Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-11-10
WHOSE FAULT.

Fred Dayton assisted his wife's cou.
sin, Jenny Searles. into the carriage
that was waiting for her at the station.
She had been his wife's bridesmaid,
and he sighed as he looked i'll her smil-
ing face.
1t was three years since that so-called
happy event occurred, but though she
was trife more staid and dignifed, she
had the same happy smile, neat, trim ap-
pearance that he so we'll remembered.
You will find Fanny a good deal al
tered" he said, as he took a seat by
her side.
Jenny cas- a somewhat surprised
glance at the grave face of the speaker.
tWhy, how? Has she been i'll?
"Well, no! can't say that she has
been i'll, was the hesitating reply; "but
she-she's changed. Marriage don't
seem to have agreed with her very
we'll"
The laugh that ended these words
sounded rather forced. Perhaps he felt
the implication conveyed by them; or,
rather, the fact itself.
Jenny looked earnestly into the frank,
kindly face of the speaker.
Was it his fault?-for there must be a
fault somewhere.
The house, as the carriage stopped in
front of it, looked as if it was all shut
up.
If Jenny had expected to see her cou-
sin in the hall she was diss ?pointed.
Fred looked slightly disconnected as
he glanced around.
" Fanny's in her room, 1 suppose; I'll
hunt her up"
"Ah! there you are, Fan"
Here dowdily dressed woman made
her appearance at the other end of the
hall, whom Jenny would have failed to
recognize had it not been for the warm
embrace and eager greeting.
After leading the way to the dark and
rather untidy sitting-room, Fanny's an
imation all at once forsook her, and,
throwing herself upon the sofa, she
burst inth tears, much to Jenny's sur
prise and CONSERVATION.
"The sight of you reminds me so of
the happy past!" sighed Fanny, as she
wiped away her tears.
"And the present is no less happy,
L hope?" suggested Jenny, feeling for
her Cousins husband, who looked fool
ishly conscious that he was IN some way
considered to be at fault.
Fanny's only reply was a mournful
shake of the head, which, rightly inter-
preted, meant that she never expected
to be 50 happy again as long as she
lived.
Putting his hands in his pocket Fred
walked to the window, whistlng softly
to himself with an i'll dissembled air of
unconcern.
"H you knew how that noise goes
through my head, Fred!" demonstrated
Fanny, as she rang for Ann to take
away her cousins things.
Fred ceased whistling, taking him
self out of the room at the same time.
Fanny gave her cousin a look, as
much as to say, "You see what | have
to put mp with?"
AS soon as the door closed after her
husband Fanny's countenance lost its
disconsolate, abused expression, and she
commenced talking with her visitor with
spirit and animation.
Jenny now had an opportunity to OBJ
serve her more particularly.
It was nearly dinner-time, and still
she had on the calico wrapper that she
had worn at breakfast; not much sglea,
but still faded and wrinkled.
She wore neither cuffs nor collar,
while her pretty brown hair-pretty
when properly cared for-was smoothed
over the top and tucked back of her ears
In tangled punches.
Her feet were thrust into pair of old
slippers, much too large for her and
down at the heels.
AS Jenny looked at her she could
hardly believe that it was her cousin,
Fanny Burns, who always used to look
so fresh and neat, so smiling and happy.
From the habit of giving way to all
her peevish and discontented feelings as
hey arose, it seemed impossible for her
10 look pleasant now, when she tried
while her very voice, which used to have
such clear and cheerful ring, had be-
come infected by them.
In answering and asking questions the
time passed rapidly until it was nearly