The Penn's Grove record., 1884-01-26

invited.
Betty sprang up, choked back heI
sobs, and tried with all her might tC
compose herself and remove all traces
of trouble.
The visitor was the worst possible
n she could have under the circum.
stances. Crowding herself On terms
of closest intimacy with the pretty
bride, who with her husband had
moved into the village a twelyemontt
previous, Miss Elvira Simmons had
made the very most of her opportuni.
ties, and by dint of making great
parade over helping her in some
domestic work, such as house-cleaning,
dressmaking and the like, the maiden
lady had managed to ply her other
vocation, that of news-gathering at one
and the same time, prett effectually.
She always called her by her first
name, though Betty inwardly resented
it; and she made a great handle of hel
friendship on every occasion, making
John rage violently and vow a thousand
times the "old maid' should walk.
But she never had-and now, seem
ing dimly, like a carrion after its prey,
that trouble might come to the pretty
little white house, the make-mischiet
had come to do her work, if devastation
had really commenced.
"Beencrying?" she said, more plainly
than politely, and sinking down into
the pretty chintz-covered rocking chair
with an energy that showed she meant
to stay, and made the chair creak fear
fully. ''Only folks do say that you
and your husband don't live happy
but lal l wouldn't mind know
faint your fault
Betty's heart stood still. Had it
come to this? John and she not to live
happily To be sure they didn't, as she
remembered with a paDg the dreadful
scene OF words and hot tempers; but
had it gotten around so soon-a story
in everybody's mouth?
With all her distress of mind she
was saved from opening her mouth. so
Miss Simmons, failing in that, was
forced to go on.
"An' L tell the folks So" she said,
rocking herself back and forth to
witness the effect of her words, ''when
they git to talkin', 50 you can't blame
me if things don't go easy for you, I'm
you tell folks SOP" repeatedaBetty.
vaguely, and standing quite still.
WHAT | don't understand"
"Why, that the blame is all his'n."
cried the old maid, e~xasperated at her
strange mood and her dullness. 81 say,
l., why, there couldn't no one
live with him, LET alone that pretty
wife he's got That is what l say,
And then l tell 'em what a
queer man he is. how cross, an"
"And you dare 10 tel people such
of my husband?n cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST
height. and towering so over the old
woman in the chair that she jumped in
at the storm she had raised,
and stared blindly into the blazing
eyes and face rosy with righteous indig-
nation, her only thought was how to get
away from the storm she had raised
but could not stop. But she was forced
stay, for Betty stood just in front of
The chair and blocked up the way, so
she skunk back into the smallest corner
If it and took it as best she could.
My husband!' cried Betty, dwelling
With pride on the pronoun-at least, if
hey were to part, she would say it over
ovingly as much as she could till the
asst moment; and then, when the time
lid come, why, people should know that
t wasn't Johns fault-i'the best, the
ilndest, the noblest husband that was
'yer given to a woman. I've made
him more trouble than you can guess;
ny hot temper has vexed him-I've
cross, impatient and"
"Hold!" cried a voice; ''you're talk
ng against my wife!'' and in a moment
zig John Peabody rushed through the
Ioor, grasped the little woman in his
rms, and folded her to his heart, right
,efore old maid and all.
"Oh!" said Miss Simmons, sitting up
traight, and setting her spectacles
more firmly.
And, now that you've learned all
hat you can, "said John, turning round
o her, still holding Betty, "why-you
nay go!"
The chair was vacant. A dissolying
lew through the door was all that was
o be seen of the gossip, who started
lp the road hurriedly, leaving peace
Betty" said John, some half-hour
fterward, what was the sigh for? l
care now, but l did think, dear
nd it cut me to the heart-how you
night have married richer. l longed
o put ten times ten into your hand,
Betty, and it CALLED me because /
ouldn't."
Betty smiled and twisted away from
lis grasp. Running into the bedroom,
he presently returned still smiling,
With a bundle rolled up i n clean towel.
This she put on her husbands knee,
Who stared at her wonderingly.
sFT didn't moan - sha sold ,,nnf,ntan