The Portland daily press., 1876-12-30
1t was like a cymbal catching the sun. After
ali she had nnt missed her dnlinht

1t was like cymbal catching the sun. After
all she had not missed her delight.
1t was some minutes before the gentleman
could be made aware that he had sister-in-
law to welcome him as well as wife, ard
the knowledge came just in time TO preven4
the asking of questions which would have
been embarrassing at that moment.
Then when the first compliments were
over, and the questions again become immi-
nent, Mrs. Anterior had an inspiration. 81
have whm which you two people will be
so good as to indulge me in,' sshe said.
"Anne and left our luggage at the station,
thinking to walk home, but changed our
minds. Now wish yon to show your gal
lantry, Mr.. Francis, by permitting me to go
myself to the station while you remain here.
l am an old trayeler aud can speak a sort of
Italian. In ten minutes will be at the cor
ner there with carriage to take you up.''
She gave him no time for objections, but
walked rapidly away. "Al's well that ends
WE'LL" she muttered. "Hes good fellow,
and as fond of Anne as need be. l was
afraid this morning, but I'll risk them now"
''You have come just in time, Anne," her
husband said, "for made up my mind this
morning to start for England tomorrow.
had begun to think you would never come
back OF yourself"
''This morning?" she echoed.
eyes. This morning l took a sudden dis
gust of life and of myself, and resolved TO be
off. sat on the very bench where you sit.
If had but known you were so near"
"Did you drop this rose?" she asked, push
ing the poor withered thing out with her
foot.
II threw it there" he replied almost
sharply; "that or another. And you would
MT believe, dear, who gave it to me-"
She looked up earnestly in his face: 81
saw her give it to you, Arthur. We came
this morning, and was very near You when
| that woman came to sit by you. When l
| saw you put the rose in your buttonhole l
| felt so bad that went to a hotel and stayed
all day. I imagined you were being very
well amused without Inc. If you had come,
dear, and found me taking rose and smile
from man you disapproved of, wouldn't you
have felt grieved2 Carrie said it was moth
ing, and she has scolded me, but you know"
She stopped, for her voice was too tremulous
to go on, and, besides, all was said.
There was not sign of confusion in his
face, only establishment, pain, and perhaps
| touch OF indignation. He seated himself by
her and took her hand. SIS that all the con-
fidence my wife has in me?" he added. II
don't wonder you were displeased-you had
reason and right to be-but if you had
come directly to me, it would have been
better. Anne, you have seen, actually, the
only fault of which have been guilty, and
| you went just minute too soon to see me
atone for it. Let me tell you all. Perhaps I
may have answered her salutations when we
met on the stairs or in the street with little
more politeness than before. don't know
why, unless for that reason, she has come ont
here several mornings, knowing that always
come. Once or twice we met with a word,
but lodged her, and came late yesterday
morning and to day in order to get rid of her.
But to- day l was in different mood when I
saw her, and for few minutes felt like see
ing how far she would 60 unassisted. 1t was
wrong in me, but it was only for minute;
and when, after was fool enough to put the
rose in my coat, she said, 'Pm afraid your
wife wouldn't like to see you wear that 1
answered her, you are quite right and
fang it away before her face. She got up
and left me in fury at that; she had not
expected such reply. Now, my dear, 1
have told you everything, and God knows I
am sorry that my folly has cost you so
dear.'