Connecticut western news., 1884-04-23
VOL. XIII.
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] and to protect her against financial trouble in the possible event of his death, by insuring his life heavily for her benefit.
 Miss NIillisen listened attentively, looked thoughtful, felt pleased and did not hesitate to show what she felt. The General saw he was progressing well, so he followed up his advantage by ask ing
 ''Is there anything else can promise or do to gain your consent? You have only to name it "
 Miss Millisen thought carefully for moment or two, but was obliged to an swer:
 Nothing whatever. I will take you at your word."
 "Then hope to one day call you Mrs. Chartus."
 At last Miss Millisen found her natural repose untrustworthy; she trembled a little, blushed great deal, tried to speak but could not, noting which the Gen. erals mercy took the form peculiar to lovers on such occasions.
 The wedding speedily followed. On this subject the couple were ill entire ac- cord. Where they were to go OH their bridal tour was subject of discussion for little while-only little while. The General wanted to travel westward there he had large mining interests-but the lady preferred Europe and reminded her coming lord of his promise to further her happiness by consulting her desires. So to Europe they went1 the cost in actual cash outlay and business losses consequent on long absence, being equal to about one-half the bridegroom's business capital.
 When General and Mrs. Chartus re- turned to New York their friends re- marked to one another that the bride was as stately, handsome and self-con- tained as ever, but that the General seemed rather older than before-as he certainly was, by few months, and that he was not quite so positive as in his bachelor days. In society the change
  said in business circles, for there was not the old trouble of being held at arms length in everything that involved dol lars and cents. At home, however, ill the handsome house presented by the General to his bride, the change in the host and the lack of change in the host ess were most noticeable Mrs. Chartus re- ceived all friends and visitors with her su- perb old time repose; she never was more attentive to one guest than another, and she always was scrupulously respectful and courteous to her husband; but the General had lost his ancient tenacity of opinion; his apparent disregard of what other people might say or think; even on subjects which he fully understood he no longer expressed positive opinions, he seemed always apprehensiye of what the effect of his words might be upon his wife. Ladies who had unnecessarily aspired to Mrs. Chartus's B position exhib- tied much malicious delight at the change in the General, but married women and Chartus's old friends pronounced 1t burning shame that the General had de- liberately wrapped himself around a woman's finger-around the finger of woman who seemed unable to compre bend the honor imposed upon her.
 Meanwhile Chartus devoted himself more closely to business than ever; he seemed almost frantic in his desire to make great deal of money. So, like most men who are in too much of q hurry, he made some serious mistakes. He pinned his faith and his capital on the Twin Angel Silver Company; borrowed money when his own was exhausted in maintaining the stock at high figure, and lost nearly everything when the final and inevitable slump came.
 He was ruined; he had absolutely nothing left but his office furniture and his wife. He devoted a wretched hour or two to retrospection, but recovered his spirits quickly as he thought he saw silver lining behind the edge of the cloud. His wife-his Leah the fair wo- man whom he worshiped, yet, who, somehow, had never been more to him than an extremely civil and reputable &C., quaintance--his wife would now become wholly his own, for had he not heard that trouble always breaks the bonds of } woman's heart? He hurried to his home; he manfully, honestly, told every } thing. His wife listened attentively, and he looked closely for sign of sym pathy, but he saw none. On the con- trary, Mrs. Chartus's face grew hard and fixed, and at last she said: "What are we to do?-how are we to live?"
 "You must have considerable money in the bank, Leah" said the General;
 ''I have added several thousand dollars to your own property, you know" Certainly" said Mrs. Chartus, "bui ; you would be too proud to be supported by my money"
 Chartus felt that he was reeling but he recovered himself sufficiently tc say:
 "Of course not; I merely meant the temporary use of 1t, as loan to me would save us from annoyance at home ' until"
 Remember" interrupted Mrs, Char : tus, "that you promised never should have any annoyance about money mat 5 ters. I took you at your word" "Thanks," said the General quickly ''for reminding me; thousand thanks But l suppose I may at least count or Il your sympathy ?"
 ' "Certainly-at least suppose SO, Q said Mrs. Chartus; ''but this affair Ii going to be drcadfully annoying. Peo