Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-10-28

anything more about that"
And she who thought she was only
striving for my interest, replied, coldly:
pardon me May, | shall not offend
again"
"Offend you, who have been father
mother and auntie all in one?" and l
kissed her as had ever done since she
drew me away from her only brothers
coffin, hiding her own grief to assuage
mine.
"Do you remember, auntie, dear,
when l used to have sulks and you
would take me out hunting-hunting
sunshine, you called III" l often
think of it when things 60 wrong, as
they must occasionally, and wish you
with me to 60 hunting sunshine"
Eyes, l remember. You were
great comfort to me, and l am afraid l
have never quite forgotten the man
who coaxed my brothers only child
away from the lonely old maid"
"And the best friend wayward
girl ever had," l replied.
But somehow, after Aunt Fanny's
visit my thoughts and feelings were
not the same. Had | been unwise, as
she said, in giving up everything to
my husband? And had he been too
eager to accept it2 was fearful it
was even so. He should have made
me understand that | had reserved
rights and not taken my property to
control unadvisedly, especially to invest
in a business subject to all the hunct-
uations of the market. And now he
never spoke of it only as his own, and
l had helped him to it ALL and he had
forgotten it.
In my morbid state of feeling |
found so many bitter things of which
to complain to myself. We had been
married four years and during that
time many improvements had been
made in the house and around it, in
curing an expense of some thousands
of dollars. My slightest wish in re-
gard to a convenience or modern
change was satisfied almost us soon as
expressed. And it was, as | said to
my aunt: "a beautiful home"
But what if it was? 1t was with my
money it had been embellished and
made more valuable, and he could
easily afford to bo lavish in expendi-
ture.
"My money used to beautify his
home" said, bitterly, glancing at my
handsome surroundings.
When mine and thine arc having a
a battle, love and tenderness flee from
tho contest. And at times was
frightened at the hard, bitter thought
| was hiding from my husband, or
fancied was hiding from him.
"Nhat is it May?" he once said
with look Of wistful tenderness.
Are you quite well?"
Never BETTER l replied, lightly,
too thoroughly ashamed of the imp |
was harboring to give it a name.
1t was just month since Aunt
Fanny left us-a wretched month to
me--when one evening my husband
came in and gave me folded paper.
Look, dear, and see if it is all right
1t was a certificate of deposit in the
bank for just the amount of the bonds
l had given him four years ago.
If you prefer the bonds / can Ub.
tain them for you, but the interest is
very low now, and that reminds me,
you will have to trust me awhile for
your accumulated interest. This is
all | have saved from my business. but
you are to have the interest, every
penny"
"But whatever am to do with it ~
] asked, in amazed bewilderment.
"Why, keep check-book and spend
your own money as you please" he
replied laughing heartily. "And now
is the embargo removed, and may
tell you how grateful am for the ust
of the money, and how much more for
the loving confidence displayed ii
tending it?'
| could not reply, for the little goo(
left in me was cropping, dismally, il
the valley of humiliation.
II will consider silence consent
then. Have you never suspected how
] secured your patrimony to you il
case anything happened to me before
could repay you?'
"But l would not have any security
} you know thatW said, eagerly
snatching at the last ray of self-re
spect
"But you did all the same. Thi
house with its two lots was decided t,
you and the deed recorded the sam
day | received your bonds. So you Sc
| have not only been using your money
but living in your house-Etta and
for the past four years"
"Oh why did youp' l asked.
"Why did live in your house? BE
cause had nowhere else to live, and
besides, l rather liked it"
You know what mean. Why di,
you deed the place to mep'
, "Because it was right to do so. I wa
acting as your guardian, and had n
r right to use your property withou
, giving security. Don't you see?'
"Yes. and now am to deed it bacl
to you?"
t mo. ! like it just as it is"
g 81 must write to Aunt Fanny, tc