Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-02-07
VOL. 7S.-39S2. NO. 1S.

have been about Mrs. Grey's affairs, and
had nothing to do with me, but then, why
need Henry have equivocated about the
matter 2"
The little affair troubled me considerably,
and my uueasiness was very much aug
mented few days afterwsrd
was in the kitchen that morning, put
ting the finishing touches to the prepara-
tion for breakfast, when Mrs. Grey and
Henry entered the dining-room, and heard
him ask;
:" Are you sure Mary knows nothing about
this matter 2"
Yes, am quite certain of it," said
Mrs. Grey, "and think we have been for
tunate in keeping it from her."
ayes, it would never do for her TO find it
out now," Henry answered.
Alas alas for my peace OF mind !
waited TO hear no more, but ran out into
the back hall and upstairs, whence | ap
| peared In the dining-room as the breakfast
bell rang, looking little flushed and ex-
cited, but not enough to cause comment.
After breakfast Mrs. Grey went out to
make some little purchases, and sat down
in my husbands big arm chair in the sit
ting room, and tried to reason myself out of
my absurd fears and suspicious.
What was it that my husband and his
mother were trying to keep from sme
Why did they treat me like a child in my
own house It was shameful, and | was
indignant.
| My meditations were interrupted by the
entrance Of Miss Skinner, who chad run
over to have little chat" as she said.
"Why, my dear ~ she exclaimed at first
sight Of me, " how poorly you are looking.
What is the matter ?"
"Nothing serious. | was very busy yes
terday and am little tired"
"Ah one more in the family makes
more work, | know. 1t won't do to wear
| yourself out in this way; you must let
| your mother-in-law do her share of the
work."
"Ah indeed she does" exclaimed |,
quickly, seven more than | want her to,
sometimes"
Well, it seems to me she goes out more
than you do"
"And SO she ought. I have Harry to
claim my attention"
And she receives callers, too"
al think you must be mistaken, Miss Su-
san She has made no acquaintance since
coming here"
"But l certainly saw a gentleman come
here, two days ago, when you were down
town."
"a gentleman l'
"Yes, and she met him at the door her
self. Mr.. Grey came home in about half an
hour and took him away with him."
"Oh it was probably some friend OF
Henry's"
"Perhdps so," replied Miss Susan, doubt
ingly. She soon after took her departure,
leaving my mind in very troubled state.
In vain did l try to reason with myself
to persuade myself that all this was no con-
cern OF mine, it should not trouble me- still
could not help connecting the visit of this
gentleman with the mysterious private con-
versation. Why was not thought worthy
of their confidence Why all this secret
plotting and schemingP
In spite of myself all Miss SINNERS
. warnings of few weeks before came back
to my mind with redoubled force, and
could have wished myself deaf before ever
=, listening to that hateful woman.
. Suspect my husbands mother, that sweet,
gentle-faced woman, of any treason toward
! me No, indeed, will not
= Still, almost daily found myself inter
!, rupting stolen conversations, aud stumbling
upon evidences of the secret, and add to
y this Miss SINNERS almost daily /" chats u
. with me, which always left me feeling un-
| comfortably with the world in general and
;. my mother-in-law in particular, no wonder
I grew thin and pale, and lost my appetite.
: Mr.. Grey and his mother wondered at it,
= and tried in vain to raise my spirits. My
, husband took me out driving daily.
> One day Henry said he was going TO take
me for good long drive, for | needed it, he
said. pleaded that | was too busy when
: the time for my drive came but Henry
would not listen to it, and | put on my
wraps and went. The air was clear and
keen, and | felt much refre shed and invig
I GRATED when at last we drew up before the
. door of our own home
Run up stairs and take your wraps off
= Mary, and then come right down wan
y u to show you something" said Henry, as ht
. helped me out.
D. When | came down stairs, he was
waiting in the hall and drawing my hanc
:, through his arm, he conducted me to tn,
=. parlor.
= "What is it you wish me to see, Henry ?
~ | asked as we entered the room.
- Find out for yourself" he answered
y playfully.
= raised my eyes and then gave shril
- scream of delight, and, with a bound, wal
=, - across the room, standing beside a superb
- piano.
a 80 Henry where did this some from
u " What perfect beauty Is it really for me
y, 0 how can | ever thank you ?"
Va W "One question at time, my dear; but
iI 40 will answer your last one first. You have
o. no right to thank me for this beautiful pres
y ent. Here is the giver," replied Henry, 60
10 ing up to his mother, who had stood quie
. spectator of my pleasure, and putting hi
- arm around her.
y "Mother is it possible o you darling
=. how can l ever thank you ?" cried |, throw
~ ~ ing my arms, too, around Mrs. Grey, an
~ i. giving her a rapturous hug.
~ -, 81 am we'll surrounded, see," she sale
- "a smiling on us, proudly, and then added;
- y 81 am glad you are pleased with you
u, piano, Mary and you shall repay me b
= getting all the enjoyment from it that 20
can"
III at is something have wanted ever sine
we were married" said |, " but Henry coul
~ A not quite afford it."
Vi And now you have your hearts desire,
- said Henry. but at the expense of littl
'u SHINING, | am afraid. Do you remembt
one evening, about two weeks ago, whe
you found the parlor door locked Moth,
ue and were holding consultation when 20
''' came, and l sent you after the cigar case
- give her time to run away. | came ver
es,,' near telling fib that night
iu' "Yes," said his mother, " such plannin
III and plotting as we have had. The oth'
- day, when the man came to make the mn
:, arrangements about bringing the piano, yo
iei were down town, and was so afraid th'
III you would return unexpectedly and tn
=, afternoon they came and put it up whi
pu' you were out driving but | knew Hem
'ps would not bring you home too soon.'
VIC felt myself turning sick and fain
This, then, was the secret which had to
nu mented me so these innocent plots al
70 plans prompted by loving hearts VIII
a 1A, monster | was to have suspected this mob
.i .ne woman of any wrong felt like humbhI
NY myself to the dust before her.
oe " How white you are, child The excit
hg ment has been too much for you" said MI
" el Grey.
ere But | knew better. Still | kept II
ner secret locked in my own heart; not
he word would | let this gentle wom'
ng, know how | had been tempted to dou
" her.
iaa 1. And now, this is the real reason why
hla n, have gradually dropped Miss Susan Ski
% %ous ner's acquaintance, and why that wort
al9 spinster often complains how " dreadful
'nu uppish some folks have grown" but a
ao- only too glad to be able to keep out of t
., reach of her tongue and, in the absence
eu; 'di my husband, find my greatest comfort a
VII delight in the society of my motherin'la
ii ~. / l. l.