Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-06-07

The bird twittered in his little caqe
over in the window among the plants.
Betty remembered like fash how John
and she filed the seed-cup that very
morning, how he laughed when she tried
to put it in between the bars, and when
she couldn't reach without getting upon
a chair. he took her in his great arms,
and held her up, just like child, that
she might fix it to suit herself. And the
"bits" that he said in his tender wav.
they Ind gone down to the depths of her
foolish little heart, sending her about
her work singing fr very gladness Of
spirit, And now
Betty stuffed her fingers hard into her
rosy ears to shut out the birds chirp-
ing.
moaned. "Oh, my husband Birth
dsys--nothing will make any difference
now. oh, why can't die?"
How long she stayed there, crouched
down on the old sofa, she never knew.
Over and over the dreadful scene she
went realizing its worst features each
time IN despair, until voice out in the
kitchen said, betty |" and heavy foot
steps proclaimed that some one was on
the point Of breaking in upon her unin-
vited.
Betty sprang up, cloked back her
sobs, and tried with all her might to
compose herself and remove all traces
| Of her trouble.
The visitor was the worst possible one
| she could have under the circumstances.
| Grow ding herself on terms of the closest
n'tnay with the pretty bride, who with
her AN, band had moved into the village
a tS.ivomonth previous, Miss Elvra
stands had made the very most of her
opportunities, and by dint of making
great pilale over helping her in some
domestic work, such as housekeeping.
;rezsm'.king aud the like. the maiden
lady had managed to ply her other voca-
':on, that of newsgatherer, at one and
tne same time, pretty effectually.
Size always called her by her first
name, though BETTY resented it; and she
made 4 great handle Of her friendship on
| every occasion, making John rage vio-
.ently and vow thousand times the
''oll maid" should walk!
Eut she never had--apd now, seeming
l;inly, Ike carrion after its prey, that
trouble might come to the pretty little
white house, the make-mischief had come
to do her work, if devastation had really
commenced.
"Been crying |" she said, more plain.
ly than politely, and sinking down into
the pretty chintz-coverel rocking chair
With an energy that showed she meant
to stay, aud made the chair creak fear
fully. "Only folks do say that you
and your husband don't live happv-but
la wouldn't mind--I know faint your
fault"
Betty's heart stood still. Had it come
to this! John and she not to live happy
To be sure they didn't, as she remem-
berea with a pang the dreadful scene of
words and hot tempors; but had it got
ten arount so soon--a story in every
bod, 5 mouth?
With all her distress Of mind she was
saved from opening her mouth. So
Miss Summons. failing in that, was
forced to go on.
An l tell folks so, she said, rocking
herself back and forth to witness the eff
feet of her words, when they git 10
talkin', SO you can't blame me if things
don't go easy for you, I'm sure !"
You tell folks SOP" repeated Betty,
vaguely, and standing quite still.
"What? I don't understand"
why, that the blame is all his'n, "
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood and her dulipess. 81 say,
says !, why they couldn't no one live
with him, let alone that pretty wife he's
got. That's what / say, Betty. And
then tell 'em what queer man he is,
how cross, an"
And you dare to tell people such
things Of my husband?" cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her extremes:
height, and towering SO over the old wo-
man in the chair that she jumped in con-
fusion at the storm she had raised, and
stared blindly into the blazing eye and
face rosy with righteous indignation
her only thought was how to get away
from the storm she hadraised, but could
not stop. But she was forced to stay,
for Betty stood Just in front of the chair,
and blocked up the way. 30 she
skunk back into the smallest corner OF
it and took it rs best she could. my
husband!" cried Betty, dwelling with
pride ON the pronoun- at least, if they
were to part, she would say it over low
ingly ~ much as she could till the last
moment; ami then, when the time did
come, why people should know that it
wasn't Johns fault" the best, the
kindest, the noblest husband that ever
was given to woman. I've made him
more trouble than you can guess; my
hot temper has vexed him--Ive been
cross, impatient, and"
Hold!" cried q voice, "you're talk
ing against my wife and in moment
big John Peabody rushed through the
door, grasl,ed the little woman in his
arms, and folded her TO his heart. right
before old maid and al |!
"Ohl" said Miss Simmons. sitting
mp straight, and setting her spectaclss
more firmly.