The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-07-11
THE STORY-TELLER.
ALMOST A TRAGEDY.

NlIS lIfd OlICSlCI 40 III
If she should go to Mr. and Mrs. Blanch-
ards ,tete her husband would be left to
his own diversions during her absence.
Jealousy was one of Mrs. Forrester's
besetting failings; if she should stay at
home and watch him, she would be
giving up to him, for she had said that
go she would, and he had declared that
he would not go.
Blanchard cheated me-" her husband
said angrily. d" He owes me to-day two
or three thousand dollars which he
would pay if he had Il spark of honor in
him, though the law does not compel
him. But no he has speculatcd, risen
up again and has built mansion; now
he is going to have house warming,
and has the impudence to invite me. 1t
isn't proper for you to CO."
"It is never proper for me to go when
1 want to CO." protested his wife. at
isn't my fault if the laws do not protect
you. | should think that you wonder
ful men who can rule the world in such
grand way, without the help of women,
would make some kind of law about
paying debts. Everybody is going to
this tete, many to whom Blanchard owed
money as well as he did you, and it is to
be the most splendid affair of the season.
There will be boats on the pond and
tents on the lawn. with fruit untold,
and a dinner, a dance and supper. l
must lose these because some ten years
ago, he failed and in your debt l shan't
do itw
"And 1 shan't go!" retorted the hus-
band. eff you 90 it must be alone"
"A Uo,,- ,,,ol1 oo;1 Mro Enrrautar
and, tossing her head, went out of the
breakfast room, where this dialogue had
taken place, and began to turn over her
wardrobe to make q selection for the
.tete.
James would come round when he
knew that she was really going.
But James didn't come around, and
here it was the day before, and he
wouldn't go and she would. She con-
cluded that she must, for, aside from
showing him that she meant to have
her way, it was impossible to think of
not displaying that beautiful crimson
silk dress on the very first chance.
To be sure it was awful to go with
out her husband, still more to go with
that odious Mrs Clark, who would be
her duenna but go she would.
Mr.. Forester said not another word.
lie was as pleasant as usual, and he
was generally very pleasant man when
he had his own way.
When at noon luncheon his wife ap-
peared resplepdent in a red silk dress,
with low neck and Jewels scarcely hid
den by the little jacket she was to wear
till evening, and with her hair superbly
rolled and puffed, he only said
My dear, you look remarkably well,
and seemed to take for granted that
the attirewas assumed for his especial
delectation.
She pouted, returned no answer, and
made great show of being in hurry
and of listening to the sound of every
carriage wheel that rolled along the
street. But he would ask no questions
She would have given something il
Mrs. Clark had driven mp before James
went out, but she did not; he went out
without word of goodbye, though she
was to be gone all night-the cruel
wretch.
Mrs. Clark came the minute he was
out of sight-some people never do come
at the right moment-and Mrs. For
rester had hard work to be smiling.
Wasn't your husband sorry that yor
should go without him Z" the horrid ole
woman asked.
"Oh, very sorryp exclaimed Mrs
Forester, "but he is so anxious that
should have all the pleasure that l can
He, poor dear, is completely immersed
in business. He hasn't failed and paid
a shilling on the dollar-ha ha !-sc