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

morning; how he had laughed when she
tried to put It la between the bars. and
when she couldn't reach without getting
upon q chair he took her in his great
arms and held her up, just like q child.
that she might fix Il to suit herself.
And the bits be had said in his
tender way, they had gone down to the
depths 0f her foolish little heart. sending
ner about her work singing for very
gladness Of spirit. And now
Betty stuffed her fingers hard into her
rose ears to shut out the birds chirping.
III he only knew why / sighed,n she
fhoaned. "Oh, my husband Birth
| days nothing win make any difference
inow. Oh, why can't die9"
j How long she stayed there, crouched
flown on the old sofa, she never knew.
Over aud over the dreadful scene she
lwent, realizing its worst features each
time in despair, until voice out in the
Kitchen said "Bettyl" and heavy foot
falls proclaimed that some one was on
che point of breaking in upon her unin-
vited.
BETTY sprang up, choking back her
sobs, and tried with all her might to
compose herself and remove all traces of
her trouble.
The, visitor was the worst possible one
she could have under the circumstance
Crowdfng herself on terms of the closest
intimacy with the pretty bride, who with
her husband, had moved into the village
twelve4month previous, Miss Elvira
Simmons had made the very most of her
Opportunities. and by dint of making
great parade over helping her in some
domestic work such as house cleaning,
dress-mal1ing and the like, the maiden
lady had managed to ply her other voca-
ton, that of news-gatherer at one and
the same time, pretty etfectually.
She always called her by the first name,
though Betty resented it: and she made
great handle Of her friendship on every
occasion, making John rage violently
and vow a thousand times the ''old
maid" should walk
But she never had-and now, scenting
dimly, like carton after its own prey,
that trouble might come to the pretty
little white house, the make mischief
had come TO do her work; if devastation
had not already commenced.
''Been cryingl' she said, more plainly
than politely, sinking down into the
pretty chintz-covered rocking g-chair with
an energy that showed that she meant to
stay, and made the chair creak fearfully.
"Only folks do say that you and your
husband don't live happy-but lal I
wouldn't mind-I know tain't your
fault"
Betty's heart stood still. Had it come
to this2 John and she not live happy!
To be sure they didn't, as she remem-
bcred with pang the dreadful scene of
words and hot tempers; but had it got
ten around so soon--a story in every
body's mouth9
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 tell folks So" she said, rock
ing 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 go easv for you, Pm surew
"You tell folks7" repeated Betty,
vaguely, and standing quite still.
"What2 / don't understand.n
"Why, that the blame is all his'n, +"
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood and her dullness. II 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 a queer man he is,
how cross, an"
Sand 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 blindly 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, fof Betty stood Just
in front of the chair and blocked up the
way, so she skunk bask into the smallest
corner of il and took it as best she could.
''My husbandl' cried Betty, dwelling
with pride on the pronoun-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 fault-''the best, the kind
est, the noblest husband that ever was
given to a woman. I've made him more
trouble than you can guess; my hot
temper has vexed him-I've been cross,
and impatient and
"Hold p cried a voice, ''you're 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.
''Ohn 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-you may
60"
The chair was vacant A dissolving
view through the door was all that was
to he seen of the gossip who started up
the road hurriedly, leaving peace behind.
betty" said John, some half hour
afterward, 'what was the sigh forg /