River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-08-19
tLESSON. AND now TWO LEARNED
1T.

II.
Betty sighed Now why she should
have sighed at this particular moment,
no one on earth could tell. And it was
all the more cxasperating because John
had Just generously put into her little.
shapcly hand brand new ten-dollar
bill And here began the trouble.
whats the NATTER lie said, bis
face falling ut the faint sound, and
his mouth clapping togcther III what
those who knew him but little call
ed an obstinate puckeI now what'is
it,
Betty, who had just begun to change
the sigh into a merry little laugh rip
bling all over the corners OF the red
lips. stopped suddenly, tossed her head
and with a small jerk, no ways conciii-
ating. sent out the words, You needn't
insinuare that I'm always trouble
some"
Il didn't insinuate-who's talking
Of insinuating?' cried John, thoroughly
ncensed at the very idea and backing
away few steps, he glared down from
his tremendous height in extreme irrl-
tation It's YOU yourself that's for
ever imsinuating. and all that, and
then to put it ON 10 me-it's abonina-
BILE"
The voice was harsh, and the eyes
that looked into hers were not pleasant
10 behold
And if you think. John Peabody,
that I'll stand and have such things
said To me, you miss your guess-that's
ALI cried Betty, with two big red spots
coming in her cheeks as she tried TO
draw her little erect figure up to It's
utmost dimensions. Forever insinu-
ating! | guess you wouldn't have SAID
that before married on, Oh. now yog
can. of COURSE.
Didn't YOU say it first, d like To
know cried John in great excitement
drawing nearer to the small creature he
called wife who was gazing mt him
with blazing eyes Of Indignation; Il
can't endure everything.
"And If YOU bear more than do,
cried Betty. wholly beyond control
now, why then I'll give up and She
gave bitter little laugh and tossed
her head again.
And here there were in the midst
Of quarrel These two who but
wear before had promised to love and
protect and help each through life.
Now" said John, and he brought
his hand down with such bang on the
table before him that Betty nearly
skipped out If her little shoes, only she
controlled the start, for 81 would have
died before She had let John see it,
well have no more of this nonsense
His face was very pale, and lines around
the mouth 50 drawn that it would have
gone to any ones heart to have seen
their expression.
Il don't know how YOU will change it
or help it." said Betty, lightly, to con
ceal her dismay ut the turn affairs had
taken. Pm sure" and she pushed
back. with Saucy, Indifferent gesture,
the light waving hair from her fore
head.
That hair that John always smoothed
when he petted her when tired or dis
heartened, and called her 'chlldlc.
Her gesture struck to his heart as he
glanced ut her sunny hair and the cool,
indifferent face underneath, and before
he knew It he was saying; There Is
no help for It now, suppose.
"Oh, yes there is, said Betty, still IN
The cool. calm way that ought not to
have deceived him. But men know 50
little of women's hearts, although they
NAV live with them for years IN closest
friendship.
You needn't try to endure it, John
Peabody, if yon don't want to. I'm
sure don't care. =
what do YOU mean ~ Her hus
band grasped her arms and compelled
the merry brown ewes to look up to
him
II can 90 back to mothers, said
Betty provokingly. She wants me
any dav, and then YOU can live quietly
and live to suit Yourself, and it will be
better all lround.
Instead Of bringing out Il violent
proStestation of fond affection and re
morse, which She fully expected, John
drew himself up, looked at her tiNediy
for long, long minute, then dropped
her arm. and said through white lips,
very slowly
Yes. it may bc as you say better
all around You know best, and was
gone from the room before she could
recover from her astonishment enough
toutter q souud.
With wild crv Betty rushed across
the itllll, HIST tt~~ilt Allt ttAt-'A'f't'A i'A-
Savacclv as far as she could throw 1t.
and tinging herself on the comfortable
old sofa broke into flood of bitter
tearS-the first She had shed during her
married life.
How could he have done it-oh,
what have | said-oh John, john
The bird twittered in his little cage
over i'm the window among the plants.
Betty remembered like Il flash how John
filled the seed-cup that very morning.
how lie laughed when he tried to put
it between the bars and when She
tried To put II between the bars, and
when she couldn't reach without get
ting upon Il chair he took her in his
great arms. and held her up Just like Il
child. that She might fix II To suit her
self And the bits that he said in his
tender way. why they had gone down
to the depths other foolish little heart.
sending her about her work singing for
cry gladness Of spirit And now.
Betty stuffed her fingers hard into her
rosy ears is shut ont the birds chipping.
If he know VIII. | sighed. She
moaned "Oh, my husband Birth
days nothing will make any difference
now Oh. why can't die?'
How long She STAYED there, crouchcd
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 hen
sobS. and tried with all her migl to
compose herself and remove all traces
Of her trouble.
The visitor Was the worst possible one
She could have under the circumstan-
eeS Crowdiug herself ON terms of the
closest intimacy with the pretty bride,
who. with her husband. had moved into
the village Il twelvemonth previous
Miss Elvira simmons had made the
very most of her opportunities, and 10y
dint of making great parade over help
ing her in some domestic work, such
~ housekeeping. dreSs-making and
the like. the maiden lady had managed
10 ply her other vocation. that of news
gatherer, at one and the same time
pretty effectually.
She always called her 10y her first
name. though Betty inward'v resented
it and she made great handle q
her friendship ON every occasion