Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-01-24
Mark Shelton's Wife.

"Will YOU attend Mrs. Ausiin's party,
Alice p asked Msrk Shelton, interroga-
lively OF his wife.
"Yes."
The uneasy light left Alice's loving
eyes, for since he was not angry with
her she did not care to pry into his
secrets. And yet, il he would only con-
fde in her, she would feel so relieved
"Will You go. Mark"
II think not A curious smile
parted his lips.
Why in tone OF surprise.
90 shall be otherwise engaged"
Nonsense, Mark. You must not be
such slave to business. Few men are
a. prosperous in the world"
81 have been prosperous" dreamilL
"but-"
He never finished the sentence.
and the panic never affected you in
the least" innocently remarked Alice,
Who knew as much about the subtle
workings OF the financial world rs she
did about the mythical inhabitants OF
the moon.
Nr. Shelton Jumped M, slightly
dnshed in the face. and was ont in the
cold, suniit street before the little
woman had recovered from her aston
ishment-his white even teeth clinched
tightly together. as be hurried down to
the dim, dusty Office, where so many
arduous duties demanded his attention.
Mark was a good man, humane,
charitable and generous in all things,
and until a year back the world had
gone well with him. But the panic
swamped 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 eItrsvagant in
filling or dischsrging contracts. and his
business difficulties had come upon him
so swiftly and imperceptibly that the
blow fell heavier than if be 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 tn previous day he had kept his
face and manner free from all traces OF
care and anxiety. But the const mt
worry and excitement had been too
hard for him, and the dunning OF q
creditor, who demanded the punctual
payment Of note Of four Thousand
that T., due on the lss 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-snd he nad often
moderated hsr strength-he had en-
deavored TO surround her with every
comfort, and had carefully kept all
h4rassing business details or ares from
her ears. He had given her money
without stint, and he supposed she
speut il like other women, for she was
always we'll dressed, and his home was
model Of order and good taste. Be
that as it may, he never thought OF
tracing the cause OF his failure to home
extravaganza. For no woman was more
thoroughly economical than his wife.
Her party toilets we're always in uneI.
cep,ional taste, and her dress for Mrs.
Austin's party was not designed for any
unusual display OF elegance, although
the gathering was to be one OF Unusual
brilhancy.
The night OF the twenty ninth came
"a dark, storm December night, the
air filed with snow-fakes. and the sky
overcast Will uco's SAVuHS'
"It is going TO be = terrible night,
Mark" said Mrs Shelton, as her hus-
ban sat before the library fire, evil
emily absorbed in the CONTENTS OF the
evening paper. 81 have thought once
or twice since / commenced dressing
that would not go the party tonight"
"Go by all means, Alice; the car
rage is close" he replied, glancing up
a, the little trim figure arrayed In dark
silk. trimmed with pale blush roses In
he. purplish black hair, and at the
white throat half yelled with hlmy
,sce He smiled bitterly as he saw her
coins out in her happy, childiike inno'
cence. as she might never 60 again
among people who had no sym
patty for failing merchants, and VINO
would not give his wife thought Il
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