The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-09-10

her rosy ears to shut out the birds
chirping.
eff he knew why I snif1ed," she
moaned. sob, my husbandl Birthdays
nothing will make any difference now.
Oh, why car. die?'
How lcn6 sne stayed there, crouched
down on tae old sofa, she never knew.
Over and over the dreadful scene she
went. realizing it's worst features each
time in despair, until a voice out in the
kitchen said:
"Bettyr' and heavy footsteps pro-
claimed that some one was on the point
of breaking in upon her unlimited.
Betty sprang up, checked 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 circumstances.
Crowding herself on terms of the closest
intimacy with the pretty bride, who with
her husband had moved into the village
previous, Miss Elvira Simmons had
made the very most of her opportunities,
and by dint of making great parade oveL.
helping her in some domestic work, such
as housecleaning, dressmaking, and the
like, the maiden lady had managed to
ply her other vocation, that of news
gatherer, at one and the same time pretty
effectually.
She always called her by her first
name, though Betty inwardly resented
it; and she MADE great handle of her
friendship on every occasion, making
John rage violently, and vow thousand
times the .'old maid should walk!
But she never had-and now, scenting
dimly, like carrion after it's prey, that
trouble might come to the pretty little
white house, the make-mischief bad
come to do her work, as if devastation had
really commenced.
''Been crying?" she said, more plainly
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 creak fearfully.
''Only folks do say that you and your
husband don't live happily-but la! I
wouldn't mind-I know faint your
fault
Betty's heart stood still. Had it come
this! John and she not to live happily!
To be sure they didn't, as she remember
ed with a pang the dreadful scene of
words and hot tempers; 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 to
go on.
.sAn'I tell folks, she said, rocking
herself back and forth to witness the eff
feet of he words; ''when they git to
talkin', so you can't blame me if things
don't go easy for you, I'm sure"
You tell folks so?" repeated Betty
vaguely and standing quite still. "What?
I don't understand.
:Why. that the blame is all his'n, !"
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood and her dullness. ST
say, says I, 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 a queer man he is,
how cross, an
'sAnd you dare to tell people such
things of my husband p cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST
woman in the chair, that as she jumped
in confusion at the storm she had raised,
and stared blindly into the blazing 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 skunk
back into the smallest corner of it, and
took it as best she could. my husband!"
cried Betty, dwelling with pride on the
pronoun-at least. if they were to part,
she would say it over lovingly as much
as she could till the last moment; and
then, when the time did come, why peo-
pie should know that it wasn't Johns
fault-s'the best, the kindest, the noblest
husband that was ever given to woman.
I've made him more trouble than you
can guess; my hot temper has vexed
him, I've been cross, impatient, and"
Hold cried voice; you're talking
against my wife!" and in moment big
John Peabody rushed through the door,
grasped the little woman in his arms and
folded her to his heart, right before old
maid and ALL
"Ohr' said Miss Simmons, sitting up
and setting her spectacles more
firmly.
.And now that you have learned all
that you can" said John, turning round
to her; still holding Betty, "why-you
may goP'
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 af-
terward, "what was the sigh for? I don't |
care now, but did think. dear, and it cut |
me to the heart, how you might have |
married richer. I 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 into the bedroom,
she presently returned, still smiling,
with a bundle rolled up in clean towel |
This she put on her husbands knee, |
who started at her wonderingly.
i didn't mean," she said, unpinning |
The bundle ssto let it out now, but / shall |
have to. Why, John, day after tomorrow
is your birthday
$50 'tisl' said John. ssGraciousl has |
it come round so soon?"
'sAnd you, dear boy" said Betty,
shaking out before him a pretty brown |
affair, all edged with silk of the blucst |
shade, that presently assumed the pro-
portions of a dressing gown, 'sthis is to |
be your present. But you must be dread |
fully surprised, John, when you get it,
for oh! didn't want you to knowP'
John made the answer he thought best.
When he spoke again, he said, perplex-
edly, while small pucker of bewilder-
ment settled between his eyes: 1sBut I |
don't see, Betty, what this thing" laying
one finger on the gown, '.had to do with |