Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-02-18
Selett Stnrn,
Mark Shelton's Wife.

"Wll you .ttend Mrs. Austin's party,
Alice 2" asked Mark Shelton, interroga.
lively of his wife.
"Yes."
The uneasy light left Alice's loving
yes, for since ho w.,s nut angry with
her she did not care to pry into his
secrets. And yet, II he would only con
it,e in her, she WOW III feel so relieved |
will on 20, Mar&f"
II think not" A curious smile
parted his lips.
WhyT in tone of surprise.
g shall be otherwise engaged"
Nonsense, Mark You must not ba
such slave to business. Few men arc
as prosperous in the world"
81 have been prosperous" dreamily.
"but-"
he never finished the sentence.
And the pane never affected you in
the least" innocently remarked Alice,
who knew as much about the subtle
workings of the financial world an she
did about the mythical inhabitants OF
the moon.
MIR. Shelton jumped up, slightly
dushed in the face, and was ont in the
cold, sunlit street before the little
woman had recovered from her aston
shnIent-his white ever teeth clinched
tightly together, us he hurried down to
The aim, dusty Office, whore so many
arduous duties dem. nded his attention.
Mark was good man, humane,
charitable and generous In al! things,
aud until year back the world had
gone we'll with him. But the panic
swampea dozens OF his debtors, his
business was dead in financial sense;
and his creditors were clamorous for
bills he could not meet. He had never
been careless, unwise or extravagant in
filling or discharging contracts. and his
business difficulties had come upon him
SO swiftly and imperceptibly that the
blow fell heavier than if he had been
expecting some catastrophe.
But Alice Shelton knew nothing of
this. The mental turmoil going on in
her husbands breast never found vent
in the dissatisfied word or look, and
until tho previous day lie had kept his
face and manner free from all traces of
care and anxiety. But the constant
worry and excitement mad been too
hard for him, and the dunning of o
creditor, who demanded the punctual
payment of note of four thousand
that fell due on the LIST, together with
unforeseen debts had so upset him that
he could not cover his mental distress
with the mask of carelessness he had
worn for weeks past.
His greatest trouble was for Alice.
Never very strong-and he mad often
underrated h5r strength-he had en-.
deavored TO Surround her with every
comfort. and had carefully kept all
hrassing business details or ares from
her ears He had given her money
without stint, and he supposed she
Spcnt it like other women, for she was
always well dressed, and his home was
j model of order and good taste. Be
that as it may, he never thought of
tracing the cause of his failure to home
extravagance. For no woman was more
thoroughly economical than his wife.
Her party toilets were always in unex.
c"pional taste, and her dress for Mrs.
Austin's party was not designed for any
unusual display of elegance, although
he gathering was to be one of unusual
brilliancy.
The night Of the twenty.ninth came
IA dark, storm December night, the
air fillsd with srow-aakes, and The sky
overcast with heavy clouds.
at is going to be terrible night,
Mark" said Mrs Shelton, as her hus-
ban sat before the library fire, evi-
optly absorbed in the contents of the
evening paper. 81 have thought once
or twice since / commenced dressing
that would not 60 the party tonight"