The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-15
"A SEAL-SKlN COAT.

l had always wanted one.
DO not think was more fond of dress
than ordinary women, but I loved nice
things.
Real laces, velvets, and silks gave me
positive enjoyment.
Not that might dress to outshine
others; but loved luxury; and, alasl we
were poor-Leo and I.
We were very young; was eighteen,
and my husband twenty three.
We had been married Six months, and
were keeping house in moe little cot
ta9e, plainly but comfortably furnished,
and which [ made beautiful by various
little DEVICES that cost nothing.
Leo made mistake, perhaps, in not
falling me from the first just what he
could afford, and what he could not; but
he was foolishly m love with his little
wife, and tried to crafty every wish of
mine.
was selfish and exacting, utterly
nndisoiplined; and the more thought
about the cloak, the more coveted It.
had neighbor, newly married, like
myself, and she had a lovely cloak.
dld not stop to consider that, al
though Mrs. Aylmer's husband was only
clerk, like mine, that she was
wealthy mans daughter, who had given
her all elaborate outfit.
She ~ calling upon me one day, and
wore tL,, CANT cloak.
II do ash had onel' I said, child
,shiy pal ing the glossy fur az she was
leaving.
SNAKE your husband get you onel"
she laughed; adding, "Fred would got
me anything"
LEO, DEAR" said after supper, as
we sat Ill our little sltting-room, won't
yon glyo me a seal-skin cloak like Mrs.
Aylmer's for Christmas PRESENT."
"But my darling," he expostulated
MRS. Alymer's cloak cost four hundred
dollars! at least"
''Wrll, II pouted, "four hundred isn't
suoh vast sum, is it2"
mo, dear, but infinitely more than we
can afford.
You know my salary is small, and
the furnishing Of this house, with a
years rent i'll advance, took nearly all
the money had saved before our mar
rage.
"since then, have laid up only one
hundred.
$50, little one"--smiling fondly down
upon me-''where am to get the re-
mainder?"
"Dear me, Leo" replied, pettishIy,
cant you make it some way-speouIate
or something?
"Other men make money faster than
you do"
M y husbands face grew cry grave as
he inquired, "Lulu, do you think
would deny you this if I could get it for
Jou?"
| know was wrong, but T replied,
sulkily, eff L had married Edwin Arm
strong, he would have bought it for
me-"
was frightened at Leo's white face
as he rose to his feet, pushing me from
him when led to detaln him.
'Has it come to this" he said, hoarse-
~. THAT you regret having refused q
richer man for me2"
without word more he left the room,
and u moment Iator the house shook as
he slammed the front door after him.
Ihe next morning he came and stood
beside me.
thought he was going to put his
arms around me, and take his good-bye
KISS as usual, but he did nothing of the
kind.
He only said, Lulu, have found a
way TO make some extra money, and you
shall have the cloak; but unless you
want to drive mo mad, never repeat what
you said last night"
tie stopped, kissed my forehead, and
LETT me; but somehow the prospects of
obtaining my wish failed to elate nae. "
christmas morning came.
l went down early to the dining-room.
a large box stood on CHAIR,
opened it eagerly, and lifted out the
most brautiful seal-skin cloak had ever
seen; lar slrpassing Mrs. Aylmer's.
1T must have cost Ave hundred"
said, under my breath.
ut IL superol"
LII the bottom Of the box was card.
on which was written:--
~ have fulfilled my promise,
"I.Eo."
Not word of love not Christmas
wish.
With heavy sigh L laid tho cloak
back in the box as my husband entered.
docs 1t suit youp" he asked, quietly.
Ut ID very boautlfull" said. where
: did you get the money, Leo?" ,,f
Never mind wherel" he said, more
harshly than he had ever spoken to mo.
You have the cloak; are you satished?'
"Oh, yes, I replied lightly, drying
back the tears that filled my eyes.
only you are getting to be a regular
That evening there was a concert.
mist seated near Mrs. Aylmer Cleo