The Baltimore County union., 1881-11-05
WHOSE FAULT.

She had been his wife's bridesmaid. and he
sighed as be looked in her smiling face.
II was three years since that so.callcd happy
event occurred. but though she was a tribe more
staid aud diguiGcd. she had the same happy smile,
neat. trim appearance that he well bcred.
"you will find Fanny n good deal altered" he
said. as he took a seat by her side.
Jenny east somewha; surprised look at the
grave face Of the speaker.
"why, how! Has she been ill!'
"well. no. I can't say that she hae been ill.,"
was the hesitating reply "but she-she's chang
ed. Marriage don't seen. TO have agreed with her
very well.'
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 ii his faul,-for there must be fault
somewhere.'
The house, as the carriage stopped in front Of
IL, looked ~ IL Il was all shut up.
lfJenny had expected to see her cousin in the
hall she was disappointed.
Fred looked slightly disconnected as he glanced
around.
Fanny in her room. suppose; I'll hunt her
uP."
"Ah! there you are, Fan"
Here . dowdily- dressed woman made her ap-
pearancc nj the other end Of the hall, whom Jenny
would have failed 10 recognize had IL no, been for
After leading the way to the dark aud rather
untidy sitting room, Fannys animation all at once
forsook her. and, throwing herself upon the sofa.
she burst into tears, much toJenny's surprise and
eonsternation.
"The sigh; Of you remind. me so of the happy
past" sighed Fanny, as she wiped away her
tears.
"And the present is no less happy. I hope,"
suggested Jenny, feeling for her cousin husba nd
who looked foolishly conscious that he was in some
way considered TO be at fault.
Fanny's only reply was smournful shake Of the
head. which. rightly interpreted. meant that she
never expected TO be so happy again u. long as
she lived.
Putting his hands In his pocket Fred walked To-
the window. whistling softly 10 himself with III
dissembled air Of uneoncern.
"If you knew how that noise goes through my
bead, Fred :" demonstrated Fanny. as she rang for
Ann 20 take away her cousins things.
Fred ceased whi,tling. taking himself GU, Of the
room at the same time.
Fanny gave her cousin n look, as much as tn
say. "You see what have to put up with -
As soon as the door closed amer her husband.
Fanny's countenanec lost its diseonsoiatc abused
expression, and she commenced talking with her
visitor with considerable spirit aud animation.
Jenny now had an opportunity TO observe her
more particularly.
Il was nearly dinner time. and still she had On
the calico wrapper that she had worn at breakfast
not much soiled. but .till faded and wrinkled.
She wore neither cuffs nor collar, while her pref.
~ brown hair-pretty when properly cared for
was snoothed over the top and tucked bacE of her
ears In tangled bunches.
Her feet were thrust into a pair of old slippers.
much too large for her, aud down at the heels.
IA Jenny looked at her she could hardly believe
that Il was her cousin, Fanny Burns, who always
used 10 look so fresh and neat, 50 smiling and
happy.
Prom the habit Of giving way to all her peevish
and diseontented feelings as they arose. u seemed
impossible for her 20 look pleasant now, when she
| tried while her very voice. which used 60 have
such clear and cheerful ring had become infected
BY them.
In answering and asking questions the time
passed rapidly until II was nearly time for dinner.
81 had no idea u was near dinner time" said
Jenny, rising TO her feet. rs she glanced at her
watch. 81 shall hardly give you time TO dress
'0h, shant make any change In my dress
thsre'll be nobody but my husband at dinner, and
you won't mind
"No. certainly, I shant mind
There was more than this on Jenny's lips. but
| she checked herself.
This was not the right time to speak, even II
she had any right to speak at all.
There could scarcely be y greater contrast than
those two presented at the dinner table. both Of
| nearly the same age, and both endowed with more
than usual personal attractions.
AZ the time Of her marriage, Fanny had been
called the prettier bat II vas quite the contrary
nov. and all the difference lay In the dress and ex-
preston.
Not tha, Jennys attire was either gay or sx.
pensive.
The dress was \ simple merino. simply made
and trimmed, but Il 6tted neatly the neat waist Of
the weares. The cuffs aud collar were white and
fresh, with knot Of bright ribbons a, her throat
On the contrary, Fanny wore the same faded,
iil-htting dress Of the morning, with the addition
If addition Il could be eailed-ofa hall.
collar. pinned away aud fastened with bunch Of
| very dingy ribbon.
II Vas Impossible for Fred not to notice the dif.
ference, and making mental comment on Il no,
| very aattering 10 the wife Of his choice.
The contrast was too marked 20 escape her no.
tice, though it was easy 20 SEQ that she aseribed
| the change 10 their different conditions.
"Ah, you won't think It's worth while 10 fuss "a
much AFTER you're married, Jen,' she said, with a
laugh.
worth dressing for" said Pred.
"If she does I hope it will be for a husband whO
cares enough for her society 10 spend one evening
| at home out Of six."
Fred turned red with anger and modification.
Il was evident 20 Jenny that this would not have
been the last Of Il had she not been present. She
hasened TO change the subject, being aided In the
endeavor BY the advent Of baby.
Il was lovely child and one would suppose
would be an additional tie TO bind their hearts to-
gethsr, but instead of that u was constant bono
/ Of contention.
Thus matters went on or some days. Jenny
observed with pain that Fred was In the habit ol
| spsading most of his evenings cut. For whils
| after she came he stayed In, but mortified as vel
as irrtaied by HE wife's slovenly appearance and
frctfnl complaining. he gradually abssntsd himself
until he rarely spent an evening at home.
"Is Mr. Dayton out this evening = inquired
Jenny, ~, entering the sitting room, she glanced
i around.
'Yeu never need ask that question: returned
Fanny "he's always out"
Jenney had long wished for an opportunity q
i talk with her cousin. Amer moment's grav'
| silence she said
"And DO you know What the end Of this vii be
Fanny
"Rain, I suppose" was the bitter response
sBut there is no help for II, as sec. II Is some
thing Tor which am not responsibie."
! "Hut think you are, Fanny"