Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-02-16


Surely yeu have something more suit
able?'
The significance in mammals voice
made my cheeks tingle. l stood IN
some awe of her disappproval.
There's my alpaca l suggested;
but the trunk is locked Mamma
turned towards the door.
Charley was stridlng up and down
without, whistllng down in the Wilder
ness at a pitch that was fairly deaien'
ing.
Mr.. Graham, will you be good
enough to unfasteu JOS trunk? ehe called
Charley came running In. what do
YOU want in the trunk? he asked.
Another dress;' replied mamma;
that linen is Sc shabby
Charley went to work at the straps
and lock. 1t was spring lock, and it
proved stubborn. He rasped, and
twisted, and shook till his breath was
gone, but the latch would not yield.
Bang he brought it down at las,
and the lid few up with snap, bu t
Charley uttered a howl of pain; the
corner Of the trunk had crushed hisjfoot.
'Confound It, he muttered, do get
out what yoa need and be done with it,
Il hauled out the alpaca, a good deal
tumbled, and somewhat the worse for
wear, Charley seized upon my nice
ironed linen almost before l was out OF
it, crushed it into the trunk, which he
locked, and shouldered, and then he
went limping down stairs.
Dear me, 10, what an irritable man
your husband is = said mamma. why,
child, that must be your old alpaca
To be sure it is, mamma [ answ-
cred, smoothing out the wrinkles.
Is it possible, 10, you haven't had a
new suit since your marriage"
Quite possible, mamma, this is my
best
Dear me, and such an old-fasbloned
cut! Child, l lad no dream that you
were 80 destitute. Why didn't you let
me know? wo1ld have tried TO help
YOU in some way. 1t morlifes me ex-
cessively to see YOU looking so shabbl ;
it does indeed
Mamma, Charley's salary Is so
SMALL!
'Ah. 10 be sure and you were aware
of that fact before you married him.
10, my dear, what mistake you did
make, when you refused Mr.. Higgins.
He is president OF the bank now
4 don't care if Mr.. Higgins owns the
bank, mamma, l cried, my temper gone
gain. L wouldn't give Charles little
iinger for him and all his money
Don't be absurd, Jo, said mamma
smiling, and her smile spoke volumes,
as she busled herself at brushing away
my skirt but tire rust was in the goods
AMI would not brush out.
For gracious sake, come down, if you
you think of gong to-dayp shouted
Charley, from below.
Mamma dropped the brush, and ran
down, and followed, putting IN my
pretty, snameled cuG buttons as l
went. One slipped from my nervous
fingers, aud fell tinkling down the
stars. and into the hall, under Cbarley's
very feet. Of course he made step,
and smashed it.
oh, see what you've done now! ]
cried out, and the tears so long restrain
ed. broke forth.
Pm always putting my feet in it, it
seems, SAID Charley, siffiy.
fingered a moment, hoping he
might make some advances towards a
reconciliation, and give me an excuse
for taking back all the unklnd words
[ had uttered, but he only said, care
lessly:
You had better get your breakfast,
and strobe away, whlstling at a shriller
pitch than ever.
l followed mamma into the breakfast
room, and scalded my mouth with soms
hot coffee; and few minutes later we
we're off. rafting away under the leaden
skies, towards the depot.
Il hope we are in time, said mamma.
The silence fell.
glanced at my husband; he was
gazing out at the window, and still
wbistling under h's breath.
In ten minutes we should part, aud
never NEE. again perhaps. That las
thought was too much for me.
'Oh, Charley l whispered, and sid
nv hand into his, His fingers lay
passive in the grasp Of mine, he did
not even turn his eyes toward me. The
carriage stopped. We were at the sta
ton.
Hurry up, there's nos second to
lose,' said Charley, and before l could
get my breath, VIC were out aud on th'
train.
Good bye, Charley gasped, my
heart IN my eyes.
Goodbye, Midget be responded
softening at the last moment. 'Don''
worry about me. l shall have jolly
lark while you're away.
oh, CbarleyV
The idea Of talking about having
Jolly lark and my heart ready t
break But the train Was gone, leav
ling Charley on .he platform kissing the
tips of his fingers.
Dear me, 10. what an absurd mar
your husband is y remarked mamma