The Russellville Democrat., 1881-02-24
THE VELVET CLOAK.

the dashing woman, who now walked beside her. People, in fact, had ire quently wondered how the two came to be so intimate.
 Hettie's husband had expostulated often, q don't want to interfere in your friendships, my dear, but l do wish you would see less of Mrs. Danvers," he had said, q don't fancy her"
 The two ladies directly entered Wallace & Dukes fashionable store.
 They have such beautiful cloaks," said Mrs. Danvers, land you know we agreed, the other day, to buy cloaks ex actly alike?"
 "I-I don't know-I'm afraid I'll have to give it up" said Hettie, hesitatingly. "Dick told me, at breakfast, he couldn't afford to give me a new cloak, at least, a velvet one, this winter. He said he was only clerk, with not too large a salary. I've only got forty dollars, which is all he could spare"
 Bother Dick" was the reply. "Who cares what he said? My husband told me, too, this morning, that l mustn't think of such thing; but l cooly in- formed the gentleman did as pleased. Guess he knows that pretty well, al-
 eady."
 'I wouldn't dare tell Dick that" says Hettie
 "You wouldn't? Poor little soul! You don't kRow how to manage husband. The right wayis just to get thing when you want it, and then, you see, when the bill comes in, why you've got it, and they can't help themselves, so they have it to pay for. That's the way to fix 'em! And it's the very way we are going to do this time"
 Hettie knew very well that this was very bad advice. Her cheeks burned, and she felt very much inclined to turn and walk out of the store, leaving Mrs. Danvers to her own devices. It was a pity she did not obey the wise impulse. For the velvet cloaks were so lovely, she fingered, and longed, and at last met the late of the woman who hesitates.
 Mrs. Danver's willy tongue and bad ex- ample prevailed. When they left the store, two cloaks were ordered to be sent home, for which each purchaser was to pay sixty dollars; and when Hettie went to bed that night, the beautiful velvet thing was locked in drawer in her wardrobe, not ten feet from the bed.
 She meant to tell Dick the very next day; but the longer she thought, the more she dreaded it.
 "Pll wear it few times, and then I won't mind it." she said, smoothing out the rich fringe, not feeling particularly happy, however, in the possession of the coveted cloak.
 But It was not so easy to wear it. On Sunday, she went to church with Dick, and she would never have dared to put it on then. During the week, she went out one afternoon with Mrs. Danvers, and then the hidden treasure was put on. Mrs. Danvers was in raptures over its beauty; but Hettie could not enjoy it. She was so afraid of meeting Dick. She would nearly as soon have faced canon, as have met him, and seen the look of grave surprise in his eyes. When Hettie got home, she flung the cloak upon a chair, saying:
 'Despicable thing How could I ever have got myself into such worry? The idea of being afraid to go out for fear of meeting ones own husband And he the best fellow in the world, tool That's just the reason of it. If he was hateful, and wouldn't get me things, why l wouldn't care; but when he is so good, and works so hard, poor fellowl l just despise myself for trying to deceive him. l don't think I'll ever wear that thing againp'
 However, week or two later. Dick was obliged to go away from home for day or two; and then Hettie wore the velvet cloak once more. But she felt as if every eye was upon her; and she took it upstairs, when she got home, with a firm resolve to tell Dick, and never wear it again, until he knew all about it.
 But when Dick came back, she turned a pitiful little coward, and could not open her mouth. She was very misera- ble and unhappy, and poor Dick won- dered and asked in vain what the matter was. She always said nothing" but she was very unlike her old, cheerful self.
 An invitation came to them, to spend the holidays with Hettie's married sis- ter in Boston, and Dick, thinking it would do Hettie good, accepted the in- vitation.
 Hettie was anxious to go. But what was she to do? It was needful she should have a new cloak of some kind to go in, or at least while she was in Boston. She couldn't get another, while that one was in the house, and how could she tell Dick now? She was Tn hourly fear, besides, that the bill would be sent in, and then the truth have to come out.
 They were to go the day before Christ mas. At supper-time, on the evening of the twenty-third, Dick came in with a bright face, and large pasteboard box in his hand.
 Well, little woman" was his greeting, fits a bit early for Christmas present; l but you'll want to put it in your trunk | tomorrow, and so I brought it along. | See how you like it."
 What is it?" asked Hettie, as he put l the box in her lap.
 Look and seep He united the string | which fastened the box, took off the | cover, and lifted out - oh, dreadflll | Hettie's heart flew to her mouth, and | almost choked her-for it was rich. | black velvet cloak. And one far richer, | and more elegantly trimmed, than the | hateful thing locked in her wardrobe | drawer upstairs.
 Hettie sat an instant, pale and still. | Then she rallied, with a. determined effort.
 "Oh, Dick, how kind you are" she said, as quietly as if her heart was not | like trip-hammer. q am afraid you couldn't afford this, I didn't |