Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-31
Johns Wife.

Miss Barbara Snyder sat in her straight
backed char before the fire, her feet on
the fender, her head dropping, her eyes
cl0sed-to tell the truth, although she
would have Indignantly denied it, Miss
Barbara Snyder was asleep. Her maid,
hear-featured, middle-aged woman,
who was moving about the room putting
it in order, as she did fifty times a day,
at her mistress's command, watched her
furtively to see that she did not fall into
he fire.
''Jane, said Miss Barbara, suddenly
waking and sitting bolt upright with un-
blinking eyes, 'If he comes-and l am
sure he will-don't let him in"
''No, ma'am, answered Jane submis-
sively.
Tell him he has seen me for the last
time, the hypocrite to pretend always
to be SO fond of me, and then go and
marry an empty-headed dOll-bahy. be
sure and send him away, Jane"
''Yes, ma'am."
A sudden cOmmotion in the lower hall
interrupted them; a few bars of a pop
ular air, whistled in a mastery manner,
a rapid clatter of boot heels on the
stairs, and then young gentleman, who
might have sat as model for modern
Hercules, rushed in, and falling over an
ottoman, upsetting a chair, and making
a confusion worse confounded in the
quiet room, dashed at Miss Barbara and
took her by storm.
Congratulate me :" he cried, after
imprinting a half dozen kisses on her
withered cheek. Aunt Barbara she is
the dearest"
"You may 60, Jane" Miss Barbara
had recovered from the shock a little,
and as Jane had retired, she folded her
mittened hands tightly together, and
turned upon him.
Nephew john
There was comical expression of de-
spair on the young fellows face at this
unpropitious beginning, but he said moth
ing.
Nephew John, I'm disappointed in
you! | am not angry, but I'm deeply
grieved-"
"Why, Aunt Barby!" The blue eyes
of her listener opened wide, but she si-
fenced him with a stately gesture,
'Plcase be quiet-I wish to speak. L
have done my duty to you, John (there
was a little tremble in her voice as she
said this, but she went on grimly), and
now you are just coming to manhood
(John was twenty-siX), and | had just
begun to trust in you a little, and now
you desert me for a doll-baby."
''She is not a doll-baby!" said the
young husband, Indignantly. ''If you
only knew her you would love her
dearly"
Nonsense :" the black eyes snapped
decidedly. "All girls are fools nova
| days but no matter, you have chosen
Io% mill &c y11a1n a1r6
will not change it, but you will never be
to me again what you were before.
There was real distress in John Bar
tons heart as he rose and stood before
her.
eff YOU only let me bring her here to
you." he pleaded; 81 am sorry you are
so displeased Aunt Barby, don't let
this part us.
''You have chosen The Sphynx
could not have looked more unmoved.
II ordered them not to admit you
you need not come again"
eff you will only hear me-"
''But | won't good afternoon. And
so John Barton left her, with her face
turned away from him and her hands
still clasped before her.
Miss Barbara Snyder was proud. Miss
Barbara Snyder was wealthy. Miss
Barbara Snyder was fond of her own
way But she was a woman, and in hel
heart of hearts she loved John Bar.
ton, her handsome nephew. dearly. His
mother, her only sister, had died wher
he was little child, and his father dy-
ing soon after, Miss Barbara had, in 9
fashion, adopted him. She had indulg
ed him from the first day of his entrance
into her house; she had watched ovel
him and made him her one object in life
He had been the CLEAN of sunshine IL
her life, and to his honor be it said, ht
had never been unworthy of the love anc
] confidence which she gave him. 'tAun'
Barbara" was to him the only person II
the world, and although people marvel
+ ed at the affection of the bright.faeec
young man for his grim old aunt. 1t wa
genuine and true. He had gone through
college in thoroughly satisfactory man
ner, and afterwards had settled dowl
into as steady and trustworthy youns
business man as there was in the city
and for three years had behaved accord
ing to his aunt's wish in every request
/ One day, however, the peace and tran