The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-03-03

under the chandelier . beautiful set Of
silver flashed it back in answering blaze.
while his family were gathered around
in admiring ecstacies.
''What does this mean?' he asked,
sternly, and for moment al were awed
by his tone and look. Mrs. Gregg re-
covered first:
s'Why, it is our bridal present to Kath-
leen; don't you think it lovely?''
81 think you win pack it up and send
It back tomorrow" was the reply.
+" Wooden plates and sixpenny glasses
would be much more appropriate gifts
from u.s.
From you undoubtedly, rejoined his
wife, in her coolest tones; they would
equal your usual generosity; but you will
please reflect, my dear. that all these are
marked with her monogram, and it is
quite doubtful if Silverly would be will
ing to receive them, even to crafty your
penurious whims."
!" Whimsr' he repeated, furiously,
I" haven't l told you plainly enough for
more than year that, If we did not re-
trench, we should be ruined? And here,
within the past three months, I've had
bills enough sent in for silks and ribbons
and laces and jewelry to sink q man
worth five times as much as /. tell
you it must be stopped"
Il suppose" retorted Mrs. Gregg.
stingingly, 4" that you would like your
daughter married in a calico dress, with
Biddy Flynn for bridesmaid. That
would, perhaps, meet your ideas!'
"A calico dress that is paid for is
richer apparel than a silk which is not.
But one thing is sure; this silver l cannot
pay for-if you can, well and good"
:" Which is poor way of reminding
me that l did not bring you any money
and SO am entirely dependent upon your
doled out bounty. At this rate l might
as well be poor mans wife"
=" You are poor mans wife," vas
the reply. II knew of NO man any
poorer"
There were steps up the walk, followed
by ring at the door-bell.
- Harold Creighton's compliments, -
read Mrs. Gregg from the gilt-edged
card" and he hopes Miss Cornelia will
accept the accompanying bouquet for
the party. "How devotedr' unused the
lady, and such magnificent flowers!
That will surely be . match, and he SO
wealthy! You see what comes of my
management turning triumphantly to
her husband; but he was gone.
Pacing on with rapid steps. compan-
toned by bitter, despairing thoughts.
careless whittier he went or what be-
came of him. Still on, mindless of time
or place, till the moon, which had been
all the while patiently climbing ladder
of cleaning clouds, stood at its top and
looked brightly down upon him with no
roofs and walls between. A fresh,
country scent wss in the air, and roses
nodded at him over white palings.
Whittier had his unwilling feet borne
him? He looked about him as in maze.
Yes, it was the very same-the little
house where he had dwelt in the first
DAYS of his married life. perfectly con-
tent and care-free. How happy he had
been there!-more 50 than ever since.
He would gladly now give all up and 60
back; but too well he knew the useless
ness of such proposal.
"Nor' he murmured; 81 must try
this last move; if it fail, then
He fingered long in the dear old neigh
borhood. Who can tell what memories
and reflections came to him there, or how
they told upon the future? When he re-
turned thither, his home was silent, its
wrapped in slumber; caring not,
he bitterly thought, whether he ever came
back,
Yet his wife had held long and Sc
rious consultation with herself. She could
not help fearing that his words had too
much truth in them; but she would not
draw back; the silver she could not give
up; the wedding must 90 on as she had
planned it, no matter what came after
wards. The next mornings mail took q
letter with superscription which, her
hand had not traced before for months.
The yard of a pleasant country house,
with flecks of lingering sunlight dimpling
through the low-drooping trees. An air
of general peacefulness over all, and .
placid old lady quietly watching from
the wide, old-fashioned porch, the pro-
gress of her husband up the walk from
the gate.
"What time it takes your she calls
out, cheerily, as he draws near. Z.
True enough" he answers, in the
same tone, ''and I'm in a hurry, too;
but we're not SO young as We once
were"
'sNot so young, but Just az happy"
she answers fondly. sWhat have you
there?''
"a letter from our Elizabeth, and l
can't make it out, must say-either
what she means, or what's the good
ont"
ut does seem queer-like," she re-
marks, after long and careful perusal
Of the hurriedly-written sheet; Il can't
see how she could get into any such
trouble as to need to borrow money of
rs, rich as her husband isl
"Well." he explains, after another
''she says Lewis has spells when
his mind seems wandering, and he fancies
himself poor, and won't let her have any
and she has made this debt,
promising to pay it just now. She II send
It all back again when he gets right, you
,ee."