The Van Buren press., 1872-07-09

y
iously Il haven't seen her so gay since
her marriage. .,
Fanny can be very agreeable and
lively when she chooses, he returned
auietly-not much liking her tone.
"Mr. Harrington seems to think so, =
she observed significantly. What
handsome, elegant looking man he is !
don't wonder at Mrs Merritt's being so
lively with him. he's so agreeable and
Interesting,
Tom Merritt looked at his wife and
her companion moro attentivsly than be
fore The latter was a stranger--a very
elegant and stylish looking man, and he
was bending little over Fanny's char,
talking to her with an interested look
Tom did not exactly like the manner
neither the smile. with which his wife,
glancing up into Mr.. Harrington's face,
arcbly answered to his remarks. Pres
emily he made his way to her, and whis-
pered to her:
"Enjoying yourself, Fan p
"Oh, yes; delightful Don't you find
it soi"
NDt paitiNui"iiy'
Fanny turned again to Mr., Harrlng
ton, with some coque.tlsh remark, and
when he answered in tone so low that
Mr.. Merritt did not catch the words, she
exclaimed: "You naughty man. and
tapped him playfully on the arm, Tom
thought this was progressing wonderful
", for his modest little wife, and he look
around to see whether it had been OBJ.
served Somehow he didn't like the
idea OF Mrs. Thomas Merritt being seen
so familiarly talking with this stranger
"What a charming little lady Mrs
Merritt is !" he heard gentleman say to
another $50 lively Snd piquantc, and
evidently not averse to Irritation
suppose her husband-' and here hs
stopped, warned by a nudge from his
friend, whose iacs was toward Tom; but
the words left disagreeable, ha'fangry,
half mortified impression upon Mr.. Mer.
ritt's mind.
Fanny, are you not getting tired 2
he asked when, half an hour later, he
sought his wife, and found her promen
aiding in lively chat with Captain Mans
nelu, WHO WIS kHOWH rs tilo S'So'No1 'N
dv's man in Westville.
"Tired - no indeed Pray don't
trouble yourself about me, dear I'm
perfectly satisfied; and Captain Mans
field will take good care of me--won't
you captain p coquettshly.
The captain answered gallantly, plac
ing his hand on his heart; and Fanny
laughed as she resumed her promenade,
leaving her husband looking after them
with anything but a comfortable feeling
Ho saw smle on the faces OF one or
two persons who had witnessed the per
formance, and who were evidently anus
ed at his vexaton; and he determined to
put a stop at once to his wilcs very un.
becoming conduct
Fanny do you know it is very late !?
he said as she repassed him in her prom
enade.
"Isit2 What a pity! But suppose
we can remain little longerS' p
81 think we had best 60 now" he an
swered gravely
Then must bid you az reeotr Cap
cain Mansfield This tyranical husband
Of nine insists upon taking me away
with him. What misfortune to be a
married woman" "
The captain whispered something
about its being greater misfortune to
himself than to Mrs Merritt and she
murmured laughingly, that the captain
had better keep his gallant speeches for
the young ladies'; and at that moment
Mr.. Harrington addressed her with;
"Not going, hope, Mrs Merritt, just
as the Virginia reel is about to com
moncci' and she regretiully replied
"Yes, | positively must. but
and her husband heard indistinctly some
words exchanged about scotch song
that Mrs Merritt had promised to play
for Mr. Harrington on the following day
Fanny, is that man going to call on
You to morrow p asked her husband on
their way way home.
Certainly. One Of the most inter
esting and agreeable gentlemen have
ever met with. What delightful even
ing it has been, Tom, dcar--hasnt 1t
"Not to me--though you certainly ap'
peared to be enjoying yourself in way,
tHat ] must COuleosf bnaS W" nv ~
ticularly admire. In fact. Fanny, | was
surprised to SEQ you carrying on so
more like n girl than married wo-
man.
"Why, what have done to displease
You ?" inquired his wife innocently.
"What have you done? Haven you
been chatting and Laughing and flirting
with those men all the evening, putting
on the most eoqucttish airs and encour'
aging their foolish speeches and atten
tions as no married woman ought to do
or has right 10 do p
"Why, Tom, | do believe you're jeal-
Gus y
"Jealous r said Mr.. Tom with su-
prcmc scorn. Il jealous and OF those
popinjays; No. Fanny, I'm nst jeal-
Gus Fin hurt ard mortified, and | must
really request that such conduct on your
part shall not be repeated"
"Tom," said Fanny looking earnestly
in his face, 4" did you not tell me yester'
day that YOU wished | would amuse my
self and flirt little and that it would do
no harm, but on the contrary render me
moro attractive
Mr.. Merritt looked startled.
"You might have known ] was not IN
earnest.
And, Tom, don't you hirt always at
In