Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-12-16
her blinds across the street, saw the act

ed. hun up stars ana get my cigar
case, will. .you2"
Mary did 80, and when she came down
again, found tho door open, md Henry
sitting by the table reading.
"Where is mother ?" she asked.
"Wasn't she up stairs with youS" re.
piled Henry, keeping his eyes fixed on
mis- book.
"Why, no; I thought she was here. "
"Well, you see you are mistaken, "
he answered.
Mary did not reply, but took up her
work and sewed away busily, her
thoughts keeping time with her fingers.
She was positively certain she had heard
Mrs. Grey & voice in low toned conver.
sation with Henry, and yet he had the
same Ms denied her presence there. 1t
was the first time he had ever equivo-
Gated to his wifr, and she could not
overlook it lightly without knowing the
reason. Why had he done so9 Was
there anything secret between him and
his mother from which she was exclud
ed, and if 30, what could be the nature
OF it9
Well, never mind; it might have been
about Mrs. Grey's affairs, and had moth
ing to do with her; but then, why need
Henry have equivocated about tho mat
ter9
The little affair troubled her consider
ably, and her uneasiness was very much
augmented few days aftorward.
She was in the kitchen one morning,
putting the finishing touches to the
preparations for breakfast, when she
heard Mrs. Grey and Henry enter the
dining-room.
care you sure Mary knows nothing
about this matters" Henry was say
ing.
"Yes, am quite certain of it; and I
think we have been SO fortunate to keep
it from her.
eyes, it would never do for her to
find it out now" Henry answered.
Mary wanted to hear no more, but ran
out into the back hall and mp stairs,
whence she appeared in the dining room
as the breakfast bell rung, looking
little flushed and excited, but not
enough so to cause comment.
After breakfast Mrs. Gray went out to
make some little purchases, and Mary
sat down in her husbands big arm
chair in the sitting-roon, and tried to
reason herself out of her absurd fears
and suspicious.
What was it that her husband and his
mother were trying to keep from her ?
Why did they treat her like child, in
her own house, she thought indignant
ly; it was shameful
Her meditations were interrupted by
the entrance of Miss Susan Skinner, who
chad run over to have chat with her."
rs she said:
"Why, my dear" she exclaimed at
first sight of Mary, show poorly you
are looking! What is the matter?"
"Nothing serious. was very busy
yesterday, and am little tired"
"Ah, one more in the family makes
more work., 1 know. 1t won't do to
wear yourself out this way; you must let
your mother-in-law do her share of the
work."
"Ah, indeed she does," exclaimed
Mary, quickly, "even more than wish |
her to, sometimes"
Well, it seems to mo she goes out |
more than you do"
"And SO she ought. have Harry to
claim my attention"
"And she receives callers, too"
81 think you must be mistaken, Miss
Susan. She has made no acquaintances
since coming hero"
"But I certainly saw gentleman
come here, two days ago, when you were
down town.
"a gentleman !"
eyes, and she met him at the door
herself Mr.. Grey camo home in about
Lo1f L. |
him."
"Oh, it was probably some friend of
Henry's"
"Perhaps So" replied Miss Susan,
doubtingly. She soon took her depart
ure. leaving Mrs. Grey's mind in very
troubled state.
In vain did she try to reason with her.
self; to persuade herself that all this
was no concern of hers, it should not
trouble her; still she could not help con-
Meeting the visit of this gentleman with
the mysterious private conversations.
Why was she not thought worthy their {
confidence? Why all this secret plot.
ting and schemipg9
In spite of herself, all Miss SINNERS
warnings of few weeks before came !
back to her mind with redoubled force,
until she could have wished herself
deaf before ever listening to that hateful
Suspect her husbands mother, that
sweet, gentle faced woman, of any trea- s
son toward her! No, indeed, she {
would not! I
Still almost daily Mary found herself {
nterrupting stolen conversations, and {
upon evidences of the secret, /
mi add to this Miss SINNERS almost t
laily "chats" with her, which always ]
eft her feeling uncomfortably with the r
world in general and her mother-in-law c
n particular, no wonder that she grew t
hin and pale, and lost her appetite. c
Mr.. Grey and his mother wondered at it
md tried in vain to raise her spirits. Q
Her husband took her out driving v
laAy. -, t
The day before Christmas came. Mary q
pleaded that she was too busy when the v
ime for her drive came; but Henry b
would not listen to it, and she put on r
Ter wraps and went. The air was clear
md keen, and Mary felt much refreshed g
nd invigorated when at last they drew &
Up before the door.
Run up stairs and take your wraps G
fl, Mary, and then come right down; / p
want to show you something" said il
Henry, as he helped her out of the n
leigh. "
When she came down stairs, he was c,
vaiting in the hall; and, drawing her p
and through his arm, conducted her to Ia
he parlor.
" What is it you wish me to see, C,
1enry5" she asked, as they entered the Il
DOM. b
Find out for yourself, he answered, t,
layfully.
She raised her eyes, and then gave a