The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-12-27

she could have wished herself des: before
over listening to that hateful woman.
Suspect her husbands mother, thet
sweet, gentle-faced woman, of any tres.
aon toward herl No, indeed, she would
notl
Still almost daily Mary found herself
interrupting stolen conversations. and
stumbling upon evidences Of the eecret,
and add to this Miss Skinner'a almost
daily "chats" vita her, which always left
her feeling uncomfortably with the world
in general and her mothef-in-lav in par
ticulsF, no wonder that she grew thin and
pale, and lost her appetite. Mr.. Grey
and his mother wondered at 1t and tried
in vain to raise her spirits. Her husband
took her out driving daily.
The day before Christmas came, Mary
pleaded that she was too busy when the
time for her drive came; but Henry
would not listen to it, and che ru. ca her
wraps and went. The aif was clear and
keen, and Mary felt much refreshed and
in"!gorated when at last they drew up
bs fore the door.
"Run up staira and take your wraps
OF, Mary, and then come right down; /
want to show you something" said Hen.
ry, as ne helped her out Of the sleigh.
When she came down stairs, he was
waiting in the hall and, drawing her
hand through his arm, conducted her to
the pnrlor.
what is it you wish me to see,
Henry9" she asked, as they entered the
room.
"Find out for yourself" he answered,
playfully.
She raised her eyes, and then gave q
shrill scream Of delight, and, with q
bound, was across the room, standing be.
side superb pianoforte.
"Oh, Henry, where did this como from
What perfect beauty! Is it really fo.
me? Oh, how can I ever thank you p
Zone question at time, my dear; but
l will answer your last one first. You
have no right to thank me for this Christ.
mas present. Here is the giver," replied
Henry, going up to his mother, who had
stood quiet spectator of Mary's pleas
ure, and putting his arm around her.
"Motherl is it possible Oh, you darl-
ing how can ! ever thank your" cried
Mary, throwing her arms, too, around
Mrs. Grey, and giving her raptu0us
hug.
Il am we'll surrounded, 1 see, " said she,
smiling on them proudly.
II ain glad you ,7e pleased with your
piano, Mary, and you shall repay me by
getting Gil the enjoyment from i The.
you can."
"It is something have wanted ever
since we were married." said Mary, "but
Henry could not quite afford it,"
"And now you have your hearts do
sire" said Henry, "but at the expense OF
little SHINING, 1 am afraid. Do you re.
member one evening, about two weeks
ago, when you found the parlor door
lockedP Mother and I were holding q
consultation when you came, and sent
you after tie cigar case to give her tirae
70 run away. came very near telling a
fih that night"
EYES," said bis mother, "such planning
and plotting as we have had. The other
day, when the man came to make the
final arrangements about bringing the
piano, you were down town, and / was so
afraid you would return unexpectedly f:
and this afternoon they came and put ii
up while you were out driving; but ]
knew Henry would not bring you home
TOO Soon"
Mary felt herself turning sick and faint.
This, then, was the secret which had tor
mented her 80; these innocent plots and
plans prompted by loving heartsI What
q monster she was to have suspected this
noble woman of any wrongf She felt
like humbling herself in she dust before
her.
GLOW white you are, child The ex-
citement mas been too much for ycu,"
said Mrs. Greg.
But Mary knew better. Sill, she kept
her secret locked in her own breast not
by word would she let this gentle wo-
man know hc- she had been tempted to
doubt her.
Mary has gradually dropped Miss
Susan Skinner's acquaintance, and that
worthy spinster often complains nov
"dreadfuiIy uppish come folks have
grown ;" b.: Mary is only too glad to be
able TO keep out of reach &C har to: .:ue
and finds her greatest comfort and delight
in the society of her mother-in-law, than
whom she thinks thurs is no better NO
MAJ. on earth.