Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-02-03
A WINTER STORY.
The ROMANCE OF A RED CLOAK.

eagerly extended hand, adding with smile, " II
l did not know that il is business, Philip, think
shoulder while you read"
/. il You are welcome to do it, my darling, yon
know have no secrets from you"
Very well. sir, will consent to stay here un-
til you have read yoar letter; it has just occur
red to me that you might want my advice about
somethingi for you know that am your better
half"
more than half, little woman; you are nearer
the whole. l don't know what l should do with
out you, Grace. Msimed, helpless where should
be but for your tender nursing, which is doing
more than anything to make me we'll"
As he spoke, Philip Holt looked with sorrow-
full significance at his bandaged leg, which was
supported on chair. He had been for some
weeks suffering from compound fracture, and
other injuries sustained in fall from a dog-cart.
| Philip was clerk in a mercantile house, in the
small toNn of oldingham. He had been about
two years married to Grace Howard. Young
nursery governess, and the orphan daughter Of
country surgeon she had brought him no
other marriage dowry than her fair face and true
heart.
The young pair had begun life with love as
their chief worldly capital; and thanks TO their
united efforts-to the wife's talent for do
nestle management and tue hu bands habits Of
industry and economy-all had gone well with
them up to the date of his unfortunate accident
| Until then there had been no shadow OF care in
the little home. which had been their eartl y
paradise though it consisted only OF two plainly
\
house in the suburb of the town; but as Philip
fondly said, Grace had such a happy way Of
making everything look bright about her.
The young wife understood her husbands sor-
rowful gances but she tried to divert his
thoughts, saying playfully, Come Philip. your
letter; thought you were in a hurry to read 1t;
now am getting impatient to hear what the
firm have to say perhaps they have written to
tell you that they cannot do without you any
longer"
Was it foreboding Of coming evil that made
Philip hesitate before he opened the envelope
conscious OF va ;ue feeling Of uneas uess as he
glanced at the bright face that was smiling over
his shoulder? She seemed so full OF hopeful
anticipation, to which he was unable to respond
for he could not diyest himself OF strange un-
defnable fear connected with the letter
What is the matter, Philip, are you ill9"
This was the young wife's anxious question:
as she saw her husband suddenly drop the letter
and heard bis half stifed cry. When she caught
sight of his CHASTITY paleness and altered man
ner she hastily picked up the letter exclaiming
"0h. Philip what is it?"
That something in the letter was the cause of
his agitation, size now felt sure. Her first care
was to soothe him, and she did it in the tender
womanly fashion that seldom fails of its power
over the sex of sterner mould.
rs it bad news? tell me Philip. is ii bad newsi
Don't try to keep it back with the thought Of
sparing me- Your trouble ia mine, and what
| ever it is must bear my part"
| In reply the poor fellow wound his arm about
| her slight figure, and in his heart blessed her
for the comfort which her loving. COURAGEOUS
words had given him,
Come" she urged, with fond persistence
that was not to be turned aside tell me the
worst; it cannot be anything very dreadful.
The doctor says you are getting better, and
while you are spared to me, Philip, l think
could bear anything"
He tried to smile, but it faded from his lips
as he pushed the letter, which she had placed
on the table towards her, faltering, Read for
yourself, darling. 1t is from the firm they
send me notice Of dismessal"
Ii was true. Philips employers Messrs Hard
man Joyce, had written few cold. curt words
to appflse their clerk that his continued absence
llad caused INCONVENIENCE, which had made it
necessary to appoint another to supply his place.
and as this arrangement had proyei satiafactorv
to them, they begged to infor n Philip Holt that
lis services were dispensed with from that date
II.
The husband and wife looked at each other
IN silence. 1t was cruel blow which was thus
Unexpectedly dealt him; both could realize what
Il was to be cast ont Of employment during a
.line . OF commercial depression, and winter days
found him still on the forlorn list of the nm
employed. Looking at his thin face her heart
ached Tor him in the trouble which had
come upon them, for he was far from strong.
ana me htlie comforts had become almost ne
eesslties ST life to to him. What was to be done?
The expense tailed by his accident mad already
made serious iuroa15 upon the slender sum
wines they had managed to save This was the
question that presented itself to Philip as lis
lace caught and retained the shadow which had
passed over that of Grace
II never thought they would have acted like
this, Grace, after the years l have been in their
employ; 1t IS hard that a mans misfortune
should be visited against him as a fanlt. but /
know who have to thank for it, With all his
Oddities Mr., Hardman would not have done
such thing"
p, Would i,l q it do any good to apply to him,
No" returned the husband gloomily it
would he useless. Mr.. Hardman leaves ali to
b 30 : n-law, Mr. Joyce who manages eyery-
thing, the partner included"
Could not go to Mr.. Harllnan.' PLilip. and
explain it TO HIM"
No, Grace; l don't think lie would act against
MT joyce for lie almost believes he cannot do
wrong
Never mind, Philip don't grieye: sometl,ing
else will be sure to turn up; you are SO yery
clever, and your leg will be well in few weeks '
"1ol forgot Grace, that all our savings are
hearly spent, and that may find some dillieulty
IN getting another situation"
The half-irritable tone of his voice hurt the
young Wlte who had struggled so hard to hide
from him her own feeling She burst into tears,
Imiai5,!nailng; reproaehfqy Il forgot forgot,
trials" ~ 'P"'o' suoii
My dear, dear wife, forgive me; am 10 mis-
cradle that hardly knew what | said OH if
1t hal come at any other time"
LII.
Showing still, as it had showed furhours. 'The
AIR was Of full bliuding mist from thickly fallin@
1akes which the wind driftcd into masses tbrong2
the cold white streets. The office clock ponteJ
i to qnarter-past ten on the bleak December
4 morning when Stephen Hardman left his desk
) and readjusting his gold-rimmed secptacles
o. placed himself at the window as he did every
morning az the same hou-. No matter what
might he his occupation, at the time il was madf
10 yield to the indulgence of what appeared those
q around him mcst singular whim.
when the quarter had advanced to TWENTY-FIVE
. minutes past the hour, he took out his watch
ana compared it with the office clock; as he ex-
pected, they agreed to second
q MOT coming, lie muttered 81 never kneU
her to extend more than three or fonr second,
over the quaiter so punctual to her time thal
might almost set my watch by her Not conino
Well, 1t not fit weather for one like her 10 6,
ultt she's too small and delicate looking Il
she belonged to me I'd take care-WLv HES,
me, there she is!' the old merchant added in an
eager whisper, as young lady came in view
She was on the opposite side of the street
slight, glrhsh figure, with n popularity Of dresi
that might have attracted attention in place,
less tolerant to varieties of costume than a bns,
j little town. This was scarlet cloak. with ii
Il hood drawn over her bonnet, and fitting roun(
her face like frame. 1t gave out a warn
, CLEAN OF color against the snow and inyestef
l. its wearer with some resemblance to the Raf
! Hiding Hood OF the sweet old fairy tale
= Standing there, with his hands resting on th,
edge OF the wire blind the merchant had watch