The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-04-01
TWO DOZEN BUTTONS.


Betty sighed. Now, why she should
have sighed at this particular moment
no one on earth could tell Aud it was
Az the more exasperating because John
mad just generously put into her little
shapely hand brand new ten dollar bill.
And here began the trouble.
What's the matter2" he said, his face
Ealing at the faint sound and his mouth
clapping together in what those who
knew him bit little called an obstinate
pucker Nbw what is it9"
Betty, who had just begun to change
the sigh into q merry little laugh rip
pling all over the corners Of The red lips
stopped suddenly, tossed her head, and,
with small jerk no wsy conciliatory
sent out the words:
''You needn't ipsinhate, John, that /
am always troublesome. -
II didn't ihsinuate- talkingo OF
indnuatingln cried he, thoroughly in.
censed at the very idea, and backing
away few steps, he glared down from
a tremendous height, in extreme irrita-
.ltion. t1t's yourself who is forever in
ssinoating and all that and then. for you
to put it on me-it's Hnally abominable. y
1.-The voice was harsh, and the eyes that
ookea down into hers was not pleasant
to behold.
s'And II YOU think, John Peabody,
that I'll stand and have such things said
TO me, you miss your guess--thats all !"
cried Betty, with two big red spots COM
ing in her cheeks, as she tried to draw
her little, erect figure to its utmost di-
mensiops Forever insinuatingl
guess you wonldnt have said that before
married you. Oh, now you can, of
couser
Didn't you say it first, I'd like to
knowl' cried John, in great excitement,
ldrawing nearer the small creature he
called wife, who was gazing at him
with NlAzing eyes OF indignation; IL
lcaR endure everythingln
And if you bear more than do, y
cried Betty, wholly beyond control now,
"why, then, I'll give up, and she gave
a bitter little laugh and tossed her head
again.
And hore they were in the midst of a
quarrel. These two who, but a year be-
fore, had promised to love and protect
and help each other through life.
"Now, said John, and he brought
his hand down with such bang on the
table before him him that Betty nearly
skipped out of her little shoe--only she
controlled the start, for she would have
died before she had let John see it, 1--WE
Wil, have no more of this nonsenser
His face was very pale and the lines
around thenouth so drawn that it would
have gone to any ones heart to have
SEEN their expression.
81 don't know how you will change
or help It, said Betty lightly, to hide
er dismay at the turn affairs had taken,
n sure and she pushed back the light,
aying AAir from her forehead with a
aucy, Indifferent gesture.
That hair that John always smoothed
when he pctfed her tired or disheart-
ened, and called har achild.n y Her ees-
I tsfro struck to ms heart as he glanced at
ner sunny locIs I'd the cool, indifTer-
ent face underneath, and before he knew
i he was saying
s'There is no help for it now, sup
pose
.'oh, yes, there is said Betty, still
in that cool, calm way that ought not to
have deceived him. But men know so
little Of women's hearts, although they
may live with them for years in closest
I ifriendship. you need not try to en-
dure it, John Peabody. If you don't
vans 10. Pm sure / don't earep
''What do you mean9a
Her husband grasped her arms and
compelled the merry brown eyes to look
up to him.
II can 60 back TO Mothers" said
Betty, provokingly. ''She wants me
any day, and then you can live quietly
and to suit yourself, and it viii be bet
ter all around.
Instead Of bringing out violent pro-
\ testation of fond affection and remorse,
which size fully expected. John drew
himself no, looked at her fixedly for q
long, long minute, then dropped her
arm, and with white lips said slowly;
Eyes, il may be better as yousay, bet
ter all around You know bestl' and
was gone from the room before she
could recover from her astonishment
enough to utter a sound.
With a wild cry Betty rushed across
the room, first tossing the ten dollar
bill savagely as far as she could throw
il, and fiinging herself on the comforta-
Bile old sofa, broke into a food of bitter
tears-the FIRST she had shed during
her married life.
How could he have done i'll Oh
what have said4 Oh, John. John
The bird twittered in his little cage
over 10 the window among the plants
Betty remembered like flash how Johr
and she had(dlled the seed-cup that very