West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-02-29
ONE NIGHT IN THE COUNTRY.

III
happened to come home late that
night, for had dned some old friends
ut the club by way of sparing my wife
the trouble of entertaining. Now.
Fanny was the most amiable woman i'm
the world, and, of course. never felt
nervous about returning at any hour |
chose. But the truth was. she had
given up her happy country life for my
sake, and | knew that she secretly re-
GREETED those rural delights. | also
knew that, whenever | was detained
later than usual ut the club. that feelinU
was especially dominant. Sol thrust
my hands deep into my ulster pockets
and tried TO think of some pleasant
topic of conversation with which to be-
guile her into cheerfulness. AS drew
near home my fingers came in contact
with crumpled bit of paper i'm the
depths of my pocket. This knew to
be telegram, which recalled the fact
that my agent had that day taken a
truit-farm near Nineland to secure a
debt; and this. in turn, suggested an
idea. j would tell nv wife about
Cookies bargain, and emphasize the
news by displaying the dispatch
softly opening the front door. |
CROPPED my way along the dark hall to
the nursery, where | was sure to find
Fanny, and almost equally sure of
waking baby. lis that you, George9''
she asked, in a discouraged tone. with
out turning her head The wicked idea
OF Disgusting my voice to note the effect
crossed my mind, but | thought of the
telegram and resisted the temptation.
"Of course, Fanny. How coy Won
are here! Turn up the lamp. have
something TO show YOU" | said, cheer
lly, rs | smoothed out Cooke telegram
before her
What do you think of that, Fan?''
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and gave
the cradle a little Jog with her foot to
keep the baby quiet.
~ George, how good you aren' she
cried, joyfully. "Have Won really
bought farm? When are we to goP''
why, you you wouldn't move in
March' would you?' ! asked, for lack
OF something better to say.
what shall we do with this bouse
George?' And the furniture? Hadn't
we better sell the horses and carrioge
ana get something a little more suited
TO country roads%'
1 saw that my wife was wide awake
now, so / yawned and replied that we
would nave plenty Of time TO think about
that, and remarked that il was oettino
late.
/ suffered an occasional twinoe If
conscience the next dav. as now and
then | recalled my wife's innocent nrat-
lie ABOUT our farm. / also began To fear
that l had not behaved with nv usual
wisdom in the attempt TO strew my own
pain with flowers on my return from,
the club As dinner time approached
l shrank from meeting Fanny. and M
last sent her note 10 say that would
not be at home till late bour and
begged her not 90 sit up for me. But
might rs well have gone home like n
man II was only deferrine the evil
hour' when | must confess that / never
had the remOtcst idea Of living in the
country, even though / might be the
possessor OF forty farms.
sui. day after day / put il on. while 7
was forced TO hear myself praised for
seishrss.. or 10 listen to my wife's
scheme for the education Of our bovs
Wnen they should be ont Of the reach of
schools by and by our friends he.
gan 10 talk Of our departure rs If IL had
been settled fact I'm vain assured
ihem mat Do wa, all nonsense. aad ,yc
were not going away az ALL They took
me p'ng OF separation more phil0-oub-
lca.if than one would have IMAGINED
and ] began TO bee little sensitive
i ney even inquired whether meant to
l't or sell the house, what we were roipo,
TO 90 with our servants and If our new
in church was for sale.
All This was rather hard. but when
ON our % uhtl pnuigcrgnrt. gttr ,,.t,,f