The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-12-15
WHOSE FAULT.

II was three years since that so.called
happy event occurred, but though she
was trfe more staid and dignified, 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, as he took seat by her
side. :.
Jenny cast somewhat surprised
glance at the grave face OF the speaker
"Why, how? Has she been i'll ?
"Well, no! can't say that she has
been i'll" was the besitating 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 franl,
kindly face of the speaker.
Was it his fault ?-ior there must be
fault somewhere.
The house rs the carriage stopped III
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 disappointed.
Fred looked slightly disconnected as
nc RlaUCcu AIOunu.
"Fanny's in her room, suppose; III
hunt her up"
"Ah there you are, Fan"
Here dowdily dressed woman made
her appearance at the other end of the
recognize had it not bcen for the warm
embrace and eager greeting.
After leading the way to the dark aud
nation all ut once forsook her, and
throwing herself upon the sofa, she
burst into tears much to JenIy's sur
prise and CONSERVATION.
"The sight Of you reminds me 30 OF
the happy past" sighed Fanny, as she
wiped away her tears.
"And the present is no less happy,
l hcpe?' suggested Jcuny, 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 mournful
shake of the head, which, rightly inter.
preted, mean that she never expected
to be so happy again as long as she
lived.
Putting his hands in his pocket Fred
walked to the window, whistliug softly
to himself with an i'll dssembled air OF
unconcern.
"If you knew how that noise goes
through my head, Fred |" demonstrated
Fanny, as she rang for Ann to take
away her cusin's things.
Fred ceased whisting, taking himself
out Of the room at the same time.
Fanny gave her cousin look, as much
rs to say, "You see what | have to put
up with ?"
AS soon as the door closed after her
husband Fanny's countcnance lost it's
disconsolate, abused expression, and she
commenced talking with her visitor with
considerable spirit and animation.
Jenny now had an opportunity to OBJ.
serve here more particularly.
1t was nearly dinner time, and still
she had on the calico wrapper that she
had worn at breakfast not much soiled
but still faded and wrinkled.
She wore neither cuffs nor collar
while her pretty brown har-pretty
when properly cared for-was smoothed
over the top and tucked back Of hel
cars in tangled punches.
Her feet were thrust into pair Of old
slippers, much too largo for her aud
down ct 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, 80 smiling and happy.
From the habit of giving way to oil
her peevish and discontented feelings as
they arose, it seemed impossible for her
to look pleasant now, whom 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
time ior dinner.
II had no idea it was so near dinner.
time," said Jenny, rising tc her feet, as
she glanced ut her watch. ~ shall
hardly give you time to dress"
"O shan't make any change in my
band at dinner, and you won't mind"
"Nc, certainly, sha'n't mind"
There was more than this on Jenny's
lips, hu. she checked herself.
Th., was not the right time to speak,
even if she had any right to speak at
all,
There could scarcely bo greater con-
trast than those two presented at the
dinner-table, both of nearly the same
age, and both endowed with more than
usual personal attractions.
at the time of her marriage, Fanny
had been called the prettier; but it was
quite the contrary now, aud ell the diff
ference lay in the dress and expression.
Not that Jenny's attire was either
gay or expensive.
The dress was simple merino, simply
made nhd trimmed, but it fitted neatly
the neat waist OF TIM wearer. Tho cuffs
and collar were white and fresh, with q
knot Of bright ribbons at her throat.
On the contrary, Fanny wore tho some
faded, ill.fitting dress Of the morning
with the addition-if addition It could
be cailed-of halfsoiled collar, pinned
away and fastened with bunch G. dingy
ribbon.
It was impossible fer Fred not to no.
tice the difference, and making mental
CT ment ON itnot very fiattering to the
wife of his choice.
Tho contrast was too marked to escape
her notice, though it was easy to see that
she ascsiGed the chaRge to their different
conditions.
"Ahl you won't think worth while to
fuss SO, much after you're married, Jen,"
she said with laugh.
Perhaps Miss Jenny will think her
husband worth dressing for" retorted
Fred.
"If she does, l hope it will be for q
husband who cares enough for her soci-
city to spend one evening at home out of
six.
Fred turned red with anger and NOR.
tification.
IL was evident to Jenns that this
would not have been the last of it had
she not been present.
She hastened to change tho subject,
being aided in the endeavor by the ad-
vent of baby.