Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-09-04

went, realizing It's Worst features III ues-
pair until voice out in the kitchen said,
s.Bettyw and heavy footsteps proclaimed
that someone was on the point OF break
inc in upon her unlimited.
Betty sprang up, choked 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
twelvemonth previous, Miss Elvira
Simmons had made the very most of her
opportunities, and by dint of making
great parade over helping her in some
domestic work, such as house-cleaning,
dressmaking, and the like, the lady
maiden had managed to ply her other
vocation, that of news-gatherer, at one
and the same time, pretty efectually.
She always called her by her first
name, though Betty idly resented it,
and she made great handle of her
friendship on every occasion, making
John rage violently, and VOW thousand
times the sold maid should walk!
But she never had, and now, seeming
dimly. like carrion after its prey, that
trouble might have come to the pretty
little white house, the make-mischief
had come to do her work, if devastation
had really commenced.
'.Been crying?" she said, more plain
ly 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 fear
fully. '.Only folks do say that you and
your husband don't live happy-but la!
I wouldn't mind-I know faint your
fault" r.s
Betty's heart stood still. Had it come
to thisi John and she not to live hap
PLY! To be sure they didn't, as she re-
membered with 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
60 on.
cam I tell folks So" she said, rocking
herself back and forth to witness the eff
feet of her words, "when they get to
talkin', SO you can't blame me, and i. II
things don't 90 easy for you, I'm sure!'
"You tell folks sor' repeated Betty,
vaguely, and standing quite still.
''WhatP don't understand.
..Why, the blame is all his'n," cried
the old maid, exasperated at her strange
mood and her dullness, 81 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 queer man he is, how cross,
| an
sAnd you dare to tell people such
things of my husband?'' cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST
height, and towering so over the old
woman in the chair, that, as she jumped
in confusion at the storm she had raised,
and stared blndly into the blazing eyes
and face, rosy with righteous indiggna-
ton, 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
husbandr' cried Betty, dwelling with
pride on the pronoun-at least, II they
were to part, she would say it over low
ingly as much as she could till the last
moment; and then, when the time did
come, why, people should know that it
wasn't Johns fault-''the best, the
kindest, the noblest husband that was
ever given to awoman. I've made him
more trouble than you can guess; my
hot temper has vexed him-rve been
cross, impatient, and"
s.Hold!' cried voice, ''you are talk
ing 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, before
old maid and all. % il1o
a"Ohr' said Miss Simmons, sitting up
straight and setting her spectacles more
| firmly. I'D IL .. ~ :,
"And, now that you have learned all
that YOU can" said John, turning
around to her, still holding Betty, "why
you may go!' :. "a. =
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
afterward, "what was that sigh for?
I don't care now, but did think, dear
and it cut me to the heart, how you
might have married richer. 1 longed
to put ten times ten in your hand, Betty,
and it CALLED me because I couldn't"
Betty smiled and twisted away from
his grasp. Running into the bedroom,
she presently returned, still smiling,
with bundle rolled up in clean
| towel.
This she put on her husbands knee,
who stared at her wonderingly.
81 didn't mean" she said, unpinning
the bundle, ''to let it out now, but l
shall have to. Why, John, day after
tomorrow is your birthdayr'
$50 It's" said John. Gracious! has
it come around so soon?''
..And you, dear boy,'' said Betty,
shaking out before his eyes pretty
brown affair, all edged with silk of the
bluest shade, that presently assumed the
proportions of dressing gown this
is to be your present. But you must be
dreadfully surprised, John, when you
get it, for oh! I didn't want you to
| know" ia9
John nade tho answer he Thought