Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-12-04
DISENCHANTED.
An Interesting Domestic Story.

ed, and the silver crystal, the goio
band china and the snowy nap
kins, the white table-cloth and
the dainty little feastspread there
on, the CHEEKY fire in the CRATE,
the crimson carpet, the flowing
drapery, pictures and flowers,
Aud pretty little Mrs. Norton
sitting beside the urn, as fair and
lovely a two year matron as ever
smiled over table at her lord and
master.
He was a fine looking fellow,
too, that husband of hers, and it
was very evident that there was
no lack of warm affection between
them, for all the subject of CONVEX
sation was one of very decided
opinion at least on Mrs. Norton's
part.
Just now she sugared and
creamed Mr.. Norton's second cup
of coffee, and handed it toward
him with a little indignant re-
mark
"But it's too bad, Frank, and |
believe you think so as much as |
do.n
And she looked suspiciously as
if lhere were tears in her pretty
eyes.
"Indeed, l think it's just as bad
as it can be--bad enough for us,
but a thousand times worse for
Uncle Tom"
ut is ridiculous The idea of
falling in love at this time Of life;
but more than ridiculous in fall
ing in love with such creature as
Aura Vane! To think, after he
has made his home with US ever
since we were married, and we
have humored him in every pos
sible way, and the sacrifices /
have made to please him-to
think he should 80 absurdly go to
work and allow himself to be en-
trapped by Aura!"
Frank laughed at Lottie'5 en-
phatic remarks.
"We mustn't forget that ofcourse
the old gentleman has a perfect
right to do as he pleaseS with his
own, my dear. His being sixty
wears old does not preclude him
from even marrying Miss Vane,
if he chooses to-"
Lottie looked very earnest in
deed as she answered;
81 know all that; but why can't
Uncle Tom see her as she is, as
everybody else sees her? She's
forty if she's day."
He interrupted her with little,
tormenting laugh.
"a very suitable age, you must
admit, for him, Lottie.'
"Frank Norton! How can you,
when you know as we'll as do
that it is only Uncle Toms money
she is after? And to think he
promised to leave it all to baby if
we'd name him after him, and l
wanted the little darling called
Roland so badly, instead of Tom
myn Oh, Frank, you never Will
know what sacrifice l made!
And I'll change baby's name-yes
l will-if Uncle Tom marries that
horrid old thing, who never had a
beau or an offer in her life How
she ever contrived 10 trap him,
I'd like to know"
Two bright little red spots were
flaming in her cheeks, and despite
the passionate bitterness of her
protest, Mr.. Norton realized there
was a great deal of righteous
truth ia it, and he was looking
grave and thoughtful, just as the
front door was opened, and in a
minute or two Uncle Tom himself
came in.
81 am sorry to have been so
late to nner, my dear" he said,
briskly, with smile toward Lot
tie; ''but | have been out driving
in the Park with Miss Vane, and
really it was dusk before l knew
it,"
Somehow Mrs, Norton glanced
at her husband as she turned the
urn, Just in time to catch the
quick g.ance of caution he sent
her.
All unconscious of the storm
that was about his head-tnat do
mestic low barometer and high
temperature that was none the
less existent because the old gen
tleman was not aware Of it-Uncle
Tom went comfortably on with
his cold roast chicken, slipping his
coffee leisurely between whites.
"Are you personally acquainted
with Miss Vane, my dear % he
said after dilating upon the beau
ty OF the park in its autumn
dress.
And then Lottie purposely
avoided her lords eyes, where she
knew full well would be another
stationary signal.
mot at all intimately, Uncle