Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-27


to the drawing room, which might we'll have
satisfied richer man from is elegant furni-
ture and coziness. Mara had gone out shop.
ping, 80 the page stated, and was not yet re-
turned but there was works Of her with
basketful Of gray-colored worsted balls on
the small table at which she usually sat,
near the ire-screen and on a handsome pia-
no, which YVES open, lay pieces Of new mu-
sic.
"See that" said Halsey, resting hand on
my shoulder. ado you remember that adj
vertisement Mara put into thepaper at Sand
beach three years ago, saying she could not
play the piano2 Well, she can now. had
bought that with the rest Of the furniture,
thinking we might occasionally give parties
and, knowing liked music, she engaged a
music-mistress to give her lessons every
morning uavares to me. The other night,
after dinner, she told me TO shut my eyes
and then she sank down and played the
tunes she had heard me praise" He turned
and brushed something away from his eyes
when he had said this, then rang for the
nurse to bring down Baby Mara, who was
led in toddling, and with finger in her
mouth. He caught her up and covered her
rosy cheeks with kisses, then passed her on
to me to do likewise, and said, "Why don't
you marry, too and set up an imitation Of
thisH What comparison is there between
this life am leadinghere, and that club-and.
chambers existence should have been drag
ging on with you fellows il had not met
Mara ~
Twas rejecting just the same thing When
should be in position to marry, like Hal
sey, and feel that other lives aud happinesses
were intwined with mine2 Notprobably till
l was past middle age, and unable to exist
in my home with the same force and fresh
ness as Halsey did in his. AT the best, |
should be welded to some one much young.
er than myself; and there could never be
between us that full communion Of spirit
which comes from parity Of ages. and con.
sequently Of hopes. had reached this
point, and was seated near the FIRE holding
Baby Mara on my knees, when the clock on
the mautlepiece struck seven.
ats strange" exclaimed HalSey, without
alarm, but astOnished as he compared his
watch with the clock 1--WE dine at seven ;
and Mara ia never so late as this"
We continued to chat and play with the
baby but at quarter-past seven our re-
marks began to flag, and Halsey rang to ask
the page whether his mistress had not left
word that she would be home later than u.s.
ual? mo" was the answer. Mrs. Halsey
had gone out at about halfpast four, telling
Susan, the maid, that she had worsteds to
match, and few other things to buy, but
she would be back very shortly. hazard
ed few reassuring conjuctures, which
whiled away the next ten minutes, but at
the half.hour Hasey's anxiety became intol-
cradle, and he rang again, but for the maid
this time, to inquire of her what her mis-
tres's exact words had been. The maid re-
peated all the page had said, but added that
her mistress had mentioned having mislaid
her watch-key, and being obliged to go to a
watchmaker's to buy another. She had just
pronounced these words, when there was a
ring at the street-door. 1t was a sharp ring
unaccompaned by knoci. The maid
went down and answered it. We sat look
ing at each other apprehensively. Inc
minute the maid returned with a startled
countenance to say that policeman wished
to speak to Mr.. Halsey.
A policeman is seldom the bearer Of good
, tidings We both rose together, Halsey
white as sheet, and 1 instinctively claspinG
his child closer to me. When the policeman
f was shown up, We must have offered a sim
gular picture,-Halsey halfway towards the
door, and looking as if he were afraid to ad
vance to meet the coming news, | with un'
easy inquiry in my attitude. The child
unconscious Of our emotions, was playing
\ with my necktie.
E The policeman was strong, honest-iaced
D man, who removed his helmet on entering
r and, looking at both Of us said, "Mr. Hal
D sey" Then he paused moment evidently
e not prepared for the signs of comfort anC
e even of luxury which he saw. He coughed
and changed the key of his voice: "Im sor
{ ry to say, sir. there's lady in trouble at oul
5 station. She was brought in custody ar
: hour ago, on a charge of shoplifting at I
r jewellers, and refused to give her name
| When she was searched, however, they
/ found cards and letters addressed Mrs. Hal
e sey and she admits the names hers"
e Halsey made step forward my
s WIFE - CHARGED - WITH SHOP
4 LIFTINGw
t Every word was separated from the mex
by cavernOus gasp and the voice gratec
e in an accent unknown to me. lput the chill
r down on the sofa, and, with cold moisture be
r dewiug my own forehead, approached Halsey
u thinking his next movement would be Il
spring at the policeman, and fell him wher
e he stood.
$ The policeman was not daunted, but ap
e peared touched Its best in these cases
r sir, to be told the worst at once. I'm afrai,
5 there's no mistake here. The three diamon'
!, rings were found in the lady's pocket"
J, ... ~.
D cannot describe how we went down Il
0 ihe nnline.stntinn. for. of all the eyents O