Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-08-19

How long she stayed there, crOucned
down on the old sofa, she never knew.
Over the dreadful scene she went,
realizing its worst features each time in
despair, until voice out in the kitchen
said: Betty" and heavy footsteps
proclaimed that some one was on the
point of breaking in upon her unlimited.
Betty sprang up, choked, back her
sObs, and tried with all her might to
compose herself and remove all traces
of her trouble.
The visitor was the worst possible one
she could have under the circumstan-
ces Crowding herself on terms of the
closest intimacy with the pretty bride,
who, with her husband, had moved into
the village tWelvemOnth previous,
Miss Elvira Simmons had made the
very most of her opportunities, and by
dint of making great parade over help
ing her in some domestic work, such
as housekeeping, dress-making and
the like, the maiden lady had managed
to ply her other vocation, that of news
gathcrer. at one and the same time.
pretty etfectualy.
She always called her by her first
name, though Betty inwardly resented
it and she made Il great handle of
her friendship on every occasion,
making John rage violently, and VOW
thousand times the cold maid -
should walk
But she never had-and now, scent
ing dimly, like carrion alter It's prey,
that trouble might come to the pretty
little white house, the make-mischief
had come to do her work, if devasta-
ton had really commenced.
"Been crying" she said, more plain
~ than politely, and sinking down into
the pretty chintz-cOvered rocking chair
with an energy that showed she meant
to stay, and made the chair crack fear
fully Only folks do say that you and
your husband don't live happy-but
Ia | wouldn't mind know faint
your fault"
Betty's heart stood still Had it
come to this John and she not to
live happily! TO be sure they didn't,
as she remembered with pang the
dreadful scene of words and hot tenn
pers but had it gotten around so soon
"A story in everybOdy's mouth
With all her distress of mind she
was saved from opening her mouth
SO Miss Simmons, failing in that, was
forced 10 90 on.
AN [ tell folks so, she said, rock
ing herself back and forth to witness
the effect of her words, "when they
git talllin' SO you can't blame me,
if things don't go easy for you, I'm
sure"
you tell folks SOP" repeated Betty
vaguely, and standing quite still.
"What? | don't understand"
''Why, that the blame is all his'n,"
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood and her dizziness. Il
say, says |, why there couldn't no one
live with him, let alone that pretty wife
he's got That's what | say, Betty.
And then [ tell 'em what queer man
he is, how cross, am"
"And you dare to tell people such
things of my husbands" cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST
height, and towering so over the old
woman in the chair, that as she jumped
in confusion ut the storm she had
raised, and stared blindly into the blaz-
ing eyes and face rosy with righteous
Indignation, her only thought was how
to get away from the storm she had
raised, but could not stop. But she
was forced to stay, for Betty stood just
in front of the chair, and blocked up
the way, so she sunk back into the
SMALLEST cornor of it, and took it as
best she could. "My husbands cried
Betty, dwelling with pride on the pro-
noun-at least, if they were to part, she
would say it over lovingly as much as
could till the last moment; and then,
when the time did not come, why peo-
pie should know that it wasn't Johns
fault-'the best, the kindest, the no.
blest husband that was ever given to Il
woman. I've made him more trouble
than you can guess: my hot temper has
vcxed him-Tve been cross, impatient,
and"
Hold" cried voice; you're talk
ing against my wife!" and in a moment
big John Peabody rushed through the
door, grasped the little woman III his
arms, and folded her to his heart, right
before old maid and all.
ooh !" said Miss Simmons, sitting up
straight, and setting her spectacles
more firmly.
'And, now that you've learned all
that you can" said John, turning round
to her, still holding Betty, ''why
you may go y
The chair was vacant. A dissolving
view through the door was all that was
to be seen of the gossip, who started up
the road hurriedly, leaving peace be
hind.
Betty" said John, some half hour
afterward. What was the sigh for? [
don't care now, but | did think, dear,
and it cut me to the heart, how you
might have married richer. | longed
TO put ten times ten into your hand
Betty, and it. CALLED me because [
couldn't"
Betty smiled, and twisted away
from his grasp. Running to the bed
room, she presently returned still
smiling, with bundle rolled up in a
clean towel.
This she put on her husbands knee,
who stared at her wonderingly.
II didT't mean" she said, unpinning
the bundle ito let it out now, but |
shall have to. Why, John, day after
tomorrow is your birthday :"
80 It's. said John Gracious. has it
come around so soonr'
"And you, dear boy" said Betty,
shaking out before his eyes Il pretty
brown affair, all edged with silk of the
bluest shade, that presently assumed
the proportions of dressing gown
this is to be your present. But you
must be greatly surprised, John when
you get it, for oh! | didn't want you to
know"