Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-05-14
StletteS Storp.
THE GAMBLERS WIFE.

Nv nat IS this thing that 1 hear Annie
call Irritation. Marie ? 1t really seem to
me you ought to put stop to it. think
it is unwomanly-sud worse"
Nonsense. Classy Annie means nc
harm. All young people 'Airr nova
days. 1t ism. as easy to marry girls IS it
was when you were young. They have
got 70 take some risks now
81 do not believe il. True love is the
same:,o-day ihat /; was a thousand.years
ago. Besides. Annie has ore honest low
er. Robert Wsico,t needed no prelim-
mary 'Airsation.' and don's believe be
would approve of these s,ree, admirers
Annie smiles upon"
Just here Annie entered, her brown
silk setting od admirably the delicately-
tinted isce.
She was bright, lovely girl, full oI
healthy animal life, but also blesi or curss,
with those dreamy, retrospective eyes
which generally indicate a love for senti.
mental romance.
Where are you going, Annie" ?"
"To the opera. Somebody sent me 8
ticket, and somebody will be sure 10
have the mex, chair, so am in TOR good
time"
Somebody ought to have come for
you. Young ladies, especially engaged
young ladies, ,ougb. not to make appoint
ments, even for the opera
"Oh. you dear old fashioned auutie
How could Somebody &C me when / tod
him not? And, as for being engaged.
what good is Robert away in the country
Good-byew
Mrs. Martyr looked anxiously after
her daughter. but Annie'S smile reassuret
her. and she went back to ber room, re-
fectiug that Annie was really no worse
than other girls. and that she certainly
meant DO harm.
But this Somebody" troubled her al
the evening, and she determined 10 have
= chat with her daughter as soon as pos
sible about him.
Meanwhile Annie mad arrived at the
opera, and found. as she anticipated
Somebody waiting for her.
ANY woman of experience woald have
trembled for the young girl under the in
fuence OF those cruel, luminous eyes
and that cold, handsome face.
This evening he was particularly
charming, and when thev parted at The
street corner. near Annie's home, she le,
in the handsome unknown's keeping
great deal that she had already promised
10 far better man.
She was 50 disirsught and full o
though. that Mrs. Martyr could not avoiC
noticing il. and when Anoie went to he
own room she followed her there, deter
mined to have the affair out.
annie" she said. 'sil down little
/ want to tell you that don't like thi
affair al the opera. Robert is very pc
culiar young mao; do you think be woui'
like this Mr.-Mr.-'
"Gouzales. mamma
This Mr.. Gonzales attentions t.
you ?"
"Of course he would not. But b.
knows nothing abOu. Paul Gonzales
thank goodness -
81 would not 90 any more with him;
have 81 unhappy feeling about H.
But Annie was rebeliOus, and Mrs
Martyr spoke 10 her husband. and h'
STAYED i've minutes from his bnsipe 8
next morning to say some very pan
words to Annie.
They were unwise words, unwiselI
spoken, and only changed the open "h'rI
alton" into 8 secret intrigue.
Aunt Classy watched the girl anxiously
Though an old maid she had had be
own little tragedy, and she lOnged to ge
Annies confidence, and help her over tt'
dangerous ground dividing girlhood an
wifehood.
But Annie resented all interference
with her real loye-sffair. and treated ne
engagement with Robert with freedom
quite pitiful in her sunt's eyes.