Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-12-20

the wearing vexations of her whims and
caprices.
Great tears rolled down her cheeks as
she bitterly reproached herself. g e
al have made him believe don't
care for anything but money she
thought. He leaves me this to con-
sole me for his absence. Oh, Ernest,
come home again, and I'll wear calico
and sun-bonpet to church before I'll
tease you for 6nery again =
It was not an easy task to 60 to din
ner and meet Aunt Cordelia, but it
must be done s.
1t was no new thing for that worthy
spinster to see Myra in tears when Ern-
est was away on business SO she only
expressed desire to see "any man
alive she'd cry for and said no more
about the little wife's red eyes.
The days passed very wearily.
Aunt Cordelia preached only sermons
to Myra about extravaganza and various
other feminine weakness, till the poor
little woman wished she was as homely
and ill-clad as the tormentor herself.
"You never see me with such dress
in the house as that" the spinster
would say, with complacent glance at
her dyed shirts.
Il buy my clothes to wear" Myra
retorted. ''If | had as much money as
you, Aunt Cordelia, I'd be ashamed to
90 about the house in such dresses"
And the spinster would shake her
head and groan, audibly plying "poor
dear Ernest"
You never see me-" was ever her
opening address.
And Myra grew to hate the words, in
the long months of her enforced COM
panionship.
For Ernest did not return.
Spring, summer, autumn passed away
and December was opening, yet still he
did not come.
Every month formal letter reached
Myra, enclosing a check for her ex-
penses of such liberal value as proved
Ernest was making money; but each
one informed her that her husband was
just leaving the place from which he
wrote, and made no mention of his next
destination
Heart-sick, penitent, and oh so lone
| ly. the little wife spent only what was
necessary for the house, and fairly
loathed the sight of the money that was
ac,umulating in her hands.
Letter after letter was written and
destroyed, not knowing where to direct
them.
She was growing so pale and worn,
so quiet and subdued. that Aunt Corde-
las most hateful speeches went often
unanswered.
She was sitting in the drawing-room
one cold December morning, when Mr..
Agnew, Ernest's employer, came in.
"l'm sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Ma
ther," he said; 'but | wish to inquire
if you have heard from Ernest this
week"
mot since the first" she replied.
"He wrote to us on the fifth that he
would remain in Cumberland until the
first day of the year, and was to send
some papers on the seventh. These
have not come, and we are embarrassed
for want of them. telegraphed yes
tcrday, but have no reply. However
if you have not heard he is ill, he ii
probably better"
"Ill she faltered.
"Well, | judged from his last tha
he had not fully recovered from thu
fever he had, although he resumed bust
ness. If you hear to-day, will you b.
kind enough to send US word ?"
Certainly" Myra managed to gasp
in a choked voice; and Mr.. Agney
left.
"Ill fever! Sick at hotel, ant
she not near! Ernest, her Ernest u
All the love in the little woman
, heart rose in protest. She astonishe'
, Aunt Cordelia by dashing into tn
lady's room, crying.
Take care of the house! I'm goin
to Cumberland !" and dashed out agai
as abruptly.
, The trunk was packed.
, Myra never knew what went into it.
She huggcd her hoard of money.
, She cried and laughed, and acte
5 generally like lunatic.
The afternoon found her seated in a
express train, rushing TO Ernest as fas
e as steam could carry her.
r In wide pleasant room, Ernest MI
ther lay upon his bed dangerously ill.
: He had been for months trying
quiet his sick, restless heart by owe
S working his body. keeping such bus
: ness hours, such stress and labor in b
< work, that the firm at home never cea
), ed congratulating themselves upon the
= choice of traveller.
it He made money fast, supplying Myl
j