Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-08-26
A Lesson, and HOV Two Learned 1t.

Betty sighed. Now why she should
have sighed at this particular moment
no one on earth could tell. And it was
all the more exasperating because John
had just generously put into her little,
shapely hand brand-new ten-dollaI
bill. And here began the trouble.
Whats the mattera" he said, his
face falling at the faint sound, and his
mouth clapping together in what those
who knew him but little called an
obstinate pucker"-" what is
itp"
Betty, who had just begun to change
the sigh into merry little laugh rip
ping all over the corners of the red
lips, stopped suddenly, tossed her head,
and with small jerk, no ways concili-
ating, sent out the words: " You needn't
insinuate that I'm always troublesomeP'
didn't insinuate-who's talking of
insinuatingP" cried John. thoroughly
incensed at the very idea, and, backing
away few steps. he glared down from
his tremendous height in extreme irri-
tationi "It's you yourself that's for
ever insinuating, and all that, and then
toput it on to me-it's abominablep
The voice was harsh, and the eyes
that looked down into hers were not
pleasant to 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 its
utmost dimensions. Forever insinu-
ating! / guess you wouldn't have said
that before l married you'll oh, now
you can, of coursel"
Didn't you say it first, I'd like to
knowa" cried John in great excitement,
drawing nearer to the small creature he
called wife," who was gazing at him
with blazing eyes OF Indignation; "I
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 they were in the midst of a
quarreli These two but year before
bad promised to love and protect and
help each other through life.
Now" said John, and he brought
his hard down with such bang on the
table before him that Betty nearly
skipped out of her little shoes, only she
controlled the start, for she would have
died before she had let John see it,
well have no more of this nonsense ~
His face was very pale, and the lines
around the mouth so drawn that 1t
would have gone to any ones heart 10
have seen their expression.
81 don't know how you will change
it or help it," said Betty, lightly, TO
conceal her dismay at the turn affairs
had taken, I'm 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 OF dis
heartened, and called her "child."
Her gesture struck to his heart as he
glanced at her sunny hair and the cool,
indl rent "a" rnderDeath, and before
he knew it he was sa SIng: There ID no
help for 1t now, l suppose"
"Oh, yes, there is" said Betty, still
in the cool, calm way that ought not TO
have deceived him. But men know 30
little Of women's hearts, although they
may live with them for years in closest
friendship. "You needn't try to endure
It, John Peabody, II you don't want to.
I'm sure don't care I"
What do you mean ~ Her husband
grasped her arms and compelled the
merry brown eyes to look up to him.
" ] can go back to: mother's,n aaid
Betty. provokingly. "she wants me
any day, and then you can live quietly
and live to suit yourself. and Il will be
better all around"
Instead of bringing out violent pro.
testation Of fond affection and remorse.
which size iulls expected, John drew
hlmself up. looked at her llxedly for n
long. long minute, then dropped her