Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-09-14
thinks might as well tell il in my

thinks l might as well tell it in my
own way"
She paused, and a sober pallor
oFersprcad her husbands face.
What was cOming?" his eyes
asked, with no faith that it was any
Ting to tighten his secret burden.
sHeorgle nerYously folded and un-
held.
.9This is for you John;" and she
held it shyly towards him. "My
anniversary gift. l have been work
ing for Mr.. Halliburton, too, this
year. And 1 have thirty guineas
here-the price of the designs have
made for the calicoes."
.'Georgie?"
You never suspected il? L did
not want you to till / knew whether
! could succeed"
John Randall had no voice in
which to word his amazement or
his gratitude for his restored faith
which, though his wife did not sus-
peet 1t, was by far his most precious
anniversary gift. She went on: ''I
could always use my pencil nimbly,
you know, John. And it had occur
red to me one day why / couldn't do
something with it for profit. l
spoke to Mr.. Halliburton, and he was
so klnd-you must thank him, John
-he took so much trouble with my
crude attempts; he did so much to
encourage me. And now, am fair
~ IN the way of work. l shall work
better, to know that yoH know of it.
want TO design for carpets by-and-
-3E, as for prints; that pays so well
"a per centage on the sale.'
She stopped short. suddenly con-
scious of how much she was say
ing.
Il have a surprise, also, for you,
Mr.. Randall" added Stephen Hall
burton, quietly. Il hope it, too,
will prove agreeable. The uniVer-
sal testimony of the mill officials, as
to your efficiency and trustiness,
make me feel that L am not showing
you proper appreciation, and de-
sire to give you a somewhat more
responsible position, with an in
crease OF salary!"
The very glory of heaven seemed
to be opening way to John Ran
dali out of all his trouble.
81 am too happy, Mr.. Halliburton,
to talk much" he said in his straight
forward way. 81 have been de-
pressed lately-the sudden removal
of all cause for low spirits"
He stopped short. Two big tears,
rolled down his cheeks. Stephen
Halliburton alone perceived what
George never suspected, that her
secret had made her husband jeal-
Gus. He grasped Johns hand:
''My dear fellow, it's too bad! l
feared it a little once or twice. OF
course l could not hint to Mrs. Ran
dali"
"What, John? What, Mr.. Hall
burton?'
Nothing, George, that you will
ever know"
They were alone together, by-and-
by, with their new-found happiness.
Perhaps George was equally re-
lieved that there was no more need
of mystification.
"What ever made you think of it,
Georgie?" her husband asked.
"Why, John, it was that day about
the gloves. l set myself consider
ing why you should have all the
toll, and 1 all the indulgence. l
pondered how 1 could make or save
Something"
~ am happier than ever thought
l could be again, dear"
"Do you know, l have fancied you
we're unhappy lately, John, because !
you thought L was longing for
things you could not give me? 1 |
could hardly wait for tonight to
come to tell you ALL"
"My darlingl'
And he folded his arms about her,
with his face on her shoulder; and |
in the brightness and silence of the |
room, with its odor of flowers and |
glow of leaves, they felt their way
through the coming future, safe con-
fident, out of the reach of any bitter |
trouble, since they loyed and trusted |
one another.