South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-16

over, however. / shall begin TO lessen nv
expenses little, for / must Law up q
little something the next year"
"We certainly have every chance to
save money" returned Linnie. "for both
the house and shop are ours without
rent, and we are free from debt"
Arson Kimball started at that last
remark, and turned his face toward the
window, but his wife did not appear to
notice his emotion.
you know, Anson," continued Mrs.
Kimball, "that upromised me l should
.have five dollars when YOU went on an
other excursion, and l shall certainly
hold you to that promise"
''Of course, that's fair" returned the
young man, "but do you need it now?''
yes"
"What are you going TO do with IL ?''
You won't be offended?"
mo"
"Then, to tell you the truth, I owe a
little sum-
The young man looked earnestly at
his little wife, and though he evidently
wished to say something about her run
ming into debt, yet for reasons best known
to himself. he kept quiet, and handed
over the five dollars.
Arson joined his old shopmates on
their excursion, and when he returned
he thought about beginning to cut Off q
great many of his unnecessary expenses,
but he introduced no new system Of op-
erations. Two or three times he did re-
frain from INDUCING in some petty APP
petite, but he soon settled back into the
old track, and the small bits of money
slipped away rs fast as ever.
Three years had passed away since
the couple were married, and few could
have wished FOR more social comfort than
they had enjoyed during the greater part
OF that time. For q month or two. how
ever. the young man had been gradually
growing more sober and thoughtful, un.
Ill st length he had become really sad
and down-hearted. His wife had en-.
doavored to cheer him up, though she
was unable to learn the cause of his de-
lection.
One evening, just before dusk, Linnio
saw two men pass her window and en-
ter her husbands shop. One of them
she knew to be the sheriff, and the cir.
cumstance troubled her not a little
she waited half an hour for her husband
to come to supper, but he did not ap-
pear, and her suffering began to be a.
cute. A thousand eoniectures fitted
through her mind, but they brought her
no consolation, and at length she deter
mined TO go 10 the shop door and see If
she could not overhear what was pass
ing within, feeling that at least such 6
Cpurza you'll 10
Linnie stole out from her front door
and went toward the shop. She placed
her ear TO the kcyhole, and listened, but
could only hear an indistinct humming
of voices, among which was that of her
husband. The latter was evidently sun
pllcating, for his tones were earnest and
impassioned. Soon there was a move
ment of feet toward the door. Linnie
fastened back to the house. Ere long
her husband entered. He looked pale
and troubled, and with a nervous move.
ment ofthe muscles ofhis face, as though
he would have concealed the grief that
bore him down, he took his seat at the
table.
Poor Linnie watched her companion
with look that was almost agonizing.
but she spoke not word until after An
son had set back from the table. Tie
food remained almost untouched upon
his plate when he moved away. and he
would have LEFT the house had not his
wife stopped him,
Husband" she said, in n soft gentle
tone. ut the same time laying her hand
upon hts arm and gazing imploringly in.
to ms face, what is it that troubles
you?n
Nothing, Linnie." half fretfully re-
turned he, and he made n motion rs if
to remove his wife's hand from his arm.
There is something. Arson; / know
there is. Come, do not keep it from me"
There is nothing that you need know"
But a wife need know all that can
affect her husband thus. What il it
Anson?"
1T is nothing but my own business.
and a wife need not know oil that"
This answer was harsh, ana tears
gushed 90 Linnie's eyes.
My dear husband" she gail. i'm ten
der accents 'to whom, oh. 10 whom
should you tell your sorrows. If not TO
he9 who loves you better than lie il-
self?"
Forgive me. forgive me. Linnio: I
didn't mean 10 wound your feelings: +
SIN very miserable and hardly know
what ! said"
Then. tell me NIL Come. 90 down
III my easy chair, for vour brow f. hot
and feverish. There, now tc'l me-"
Alter the young man ha1 taken The
prohered seat, he gazej for o moment
into the face Of his wife, and g look OF
deep anguish rested upon bis features
"Linnie," lie said. ] may ~ wei tel
you ell, but you must not Glide me. nor
must you do7p0nl FOR all snot so dark
"a might DE. ] am deeply u debt. and
tomorrow my shop and I'll ire contents
viii be advertised, by Tie sheriff for
sale"
In debt +" murmured his wife.
yes. During the last two years /
have been purchasing stock on credit.
u q -