Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-08-24

SUNDAY morning.
"What coata" replied she, by way of
gaining time.
"The new one, at the tailor's. You
know 1 told you
81 do wish, James, you would not be
forever telling me-" she interrupted,
"but give your orders yourself they
torment me to DEATH"
"Well, it is not matter OF the least
consequence, replied the patient hus-
band; "if you will let me walk to
church with you in this old one, don't
care"
Mr.. Taylor was extravagantly fond OF
plants, and had magnificent cactus In
full bloom; it was a rare species, and
this was the first Towering. Fanny had
been considering the plan for some time,
and one day suitable opportunity pre-
senting itself when they we're on the
piazza together, managed to lose her
footing and fell, turning the vase over
and completely crushing the flowers In
her descent.
"Victoryp thought she, as she beheld
his distressed, anxious face. But no
it was not the cactus, but his good-for-
nothing wife he was tenderly picking up
and feeling so anxious about.
"He certainly must love me little
after ALL" thought she; "but I don't
know, he is very kind, and would prob
ably have been just as concerned if the
accident had happened to any one
else"
"In 90 home," sobbed Mrs. James
Taylor that evening. "I'll see how this
horrid man can live without me-"
"How long do you intend to remainF'
asked her husband, very ooolly, when
informed of her determination.
"Ohl six months" she replied. "I
am tired to death of staying here, and it
will be so nice to see William and Frank
and all of them. My cousin Archie Is
there, too, and we will have famous
rides and drives"
81 hope you will enjoy yourself" re-
maaked her husband, quietly. Fanny
relinquished her teasing operations grad.
ually before her Observation-Disclosures
from overwhelming him with questions
and remarks when he was in serious
mood, ard playing sad when he was i'll
clined to be merry. She would no lon
ger throw down his new hat (for which
he had a particular affection) dozen
times day, and pretend that it was en-
tirely accidental, and invite disagreea-
bic company when he was least in the
mood to bear it. It required all her res
olution to leave her husband; she felt
wretched and unhappy at the very idea,
and would walk around the house think
ing of his loneliness, and wondering
whether he would ever feel sad or re-
member her abominable behavior when
she had gone.
Her very heart was bursting the morn
ing she left, and it was with the great
| est difficulty that she could restrain her
tears. Yet one never would have sus-
pected it, for she was gay to an excess.
81 leave you with the comfortable
conviction that you'll not miss me at
ALL" she said, lightly, as her husband as
sisted her into the carriage.
He smiled, said "Good bye" and the
horse started. Mr.. James Taylor would
have been hattered if he had known that
Fanny cried all the way LONE, and her
pretty face was 80 swollen and disfg-
ured that she did not even see Archie or
hak of them till the following morning.
"In punish him by not writing,
thought she; "he never even asked me
if would !"
And write she did not for fortnight,
till at length, growing desperate to hear
from him, she penned an epistle abound
ing in questions and directions, orders
and counter-or with feeble hope
at the end that it might find him
hourishing. He replied Immediately by
a very kind letter, lot love-like. but in
unison with the rest of his conduct,
afectionate, proper and amiable. Fanny
waited fortnight again, then sent for
him to take her home. And now was
Mr.. James Taylor, if he had the least
love for his amiable helpmate,- to under,
go slight purgatory.
She was absent when he arrived cot
course sho intended to beg, riding with
her cousin Archie, and walked her horse
leisurely up the avenue talking gayly to
her escort till her husband reached her
side. Nothing could be more coolly
well bred than their meeting. No rap
ture or emotion on either side. She
"hoped he was we'll -" had she enjoyed
Ler visit9' eyes; more than tongue
could tell.'
"I don't believe he is we'll" thought
Fanny, as she glanced at him afterward
chow pale and thin he has grown, and
he looks more melancholy than ever.
wonder what is the matter with him, u
murmured Fanny to herself. 1t was
surprising how many plans Fanny hao
with her cousin during the three days
that her husband remained. She had not
been particularly civil to him before
for he was ON old lover, and she did not
care to be but now there really was nc
end to the jests and excursions they go1
up together she gayest Of the gay, and
he carrying her wild fancies with all the
zeal in the world.
"I don't think James looks eithel
well or happy. Fanny" said her mother
one day.
| "Don't you7" returned Fanny, and
she felt quite charmed at the idea, and
racing after her husband, who was al
the foot of the garden, she proposed
ter mothers remark without the slight
est circumlocution. He looked for s
moment at her animated face, then re
piled gravely that "he was perfectly
we'll" Fanny was uncertain again, ye
rather troubled.
"You must 60 and take walk with
me, James, down by the river" SHE