Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-03-03
SELECTED STORY
THE WIFE'S SURPRISE.

THE WlFE'S SURPRISE.
"The fact is, my dear Mrs. Lynde, your
children ought not to remain in this poison
GUS city atmosphere day longer. They
are too delicate, madam altogether too del
icate | regard it as your imperative duty
to send them out into the country !"
DR.. Carson put up his ponderous gold
eye glasses as he spoke, with the air of an
autocrat whose slightest wishes are law
Little Garry Lynde, nesting on the sofa,
held tight to her mothers hand, and regard
ed the doctor with wide-opened blue eyes
Mrs. Lynde sighed softly.
II doubt whether MI Lynde can afford
the expense of sending his family into the
country this season, DOCTOR"
afford it, Ma am Afford it? WHY all
the world knows how fast your husband is
making money, and excuse me, Mrs
Lynde, but am a plain man all tenden-
cies to parsimonious life ought to be check
cd in the bud"
Mrs Lynde blushed an indignant Grim
son.
CDR. Carson, l do not like to hear t. at
word applied to my husband y
The doctor took his ha-. ssThe powder
at eleven-perfectly quiet, and my little pa
tient will do very well. And remember
what recommend to you about the coun-
try"
After the doctor had tai en- his departure
Mrs. Lynde sat thinking on what he said
"Charles is poor man," she mused-s'a
man who is DEF ending on his practice as a
lawyer for his daily bread knew it when
l married him--nor have [ ever regretted
leaving the luxury OF Beech Grove for his
humber, quieter home. AS for nay CHARLES
being persimonious, don't I know better %
Tie rosy glow was still mantling Mrs.
Lyndes cheek at the bare idea, when a
CHEEKY voice sounded on her ear.
"Well, how is Garry tonight p
"Charles, is it you? How you startled
me?'
lie was frank, noble-looking man, with
clear, dark eyes, and a smile that brighten
ed bis whole face. "Am so startlin z p
What does the doctor say -
''He says the children must all 90 into
the country this summer with as little delay
as possible"
Mr.. Lynde slightly contracted his brows.
81 am nos sure that we can afford it,
| Alice"
THAT is what l thought myself but,
oh, Charles. if their healths, perhaps their
lives, depends upon it, ought we to hest
tate p
mo, suppose not-but, Alice, it's a
terrible drain on fellows purse just now"
Alice Lynde felt cold chill at her heart
was it possible that DR.. Carsons words
had Foundation in truth !? Was her hus-
band becoming prey to the terrible dragcp.
Of avarice +? Mr.. Lynde went on:
II suppose I must try and find some farm
house or other whore they won't charge the
children's weight in gold Alice, do yon
never sigh after the velvet lawns and shady
trees OF Beech Grove-and the old stone
house, with its cool verandahs, and the sum
mer harbor by the lake?'
"No p said Mrs. Lynde, stoutly.
'Never, Alice Z"
"Well-sometimes l can't help thinking
how nice it would be for the children. |
wonder if the man who owns it has any
children ?"
| II CNllolCEo WluOWti, l. UeIleVG. Dut
all this has very little to do with the ques-
ton of your summer exile. Ofcourse, you'll
need NO extra wardrobe to 60 to a farm
house, where there are no fashionable danes
and demoiselles to criticise your toilet"
"Carry and Lucy lave quite outgrown
their summer clothes, and Charles and
Frank have nothing at all to wear I sup
pose might get along, although I need a
new travelling dress sadly
CRY to dispense with it at present, that's
dear little puss.
Charles" said Mrs. Lynde, speaking
up suddenly from the impulse of her heart
sis not your business prosperous just at
PRESENT.
prosperous Yes.''
''Then why do you perpetually urge up
on me the necessity of economy %
i He colored a little-she thought be ap
peared somewhat confused at her abrup
question.
'Ihere are great many outlets TO-
; money, Alice, of whic you can scarcel,
form an adequate idea Eight o clock, is it
then | must be off. Good night, my low
I Pill try to be home before eleven"
t Mrs. Lynde was sitting by Carry's sof
: at her sewing, the next day, when Mis-
Priscilla Forbes was ushered in.
"Good morning, my dear-how's Garry
Better, eh Well 1 am glad to hea
it. Bethiah Lambs little girl was take
with the same symptoms, and she didn
live three days. I'd advise you to be care
full though, Alice-th there's always danger {
a relapse, and no one can feretell the cor
sequences of relapse. By the way, wher
has your husband gone to-day"
els he not at bis Office p
"Ne-he went out on the Brig ham raj
road this morning. saw him 60 by as
life depended on the haste he was making
and I thinks to myself I'll just keep an ey
n on him and see where he is going. So
followed just as fast as could trot, and jul
IN time to see him spring on board the trair
9 What he's going for I don't know, BIT
\ thinks | to myself again, Alice can tell m
T | all ahout IL -