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

she could have wished herself deaf before
ever listening to that hateful woman.
Suspect her husbands mother, that
sweet, gentle-fac woman, Of any trea.
son toward her! No, indeed, she would
notl
Still almost daily Mary found herself
interrupting stolen conversations, and
stumbling upon evidences Of the secret
and add to this Miss SINNERS almost
daily "chats" with her, which always left
her feeling uncomfortably with the world
in general and her mother-in-law in par.
ticular, no wonder that she grew thin and
pale, and lost her appetite. Mr.. Grey
and his mother wondered at it 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 she put on her
wraps and went. The air was clear and
keen, and Mary felt much refreshed and
inyigorated when at last they drew up
before the door.
"Run up stairs and take your wraps
off, Mary, and then come right down; ]
want to show you something" said Hen.
ry, as he 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 parlor.
"What is it you wish me to see,
Henry?" 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 pia1oforte.
ooh, Henry, where did this come from 7
What perfect beauty! Is it really for
me? Oh, how can l ever thank your
"One question at time, my dear; but
1 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.
Mother! is it possible Oh, you darl.
ing how can I ever thank you? 2" cried
Mary, throwing her arms, too, around
Mrs. Grey, and giving her q raptuous
hug.
81 am well surrounded, I see," said she,
smiling on them proudly.
~ am glad you are pleased with your
piano, Mary, and you shall repay me by
getting all the enjoyment from it that
you can"
"It is something I have wanted ever
since we were married." said Mary, "but
Henry could not quite afford it."
"And now you have your hearts de.
sire," said Henry, "but at the expense of
little SHINING, I am afraid. Do you re-
member one evening, about two weeks
ago, when you found the parlor door
locked? Mother and were holding q
consultation when you came, and ] sent
you after the cigar case to give her time
to run away. | came very near telling a
fb that night"
eyes," said his 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 I was so
afraid you would return Unexpectedly I;
and this afternoon they came and put it
up while you were out, driving; but /
knew Henry would not bring you home
oosoon."
Mary felt herself turning sick and faint.
This, then, was the secret which had tor
mented her so; these innocent plots and
plans prompted by loving hearts! What
monster she was to have suspected this
noble woman of any wrongl She felt
like humbling herself in the dust before
her.
Chow white you are, childl The e1.
citement has been too much for you"
said Mrs. Grey.
But Mary knew better. Still, she kept
her secret locked in her own breast; not
by word would she let this gentle wo-
man know how she had been tempted to
doubt her.
Mary has gradually dropped Miss
Susan SINNERS acquaintance, and that
worthy spinster often complains how
"dreadfully uppish some folks have
grown" but Mary is only too glad to be
able to keep out Of reach of her tongue ;
and finds her greatest comfort and delight
in the society of her mother-in-law, than
whom she thinks there is no better wo-
man on earth.