The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-01-28
JACKSON G. H. OHIO, THURSDAY JANUARY 28 1869.

for his letters; and be had endured
with perfect Indifference the many re-
marks which this proceeding had
brought upon bin. The bag now lay
on the table, and he proceeded to open
it with the key, which never left his
watch-chain.
"This is vexation," he said, after
gIancing through the one letter it con-
tanned. "Here am l summoned to
London, 10 appear Tomorrow before
the committee about the Briswick
workhouse case. | must start to-day"
"That is tiresome and tomorrow
evening Mrs. Carter was to bring her
children and her little nieces to drink
tea here. You will miss them What
a PITY"
That shall survive, dare say /;
only don't you tire yourself, love,
whatever you do. l shall try hard to
get home the day after tomorrow"
"Indeed, l hope So Why the day
after tomorrow is our wedding day."
A search into the mysteries of Brad
shaw made it evident that the doctor
must leave Slowcombe by the train
which started at one o'clock. AS the
coach passed through Sedgebrook at
twelve, he said he would avail himself
of it, and not risk his horse on the icy
roads.
"And l will come and see you off,"
said his wife, pausing, as she moved
away to her hurried preparations. He
demurred, but gave way at the sight Of
her imploring face, sayingi-
"Well, well, / can't refuse you. But
Jonathan shall follow in the pony trap,
and drive you home won't have you
sliding about these frosty lanes without
my arm to lean upon"
Isott often remembered 10 after days
how she watched them from the door;
the strong husband accommodating his
brisk step to the slow pace of his deli
cate wife, who clung to him more out
of love for the strong supporting arm
than because its stay was necessary to
her. Others there were also, who told
long afterwards how the pair walked
together in close conversation up the
village street; how he looked back
after her from his seat, as long as the
coach was in sight, and how mourn
fully she turned away.
The little party to which she had
alluded was on a very small scale,
being merely an entertainment to the
four vicarage children and two little
cousins who were staying with them.
The vicar and his wife were the only
grown-up guests but Mrs. Denbigh's
life was such gu ct one, that she
looked on the occasion as something of
an event, and was anxious that her
house should wear its prettiest aspect.
She spent all that dull winter afternoon
in renewing the Christmas holly which
dressed the room, and tired herself
thoroughly.
The hour fixed for her little party
was, of course, an early one. BY six
o'clock in the evening the substantial
tea was over, and they went to the
drawing-room, where the children were
to amuse themselves with games.
"Magic Music" was the first, and the
children's interest was greatly height
ened by Mrs. Denbigh announcing
that the child who found the thing
hidden should keep it. A very ami
mated scene followed, the little ones
searching high and low, under tables,
and behind curtains, as the music now
loud, now low, encouraged them to
proceed or warned them that they were
on a false scent And when fat little
Johnny Carter, sturdy four years old
boy, the youngest of the vcarage chill
dren, discovered that the prize was
buried in the white Astrachan hearth
rug, what a merry shout there was, and
how delighted the little hero looked, as
he undid the roll of paper in which it
was enveloped,a brought out a quaint
old Father Christmas, whose head un-
screwed, and showed all his venerable
body stuffed with sugar plumsl'
"How very pretty Mrs. Denbigh is
looking tonight" Mrs. Carter whis-
percd to her husbands zone never
grows used to her beautyi it strikes
one afresh constantly, does not it 7"
Remarkably well she looks; that
black velvet suits her exactly, and she
is wonderfully frightened up tonight" ."
She was indeed in unusual beauty
her fair skin and blue eyes set off to
peculiar advantage by Ter dress, which,
with its square cut bodice and hanging
sleeves, had the quaint effect of an old
picture. She wore set of heavy old.
fashioned silver ornaments, aud hel
sweet face looked its sweetest.
"You must not tire YOURSELF" saic
Mrs. Carter, smiling at her, as she
again took her place at the piano.
80, this does not tire me-" she said
"lt is so nice to see the children happy
| wish Philip were here"
"Do youl" thought Mrs. Carter, g,
can't agree with you. / wonder WIN
| dislike that man so. When do yol
expect him Z" she asked aloud.
perhaps tomorrow" .i
"There is Isott making telegraph
signals at the door," said Mrs. Carter
81 think she wants yoH"
Mrs. Denbigh went to the door, anC
the old servant drew her into the hall
her shrewd honest face wearing lool