The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1869-11-10
familp iaeaoinss ano Mems 3ttms.
THAT MYSTERY.

familp Reaoines ano Mems jte'ns.
THAT MYSTERY. 81
l BY FRANCIS LOUISA BADEN
| From thesNcw York Ledger
''One not easily jealous. but being wrought
| Perplexed in the extremc Shakespeare.
As happy and loving little wife as ever
blessed the heart and home Of man was Ruth
! Spencer. A gentle, brown-cyed little dove,
who believed all the world as good and as
kind a. herself. !
She had been married i've years, and during
that time hardly shadow OF care or trouble
had entered her little home, except what had
been brought by her husbands old aunt Pru-
dence, maiden lady, very poor and terribly
| proud, who lived with them.
| One little cherub of a boy was the crown
ing blessing of her life. She would often say
she was the shappiest woman in the world,
with the best husband and sweetest baby.
| In the next house lived very pretty girl
to whom Aunt Prudence took a manifest dis
like; and indeed she was the cause of many q
heartache. to our little Ruth.
| s,RnmOr said Lilly Hanson was engaged to q
man old enough to be her grandfathcr-an ar
rangcment Of the old folks. Lilly did not
love any one particularly, and as the old
Colonel was immensely wealthy, she did not
object to their arrangement. = -
great intimacy sprung up between tins
young girl and Ruth, and when the latters
brother, a Lieutenant Seaton, came to make
his sister q visit on his return from the sea,
scarcely day passed without some party Of
pleasure, or Sightseeing expedition, found
them together. g.
It was soon very evident that Lillys bright
HI I.,J ;,uv~ ho
In confidential talk with his sister, he
told her as much, but concluded by saying:
"But it is hopeless case. She is truly be-
trothed to that Odd Colonel It is too had !
heis old enough to be her grandfather; but
he is a noble old chap, and cannot help Tx
ing Mna.,, him. l., 40. ,.,.,.. ,o, .,;,,, -, g
she loved some one else better :" suggested
his sister. 49, $50
'No, Il think not. 1t seems her father is
under some very great obligation to HIM, and
am by no means sure that she does love any
one better than her old Colonel"
50 the visit was concluded, and young Sea-
hone that Lilly looked ON him with any reer-
ing other than simply friendship.
But to Ruth's amazcment, very soon her
husband began to grow very fond Of Lilly 8
company. If they were going to any place
of amusement, he would be almost sure to
aYou had better ask Lilly to 60. Her old
lover does not take her out much, and she
will not 20 with young gentlemen"
Aunt Prudence did not hesitate to express
herself very freely. On one occasion she
said: -es1-aI
aIndeed, Ruth, child, do not know what
you are thinking about, not to see that girl is
irving her best to bewitch your husband. Its
plain as day to them as are not blind, or don't
| want to see, And think she 10 - artful o
piece as ever came across, having the iDpu-
dence to tell you how good your husband v,
and what splendid fellOw-humph, ~ ID
you didn't know it. "a lst them know my
ewes were opsn. I'd not be treated So" a
"Why, Aunty treated howl George y de-
voted to me, And Just as attentive = he eyea
was. George is sorry for her, and she makes
20 much of him, indeed of both of US, that ol
| course he cannot help being kind - her
4 Nothing else; but do think he Is little toe
fond sf hef," murmnrod Rath. g -e
"Is Mr.. Spencer I'M Sister wants TO set
him, and says please will he stop at on. dOol
| a moment before he goes TO his stoEe,n ex
claimed little Willie Hanson running int6
Ruth's Sitting room.
"This put q stop to Aunt Prudence's lectut'
for that time. Indeed, Ruth was very g3a(
to have q stop put to it. She had becosne
sore ON the subject. Poor ittle thing, ehs
Il tsied hard not to see or think any thing wrong
but her pretty face had decidedly carewerl
look.
/ "A few days after this conversation, LII,
1 herself came bounding into the room an
said:
"Mrs. Spencer, isn't it most time your hns
baad was hOmef / want to see him so much
/ watched for him this morning, he must hsv'
i passed before-I was at the window" am
then as Il her speech needed an apology, sh
said:
pronlsed to call at the Office"
There was q step in the hall, and away sh
flew to meet him, md had low talk for
few moments before George came into Tn
roam. and thsa passed ouf, but not befer
Ruth heard her cay, 'Thank you, Pll have j
Iroaly and watch for you."
Very quiet was tho pooe Grisvea Ate!s Eite
y All that George could Do - b llsasaAt
did not make the dinner other than'A vce.
dismal npsal; and, when tali1x his leavc, =
went q usual to kiss her, she did net retptl
it. but ran up stairs to hi1s.hef tears ffoz
Aunt Prudence.
| That evening, when her husband saai,
home, she did not try 70 wesR . Aeppy ~
: she was miserable, and was not going to tr
to hide il any longer.
"Ruth. dazzling. what is the matter Wha
ails youf Pve never in five years of our max
| ried life, seen your sweet face wear ffOw,
Ior any expression but love and happiness
. until within the last few days. Tell You
J husband what troubles you" 10 said, takin
| her in his arms.
She burst into tears, and told him all; an
8 what Aunt Prudence Thought and said.
Little wife, do not let your pure heart
+ troubled by what Aunt Prudence says, an
above al do not see your friends' action
with her eyes. Trust yoar has6and and
' very suro that he loves his little Ruth mos
and nsrs every day, and thanks Sod for qis
: I ing him such blessing" he said, in such
solemn, truthful manner, that she was 4uit
sstisiicd for some time afterwards, notwitl
standing that Aunt Prudence, every Day q
: 60, would find something to shock her "con
mon dccepcy" Is she termed it.
;. "Papa Il coming! Papa is comingw sai
baby George, running up to his mother.
!. "he tops to see Lilly, papa dive Lilly lik
= ness"
"Do you understand, Ruth, whatsthe chill
, is saving We'll, things are coming to aprett
Z | pass, that q man stopsf SEQ young girls, az
y give them his likeness, keeping his poor wi
" home waiting dinner; 'twasRt 50 in my da
: but Of coume, it is ell right, simply frien'
ship and pity"
aAunt Prudence, please do not talk 80.