Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-06-14

menced to laugh as he looked at the coat
|she Redeemed and exclaimed
"What Is the matter with it 20
SIT is the ugliest thing 1 ever saw. I
don't know what makes it look So" Then
lanother roar of laughter.
s'Don't sit there and laugh like an idiot
If there is anything ridiculous about it
won't keep it; but you don't know any
thing about it, anyway"
"You certainly have the most extraordi-
nary taste, Madge. How did you ever de.
eide to buy thatl'
eff you will stop taking about it 1 will
be extremely obliged to you," cried Madge'
tearing off the abused garment and throw
it on the floor.
Then she rushed out of the room and
slammed the door. Absurd, was it uot?
So Madge thought, the moment the door
was closed; but she was ashamed to go
back, and Raymond would not come after
her.
The next day she was folding up the
jacket to send it back to the shop, and then
and there they made it up" Raymond
promised her that when he disliked any
thing she wore he would tell her so calmly,
and not laugh at her as if he was clown
at circus, and enjoyed it. But l cannot
say that they were very happy for the next
| few months. Madge, as / mentioned be-
fore, was quick-tempered, and, in her an
| fbipnc which q for
got the next moment. Her husband, how
ever, was not always able to forget her un-
kind speeches. His disposition was quite
different from hers, and many word spo-
ken by her in heat and forgotten immedi-
lately, ranked in his mind for days. Late
lily, too, Madge imagined she had another
cause for unhappiness. Raymond was a
lawyer. He had taken case for a very
handsome widow, aud Madge was foolish
enough to be jealous, and committed the
fatal mistake of letting her husband see
her uneasiness. Strange, what a fascina-
ton there is in imagining ourselves unhap-
ny.
All this time have left my young wo-
man at the window. Shall l tell you some
of the thoughts which are passing through
| her mind? They were something like this:
II believe I am the most miserable woman
that ever lived! We have been married
nearly year, and we seem to be just as
disagreeable to each other as possible. Ray
mond is so cold, and calm, and deliberate,
that merely for him to advance a PROPOSE
tion is enough for ne to oppose it; and
when I contradict him, instead of answer
ing me he closes his mouth with that set
look, know so we'll, and is extremely cool
to me for day or two, until he forgets it.
don't think he cares for me any more.
Oh, dear He will never forget what said
this morning, even if he forgives me. l
suppose we shall always be miserable now,
until one of us dies. Let me see; how did
il all come about this morning? had
letter from Charley Reeves. He had no
business to write to me; but he did, and
read it at the breakfast table. Raymond
said, very pleasantly, "Who is your letter
from?' 1 was afraid he would be angry
with me- so hesitated; but told him the
truth. I could not help the color rushing
into my face, though there was nothing to
blush about. did not tell my husband
what was in the letter, nor offer to show
it to him. He came to kiss me before go
ing Town town, and said ''Are you going
to answer your letter to-day ?" ''Perhaps
So" answered sullenly. Are you afraid
to trust me? If you forbid me, of course
shall not do it," The set look came over
his face as he said sit must be pleas
ure to you to say things WHICH are untrue.
Stop!'' as l tried to interrupt him, 'syou
must hear me out. You know perfectly
well that 1 have perfect confidence in you.
You cannot accuse me of watching you.
When you wish to make an unkind re-
mark you should choose a subject which
has some foundation in truth" [ sneered
Perhaps the reason you have such perfect
confidence in me, is because you no longer
care what I do. l thank you for your
trust. 1 shall try to deserve your good
opinion. wish 1 might have the same
faith in you." 'sYou have made my life
wretched lately ny such insinuations, my
husband said very sternly. "Now, want
you to explain yourself" turned upon
him with blazing face. II refuse tie ex-
plain myself. You have just called me
liar! Now let me inform you that hate
you! If you ever call me liar again |
will 60 away from you. wish l could go
now this moment!" My husband looked at
me for moment with an expression shall
never forget. 1 longed to tell him l did
not mean what said but, before l could
make up my mind to do it, he was gone
He used to be so good to me. There is no
one in this world as wretched as | am"
AS Madge reaches this conclusion the
clock strikes six; there's sharp ring at
the door-bell, and in walks her brother-in-
law.
"Why. George!" she exclaims, ''how are
your" But she stops, with outstretched
hand, as she gets glimpse or his face.
"What has happened2" she asks. "Alice
the children"
care all right" he answers, taking her
hand and stroking it caressingly. do not
be alarmed. Raymond was taken i'll IN
the office, and he wanted me to come and
tell you, so you would not be frightened
about him.
"What is it 2" she asks, with wide star
tied eyes. Ills it an accident Where is
hep want to 60 to him."
She starts toward the door, but her COM
panion ora sns her arm. eXclaiming "Y OH
must not go. They are bringing him
here"
uRr;no;no. hin, horot,, che cried s"Then