Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-01-24

that was raging without, or the long
snow-bound walk that lay between the
Austin mansion and her husbands
warehouse, she hurried up to the dress.
ing-room, and wrapping herself up in
cloak and furs went ont into the storm
and bravely faced the binding sheets
Of snow that the wind dashed into her
face--a face almost as CHASTITY as the
snow that fell so swiftly and silently on
the half-deserted pavements. The gas
Jared out through murky gas lamps
with dull sickly glare; hacks and
carriages went whirling by like sheeted
ehosts, and once in a while some be-
lated pedestrian almost walked over
her; but Mrs. Shelton walked on, her
heart too hard and anxious to think Of
fear or fatigue.
When she reached the warehouse the
clock On distant stoeple was just
Ginning IL, and Mark was standing in
the dimly-lighted Office, putting on his
overcoat The porter dozed in chair
before the stove in the outer room. and
Alice stole softly past him and stood
before her husband.
"Alicel !"
His eyes dilated in astonishrent.
Alice dropped into chair and looked
up at him with glitter in her blue
eyes that held him spellbound.
"Mnk, do You think I'm fool"
Her voice had raspy ring that
startled him. lie glanced at her snow.
covered wraps and then made a dash
for the soaked boots peeping out from
under the edge OF her bedraggled silken
skirts.
"Alice ~ one boot came of with a
ierk-"what insane within drove you
out into the street such night as this p
He flung its mate to the furthes. end OF
the room.
"Oh, Mark, Mrs. Skeletons tcmporary
strength and courage was swiftly van
ishing, "are you going to fail q
Mark instantly comprehended the
situation. She had heard the story OF
his financial troubles, probably in some
distorted form, and the knowledge had
almost crazed her. He blamed himself
severely for keeping her in ignorance
OF the truth. He always had repug-
nance to womanly interference in bust
ness matters, but felt, in justice to his
wiies general worthiness, he should
have trusted her in this emergency.
flush, Alice" for she was begin
ming to sob Historically, lyon must not
be alarmed. II l can raise the money
to pay off a note that falls due to-mor-
row may weather the panic yet
How much will you need?"
Her little face was uplifted eagerly.
-Four thousand dollarsl'
Is that all ?" with little hysterical
laugh. "Then you won't fail; for I
have FIVE thousand oil my own, saved
out Of the money you gave me to spend
on the house and myself. ALI. Mark,
You thought spent it all
"Alice" Mark took the littlo shiy.
ering form in his arms. You are
worth your weight in goldl'
81 know It," slyly retorted Alice;
but it has taken you FIVE years to find
it out. And, Mark, if you cannot can
eel the rest OF your debts We will sell
the house and live in a room or two
until the panic is over, for you shall not
fail"
Mark sent for carriage, and they
went home through the white, noiseless
streets, Alice recoun,ing az she went
the story she had heard in Mrs. Austin's
periumed library. At the conclusion
she said:
at was cruel CT you to keep me SO
long in the dark, Mark And nevei
treat me like fool or q child again, for
il / am o soap chambers daughter l
have sense and feeling and judgment
enough to save something for Iainy
days"
1t is needless to say that Mark re-
deemed his note, to the chagrin OF some
OF his business rivals, who had secretly
cloated over his difficulties; and,
although his affection for his wife was
never demonstrative, the care he took
of her was wonderful. for lie has found
that the price OF good wife is above
rubies.
Jenny Lind is only sixty years old
and does not look Gity, her hair being
but slightly touched with gray, her
eyes still bright and happy and her
form well preserved. Her home in Lon
don is spacious and attractive. She re-
tains warm memories OF America, and
has kindly welcomed and advised the
Young American singers who have
ught her out.