The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-12-19
s. G, WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 49, 1877

IF only knew what that letter con
tanned, she said, half an hour after j
had come in, her mind still feeling tn
pressure which had come down upon l
80 strangely, as it seemed to her.
She went to the mantel-piece, took ~
the letter, and examined the superscrip
ton. It gave her no light. Steadily
Il kept growing upon her that its content
were of nature to trouble her husband
"He's been little mysterious o
late," she said to herself. This idea at
fected her very unpleasantly. ''H'
grows more silent and reserved" sh'
added, as thought, under a kind O.
feverish excitement, became active in
new direction. "More indrawn, as i
were, and less interested in what gset
on around him. His coldness chills mi
at times, and his irritation hurts me-"
She drew long, deep sigh. Then
with an almost startling vividness, cam,
before her mind, in contrast, her tender
loving, cheerful husband of three years
before, and her quiet, sober.faced hus
band of to-day.
"Something has gone wrong witt
him." she said aloud, as feeling grew
stronger. "What can it be?"
The letter was in her hand.
"This may give me light" And with
careful fingers she opened the envelope
not breaking the paper, 30 that sht
could seal it again if she desired so *
do. There was bill for sixty dollars
and communication from the perso1
sending the bill. He was jeweler.
eff this is not settled at once" hs
wrote, ~ shall put the account ip suit
It has been standing for over year
and am tired of getting excuses insteae
of my money"
The bill was for a lady's watch, which
Mrs. Whitman had almost compelled hel
husband to purchase.
"Not paid for! Is it possible ?" ex'
claimed the little woman, in blank as
tonishment, while the blood mounted
to her forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light
began to come into her mind. As she
sat thus thinking, a second letter came
in for her husband from the postman,
She opened it without hesitation,
Another bill and another dunning letter
"Not paid! Is it possible p. She re-
peated the ejaculation. It was bill Of
twenty-five dollars for gators and slip
pers, which had been standing for three
or four months.
"This will never do! said the awak'
ening wife" never !" And
she thrust the two letters into her pocket
in resolute way. From that hour until
the return of her husband atdinner time,
Mrs. Whitman did an unusual amount
of thinking, fer her little brain. She
saw, the moment he entered, that the
morning cloud had not passed from his
brow.
"Here is the money for that new
dress" he said, taking small roll OF
bills from his vest pocket, and handing
them to Ada, as he came in. He did
not kiss her, nor smile in the old bright
way. But his voice was calm. if not
cheerful. A kiss and a smile would have
been more precious to the young wife
than hundred silk dresses. She took
the money, saying:
"Thank you, dearl It is kind of you
to regard my Wishes"
Something in Ada's voice and manner
caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his eyes,
with look of inquiry, to her face. But
she turned aside, 80 that he could not
read it's expression.
He was graver and more silent than
usual. and ate with scarcely an appear
ance Of appetite.
"Come home early, DEAR" said Mrs.
Whitman, as she walked to the door with
her husband, after dinner.
care you impatient to have me admire
your new silk dress ?" he replied, with a
faint effort to smile.
"Yes. It will be something splen-
did," she answered. ... ..
He turned off from her quickly, and
left the house. A few moments she
stood, with q thoughtful face, her mind
indrawn, and her whole manner com
pletely changed. Then she went to her
room, and commenced dressing to 60 out.
Two hours later, and We find her in a
jewelry store.
"Can say word to you?" She ad-
dressed herself to the owner of the store,
who knew her very we'll.
"Certainly," he replied, and they
moved to the lower end of the long show
cases.
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pocket
lady's watch and chain, and laying
them on the showcase, said, at the same
time holding out the bill she had taken
from the envelope addressed to her hus-
band:
81 cannot afford to wear this watch
my husbands circumstances are too
limited. I.tell you 80 frankly. 1t should
never have been purchased but too
indulgent husband yielded to the impor-
tunities of foolish young wife. I say
this to take blame from him. Now, sir,
meet the case, if you can do 80 in fair
ness to yourself. Take back the watch,
and say how much I shall pay you be-
1ue JoWeloi utoPPoo LILO ofoo w ehAuh'
The case took him little by surprise.
He stood for nearly a minute then
taking the bill and watch, he said :
"Wait moment" and went to a desk
near by.
"Will that do ?" He had come forward
again, and now presented her with the
receipted bill. His face wore pleased
expression.
"How much shall I pay you?" asked
Mrs. Whitman, drawing out her pocket
book.
"Nothing. The watch is not de-
faced" ...t.. .gt
"You have done kind act, sir, said
Mrs. Whitman, with feeling trembling
along her voice. 81 hope you will not
think unfavorably of my husband. It's
no fault of his that the bill has not been
paid. Good-morning, SIR"
Mrs. Whitman drew her veil over her
face, and went, with light steps and o
light heart, from the store. The pleas
ure she had experienced on receiving
her watch was not to be compared with
that now felt in parting with it. From