Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1881-07-07
WHOSE FAULT.

WHOSE FAULT.
Fred Dayton assisted his wife's cousin,
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 in her smil-
ing face.
1t was three years since that so-called
happy event occurred, but though she
was a trife more staid and dignifed,
she had the same happy smile, neat, trim
appearance that he so we'll remembered.
"You will find Fanny good deal al.
tered" he said, taking seat by her side.
Jenny cast somewhat surprised glance
at the grave face of the speaker.
"Why, how? Has she been ill?''
"Well, no! can't say that she has
been ILL.," was the hesitating reply; "bu,
she-sAe's changed. Marriage dom,
seem to have agreed with her very WELL
Jenny looked earnestly into the frank,
kindly face of the speaker.
Was it his fault?-for there must be q
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 cousin
in the hall she was disappointed. Fred
looked slightly disconnected as he glanced
around.
"Fanny's in her room, 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 Il
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 ami
nation all at once forsook her, and
throwing herself upon the sofa, she burst
into tears, much to Jenny's surprise and
CONSERVATION.
"The sight of you reminds me SO OF
the happy past" sighed Fanny, as shs
wiped away her tears.
"And the present is not less happy,
hope7" suggested Jenny, feeling for hel
cousins husband, who looked foolishly
conscious that he was in some way con
sidered to be at fault.
Fanny's only reply was mournfu
shake of the head, which, rightly inter
preted, meant that she never expected
to be so happy again as long as she lived
Putting his hands in his pockets Free
walked to the window, whistling softl!
TO himself with an i'll dissembled air o
uneoncern.
off you knew how that noise goe
through my head, Fred!" demonstrated
Fanny, as she rang for Ann to take ava!
her cousins things.
Fred ceased whistling, taking himsel
out of the room at the same time.
Fanny gave her cousin look, as mucl
as to say; "You see what / have to pu
up with?"
Jenny now had opportunity to observ
her more particularly.
1t was nearly dinner time. and still
she had on the calico wrapper she ha'
worn at breakfast: not much soiled, bu
still faded and wrinkled.
In asking and answering questions tn
time passed rapidly until it was nearl
time for dinner.
"I had no idea it was so near Dime
time," said Jenny, rising to her feet, q
she glanced at her watch. II shall hard
ly give you time to dress."
"Oh! shan't make any change in m
dress; there'll be nobody but husband q
dinner, and you won't mind"
| mo, certainly, I sha'n't mind"
There was more than this on Jenny
lips, but she checked herself.
There could scarcely be greater col
trast than those two presented at th
dinner-table, both of nearly the sam
age, aud both endowed with more tha
usual personal attractions.
! At the time of her marriage, Fam
had been called the prettier; but it WI
quite the contrary now, and all the di
ference lay in the dress and expression.
1t was impossible for Fred not to nc
tiee the difference, and make, q menta
comment on it not very fattering to tn
wife of his choice. The contrast WAS to
marked to escape her notice, though
was easy to see that she ascribed tn
change to their. different conditions.
"Ahl you won't think its wort
while to fuss SO much after you're ma
ried, Jen," she said, with laugh.
Perhaps Miss Jenny will think b,
husband worth dressing for" retorte
Fred. 'as- ssses
"If she does. hope it. WIN be for
husband who cares enough. for her soc
ETY. to spend one evening st home out {
1 the six. &ssa7 sg<S .
! Jenny hastened to change the subjec
being aided in her endsavor by the a
vent Of baby. Itwas lovely child, an
i one would suppose would be IN add
tional tie TO bind their hearts togethe
1 but instead Of that it was o constan
bone of contention.
Thus matters Wsnt On for some day
benny observed with pain chat Fred ",
e The habit Of spending most of his eve,
ings out. For . while after she came
stayed In, but moFtified a. we'll ~ irr
tated by his wifs's sloyeniy appearant
and fretful complaiaing, b esaauall
: sesentsd himsslf until hssasssy spez
siAn evening athene. 4 X.