The Republican journal., 1885-03-19
BELFAST, MAINE, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1885.

pltS, ludl llouUlC HlSut COulo W ilc
pretty little white house, the make-m mis-
chief had come to do her work if de-
vastation had not already commenced.
"Been cryingw she said, more plainly
than politely, sinking down into the
pretty chintz- z-covered rocking chair with
an energy that showed that 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 la l
wouldn't mind-'tain't your fault"
Bettys heart stood still. Had it come
to this ? John and she not live happy
To be sure they didn't, as she remem-
bered with a pang the dreadful scene or
words and hot tempers; but had it got
ten around so s0on-a story in every
body's mouth ?
With all her distress of mind she was
saved from opening her mouth. So Miss
Simmons, failing in that, was forced to
20 on,
"An' | tell folks So" she said, rocking
herself back and forth to witness the
effect of her words, ''when they git to
talkin': so You can't blame me if things
don't 90 easy for you, I'm sure !"
"You tell folks?" repeated Betty,
vaguely, and standing quite still. "What?
| don't understand"
"Why, that the blame is all his'n,"
cried the old maid, eyasperated at her
strange mood and her dullness. al say
says |, why there couldn't no one live
with him, let alone that pretty wife he's
got, That's what | say, Betty. And
then | tell 'em what queer man he is,
how cross, an"
"And you dare to tell people such
things of my husband ?" cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST
height, and towering so over the old
woman in the chair that she jumped in
confusion at the storm she had raised,
and stared bindly into the blazing eyes
and face rosy with righteous Indignation
her only thought was how to get away
from the storm she had raised but
could not stop. But she was forced to
stay, for Betty stood Just in front Of the
chair and blocked up the way, so she
skunk back into the smallest corner of it
and took it as best she could. any
husband Y crled Betty, dwelling with
pride on the pr0noun-at least, if they
were to part, she would say it over
lovingly as much as she could till the
last moment; and then, when the time
did come, why, people should know that
it was Johns fauit-''the best, the kind
est, the nobest husband that ever was
given to a woman. I've made him more
trouble than You can guess: my hot
temper has veXed him-Ive been cross,
and impatient and
''Hold ~ cried a voice, ''youre talking
against my wife, and in moment big
John Peabody rushed through the door,
grasped the little woman in his arms and
folded her to his heart, right before old
maid and all.
"Oh :" said Miss Simmons, sitting up
straight and setting her spectacles more
firmly.
"And now that you've learned all that
you can SAID john turning around to
her, still holding Betty. "why may
GO
The chair was vacant. A dssolving
view through the door was all that was
to be seen of the gossip, who started up
the road hurriedly, leaving peace be-
hind
"Betty," said John, some half hour
atterWard, "What Was the sigh for |
don't care now, but ! did think, dear,
and it cut me to the heart; how you
might have married richer. onged to
put ten times ten into your hand, Betty,
and it CALLED me because | couldn't
Betty smiled ard twisted away from
his grasp. Running into the bed room
she presently returned, still smiling, with
a bundle rolled up in clean towel. This
she put on her husbands knee. who
stared at her wonderiDgly.
II didn't mean" size said, unpinning
the bundle, "to get it out now, but
shall have to- Why, John, day after to-
morrow is your birth day y
$50 It's" said John. 'Gracious. has
it come around SO soon ?"
And you, dear boy" said Betty,
shaking out before his eyes pretty
brown affair, all edged with silk Of the
bluest shade, that presently assumed
the proportions of a dressing gown "this
is to be your present. But you must be
dreadfully surprised, John, when you get
it, for OH | didn't want YOU to know it !"
John made an answer ne thought best.
When he spoke again he said, perpleXed,
while a small pucker Of beWilderment
settled between his eyes:
but don't see, Betty, what this
thing laying one finger on the gown,
"had TO do with the sigh"
That" said Betty, and then she broke
into merry laugh that got so mixed up
with the dlmples and the dancing brown
| eyes that tUr a moment she couldn't
finish. 'Oh, John | was worrying 50
over those buttons. They weren't good,
| but they were the best cOuld do then.
| And Id only bought 'em yesterday. Two
whole dozen And when you put that
$40 bill in my hand, didn't hardly
know it, but suppose | did give one
little bit Of sigh, for | was so provoked
that had not waited buying them until
to day"
John caught up the little woman,
| dressing gown and all. | don't think
they have ever quarrelled since-at least
| | haze never heard Of it.