with scarcely an appearance Of
appetite.
Come home early, DEAR" said Mrs
Whitman, as she walked to the door with
| her husband, after dinner. af4
care you impatient to have ME admire
your new silk dress?' he replied, with
faint effort to smile
eyes. twill be something splendid"
she answered
He turned off from her quickly, and left
the house. A few moments she stood, with
a thoughtful face, her mind indrawn, and
her whole manner completely changed. -
Then she went to her room and commenced
dressing to 60 out.
Two hours later, aud we find her in a
jewelry store on Broadway
/ 3 "Can say word to you I" She address
ed herself to the owner Of the store, who
knew her very we'll.
Certainly" he replied, and they moved
to the lower end Of the long showcases.
/ Mrs. Whitman drew from her pocket a
lady's watch and chain, and laying them on
the showcase, said at the same time hold
ing out the bill she had taken from the en-
velope addressed to her husband: ~.
Il cannot afford to wear this watch; my
husbands circumstances are too limited. l
tell you SO frankly. 1t should never have
been purchased T; but a too indulgent husband
yielded to the opportunities Of foolish
4 young wife. say this to take blame from
him. Now, sir, meet the case, if you can
do SO in fairness to yourself. Take back
the watch, and say how much I shall pay
you besides" st
The jeweller dropped his eyes to think.
The case took him a little by surprise. He
stood for nearly minute; then taking the
bill and watch, he said-''Wait moment, +"
and went to the desk near by.
"Will that do p He had come forward
again, and now presented her with the re-
ceipted bill. His face wore pleased ex-
preston.
.'How much shall I pay you? asked
Mrs. Whitman, drawing out her pocket
book
Nothing The watch is not defaced. y
''You have done kind act, SIR" said
Mrs. Whitman. with feeling trembling
along her voice. Il hope you will not
think unfsvorably Of my husband It's no
fault of his that the bill has not been paid.
Good morning, sir"
Mrs. Whitman drew her veil over her
face, and went, with light steps and light
heart, from the store. The pleasure she
had experienced on receiving her watch was
not to be compared with that now felt in
parting with it From the jewelers. she
went to the boot-makcr's and paid the bill of
twenty-five dollars; from thence to her mil
liners and settled for her last bonnet,
Il know you're dying to see my new
dress" said Mrs Whitman, gaily, as she
drew her arm within that Of her husband,
on his appearance that evening. "Come
over to our bedroom. and let me show it.