South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-09-02


but for years making u domestic
drudge of horself.
She didn't reflect how much she
was TO blame that il was so, and how
George had striven, years ago, to
prevent her from absorbing herself i'm
household affairs that he would glad
ly have hired servants TO attend to.
No; her first AMI only thought was
to see this syreu who was stealing her
husband from her, and to win him
back to his lawful allegiance.
Harry, observing his mothers alb
straction, got mp lively quarrel and
tumbled Lilly's hair, while Freddy
got at the water in the marble basin,
dabbled his hands in it, and wetted
his best new embroidered dress.
Mamma neither saw nor needed.
She was going over III her mind
the list OF her rarty dresses, which
were all old fashioned, and deciding
that che must have some new ones.
Freddy tumbled OFT chair, and
was left for Ellen, who CHANGED to
come in just then, to pick up and con-
sole.
The children began to think the
world was coming to an end; and
when Ellen and cook retired to rest
that night, the former contided to the
dignitary OF the kitchen that SHE was
sure something awful had happened
to missus,' because when she told her
that Miss Lilly had gone to bed with
Il headache, and Master Freddy was
hoarse from dabbling i'll the water, she
had just said -
'Oh, nonsense ! there's nothing the
matter with them
On the next day, however, Mrs.
Noble was so far returned to herself
ns to show the usual care OF ahd for
her offspring
At the same time she contrived to
keep pretty sharp lookout for her
husband.
She questioned linn with consider
able skill about Mrs. St. Adams, and
managed to make him talk of her.
She thought he seemed confused,
and lie certainly showed more enthn-
siasm i'll regard to the l,tdy's appear
ance than was at all necessary.
1t WAS enough.
Flora WAS furiously Jealous.
In the course of the week two cards
of invitation came to the Mobiles.
Are yOu going out tomorrow night,
George 2 Flora asked with more
carelessncss than she felt.
oh, yes, l think I'll drop into
Sprigglns tor an hour or two,' WAS the
transporting answer.
Mrs. Noble only observed that he
did not ask her to go with him.
with bitter smile she thought:
oh, OF coursc-shc is to be there
She said nothing, but resolved to at.
tend the Spriggln's party.
Mrs. Spriggin was an old friend,
and 1t would not look so strange for
her to 60 there alone, for size had no
Intention of going there with George.
Sho was not long behind him, how
ever. She Just waited to- see the cllil-
dren tucked into bed and fast asleep.
and tor the first time in five years she
"ttlrcd herself i'll evening dress. and
smiled to see that tie glass did not
reflect the figure of lowdy.
George Noble was, indeed. some.
what interested in Mrs st. Adams,
bnt the interest was of very super
fetal character, although lllnatured
people had made remarks about it..
She was lively and bright, and
seemed to like him.
She listened with wrapt attention
when lie spoke.
She bestowed OF him lons and tend
or gIances from her great dark eyes.
She spoke to him in low, sweet con-
tidential tones.
George bad for so long felt himself
q nonenity in his own house, that his
masculine vanity was touched TO find
that other women found linn interes.
ting, even tho his wife seemed nc
longer 90 think 40.
lie was grateful to Mrs. st. Adams
for making him feel OF some couse-
fuenco, and he showed his gratitude
10y admiration.
Flora watched tls little play, md
her heart ached sorely--she had, she
feared, lost her husband by allowing
him to go constantly into society alone
AT last she blamed herself. aud her
contemporaries we're truly most bitter
George had just resigned Mrs. St
Adams to- partner who claimed her
and stood watching her syIph-like
form whirling through tire dance.
Flora was watching her, tOo-uot
withou, n sort Of reluctant admiration
although she said 90 herself:
She isn't pretty a bit, she has on
~ eyes and a graceful figure, without
an ounce Of flesh on it.
Tears sprang to her eyes, but she
held tbom braycIy back.
WHO'S that very handsome woman
was presently asked i'm GeOi res boar