Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-02-07
What might Have BEEN


What might Have BEEN
Isn't 1t lovely % Nettie Long asked,
as she held up trailing, bronze-hueo
satin dress for her husbands admlrar
ton one morning, three days before
the coming Of the New Year.
VERY lovey,' the man answered. In
tone less enthusiastic than Nettie's
had been.
You amt glad bit,' the girl said
pettishly.
Il am very glad, Nettie,' he replied
quietly, with a voice which still had
| suspicion Of weariness in it.
1T is lovely she replied, and Only
want one thing to make my toilet iol
New YEARS. day complete.
Il have the sweetest crimson rose'
for nv thruat and belt, and all l need
| ia q duchesse lace barbe.'
Il saw a beauty to day at Macintosh's
for twenty-five dollars.
4 am afraid you will have to do with
out it, DEAR
q have exhausted my last months
salary
Il cannot give you the money
Never mind, Walter; draw youi
mex, months salary to-day, and give
me my allowance and l will get the
barbe with that, and have the meat and
groceries charged for two or three
weeks
Il would not mind drawing my salary
few DAYS before it IS due, though you
know | do not like 10 do 80, but couic
never consent to your running in deb
to purchase an article you do not need
and the coal bill l promised on The
second Of January will take all the sur
plus funds l might otherwise spare
| you
But do need it, Walter
'One would think you would llk'
| your wife to lock her prettiest on New
Years Day.
| Let the coal.de alcr wait anothe
! month"; she said coaxlnsly.
lam sorry you have so little princ'-
ple.' .
l Il cannot be dishonest even to grstif
lJou.'
Really you must do without it, h
replied.
4 cannot see how making ones coal
dealer wait a few weeks ia dishonest
but even il it were, 1t is no worse ths
meanness and slinginess"
L
'Netue, take care " he interrupted
'you rouse the demon in me-
YOU know l give. you all have
'We are spending every dollar
cur income as fast as VIC receive
l. hen, now in our youth, we ought
b be self dening and economical, al
: save something in. case Of trouble
ill-health"
Come, Nettic, be reasonable
/ said, his voice changing from passion
r. ate auger to gentle entrealy, 'yo'
friends will think you quite as chart
ing without the coveted lace as WI
II, # and would certainly respect y
y. more if they knew the circumstance
Aud he kissed her pretty post
lips. and went to his business griev
L. and anxious at his wife's apparent la'
=. Of principle, yet revolving 10 bis mil
jhow he might purchase for her ID
which she so coveted.
1t was New Years Eve, and M
=" Long attired for the opera, vailed
81 the yellow light Of the CRATE fire in IN
COSY parlor for her lord TO finish
toilette.
Il was late, and she could hear
sound of his footsteps as he went
and fro in that room above, and OF
she started TO call him, but took
seat again, exclaIming angrily:
oitt No. he is always late; let him 10
Tor his time /; l don't care!'
But when the bronze clock on
mantel struck eight she opened
door. and called lmpatiently:
Waller, are you never coming =
No voice answered her. but
s. minutes later ber husband entered
pArlor, attired Tor the opera.
In her anger she would not turn 9
greet him, but he softly crossed
q. room aud stood before her, and
was compelled to glance up to him,
face whitened to the very lips.
Iye He was without shoes or stockin
/ He wore neither coat nor vest,
lh,s white shirt hung sleyele's about b
/, -ound his head, 30 as to conceal
,,, the wild eyes, from which
,;rs. os reason had departed,
gathered his white merino vest;
hand held this tightly, while 'hc o.
claspcd Nettie's white opera sua
which In her haste she had iorgo''el
walter /! Walier!' = che cried In 'e'
'What is the matterr
L. We're going to get the -'ne--s'
~ you know .o
81 u couldn't get 1t before; don't ECO
N, he said piteously.
nd My darlingv
I'll .Ob, my darlingv walled Net'