Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-02-18

and with the bitterness was mingled q
feeling Of intense pity for Mark, who
had kept all this from her ears, that she
might hear it from some uncharfteble
lips. Verify, she thought, the world is
vain show, and those who love it are
but moths futt, ring about its dazzling
pleasures, only to have their wings
singed by the cruel tongues of flame
that leap up from envy, malice and de-
ceit.
Mark shall not fail" she said, rising
up with white, determined face. "I
will show them that his wife is worthy
of him."
Needless OF the gayety and warmth
around her, of the binding snowstorm
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
iug-room, and wrapping hersolf up in
cloak and furs went out into the storm
and bravely faced the binding sheets
of snow that the wind dashed into her
face--a face almost az ghastly as the
snow that fell so swiftly and silently on
the half-deserted pavements. The gas
fared out through murky gas lamps
with dull sickly glare; hacks and
carriages went whirling by like sheeted
ghosts, and once in 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
overooat. The porter dozed in chair
before the stove in the outer room. and
Alice stole softly past him and stood
before her husband.
"Alice |"
Ills eyes dilated in astonishricnt.
Alice dropped into chair aud looked
up at him with glitter in her blue
eyes that held him spellbound.
"Mmk, do you think I'm fool"
Her voice had q raspy ring that
startled him. lie glanced at her snow
covered wraps and then made dash
for the soaked boots peeping out from
under the edge of her bedraggl gled silken
skirts.
"Alice l"-one boot came off with
jerk-"what insane whim drove you
out into the street such night as this ?"
he flung its mate to the furthest end OF
the room.
"Oh, Mark" Mrs. Shelton's temporary
strength and courage was swiftly van
ishing, "are you going to foil?'
Mark instantly comprehended the
situation. She had beard tho 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 busi-
ness matters, but felt in justice to his
wife's general worthiness, he should
have trusted her in this emergency.
Hush, Alieep for she was begin.
ming to sob hysterically, "you must not
be alarmed. If can raise the money
to Fay off note That fills due to-mor-
row may weather the panic yot."
"How much will you need ?"
Her little face was uplifted eagerly.
"Four Thousand d"llarsp
" Is that all ?" with little hysterical
laugh. "Then you won't fail; for l
have five Thousand all my own, saved
out of the money you gave me to spend
on The house and myself. Ah, Mark,
you thought spent it all.
"Alicel" !" Mark took the little shiv-
ering form in his arms. "You are
worth your weight in goldr'
know it," slyly retorted Alice;
but it has taken you five years to find
it out. And, Mark, if you cannot can
Gel the rest of your debts we will sell
the house and live in 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 recounting as she went
the story she had heard in Mrs. Austins
perfumed library. At the conclusion
she said:
q" 1t wa cruel of you to keep me SC
long in the dark, Mark And neve.
treat me ke fool or child again, for
if / am a soap chandler's daughter |
have sense and feeling and Judgment
enough to save something for rainy
days"
It is needless to say that Mark re.
deemed his note, to the chagrin of some
of his business rivals, who had secretly
gloated over his difficulties; and,
although his affection for his wife was
never demonstrativo, the care he took
of her was wonderful. for he has found
that the price OF q good wife is above
rubies.