Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-05-14

enough when the old place went INTO
hands. But situation was situation,
so she. stayed on.
.Yes. said she. s'Mr. and Mrs. George
Howard.''
/ Hettie gave such start that the kettle
(. had nearly tipped over into the fire.
/ "Howard!' cried she with little hyste-
rical laugh. sWhat a funny name.'
! Handsome, stylish people, with more
money to all appearances than they know
what to do with, went on Mrs. Allison.
II Just wish you could see her dresses and
jewels. Stephanie, the French maid,
showed them to me when she was unpack-
ing 'em.'
Hettie said nothing. but stirred busily
while the old housekeeper talked on about
the wealth and grandeur of the new pos
SCISSORS of Hadley Hall. And all this might
have been hers.
ssWhen shall send after the laces?''
! Mrs. Allison finally asked when she rose
ito depart.
I'm take them home myself about
dusk" said Hettie, inwardly resolving to
get glimpse into this Paradise which had
SO nearly been her own.
And so at twilight. with the daintily
ironed and fiuted laces in her basket, she
walked up to Hadley Hall
| How stately it looked with its broad col
lonaded facade all glittering with lights;
! its grand conservatory at the back and it's
terraced windows. Oh, if she had only
said ''yes" to George Howard eleven years
ago.
"Hush!' said Hettie. as Mrs. Allison
with some prida pointed out the various
beauties of the place. what is that noise
like woman crying? 1t is in the next
room, Think
Mrs. Allisen's face clouded over.
''It's poor Mrs. Howard, dear said she.
1.-The masters brute, he's been drinking
too -Mademoiselle Stephanie says
he always drinks too much-and he struck
her Oh, dear, she's wretched in spite of
all her money"
elias she no children?" Hettie softly
asked.
''She had two but she lost em BOTH
Mademoiselle Stephanie says she often
cries and wishes she we're dead too. And
I don't wonder much with such husband.
Hush, here he comes now"
And shrinking behind group of italian
marble statuary the two women watched
George Howard stalk gloomily by, with
red, inflamed eyes, sullen face and I'm.
steady steps,
Hettie Wynn then returned home, thank
ing God in her heart that she was a poor
mans wife.
ssHave you heard of the accident?'
asked old Peter who was standing out at
his gate as she hurried by in the deepening
dusk.
''No; what accident? What has hap
)pened?"
.sThat house that your husband wal
workin' on has all fell in. All a heap o
ruins Something wrong about the foun
daticn, they say, aud"
ooh. my Godl'' wildly interrupted Het
tie, clasping her hands. "Was he hurt
my husband?"
WELL" said old Peter, "there we're two
men killed and one had his arm broke
l butt
{ She waited to hear no more. Swiftly sh'
s sped homeward, horrible dread winginl
e her feet with almost incredible speed. Oh
e if John was killed-if her children wer
fatherless.
t sJohnl John!'' she walled, as she threy
' open the door and rushed breathless int
the kitchen.
s'Well, little woman, what is ltT'
And-oh, thanks to all merciful heavel
i, John Wynn turned his bright, Twin
). face towards her from the hearthsid
where he was sitting with child on eth
. er knee.
t 81 know what is in your dumb, ques
Il tioning eyes, Hettie. am not hurt, than
|. God. had just gone for another lot
d nails when the building fell. No, ne
1t you'll not get rid of me quite SO easy"
a Hettie threw herself sobbing into he
husbands arms.
} "Oh, John, love me. Hold me close
your heart. I've been repining and selfsf
g I've never been half good enough to yol
If but I'll be a better woman and a MOI
faithful wife from this night hencefo
IS ward"
y And then she told him the history of he
ID days adventures.
ssIt's natural enough, little wife, sal
a. John, kindly stroking her hair. 'But f(
ID all that I'm glad you've realized tls
money isn't always happiness"
le And more contented couple than job
Ks Wynn and his Hettie never sat by cheer
to Preside upon that bleak November evel
IN ing. Hettie had profited by her lesson.
a
LIVING IN Qu1ET.-A rule for Twin