The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-05-08

way"
He pitied his friends embarrassment,
but did not appear to notice it. Instead,
lie chatted unconcernedly Of old friends and
past times. Suddenly turning a corner,
they met two mutual acquaintance. Hand
,hakings and inquiries followed. and the
four had 50 much to say that Mr.. Gray de-
cided to send a note to his partner. and
spend the forenoon with his friends.
The party now adjourned to a restaurant.
and Mr.. Raymond, aware Of the exact
amount Of his-Nr. Gray's-funds. ordered
lunch.
Before separating. a little excursion to
Beech Island was proposed for Monday.
Mr.. Gray invited them. meantime, to
spend the evening at his house. The even
ing passed was a pleasant one. Annie was
in excellent spirits: sang aud played, and
was altogether charming. Mr.. Raymond.
remembering the money, decided that mat
rimony Was a snare when women were 50
deceptive.
The next day, which was sunday, Mrs.
Gray, without being asked, gravely handed
her husband fifty cents.
Mr.. Raymond was present but did not
appear to notieeit lie was apparently en-
crossed in the boob he was reading. but he
heard Mr.. Gray ask:
Whats that for: Oh, the contribution
box. Thank you. he said. But to him
self lie added:
Why not save it. to 60 with the twenty
five cents ! have already. 50 as not to be
compelled to ask for money Oh Tuesday,
ThenI can succeed in getting some for
Mondays trip without the knowledge Of
my friends, and this absurd farce will end
without any more unpleasantness.
Monday morning came all too soon; for
try as he would he could not get the atten-
ton Of Annie when he endeayorcd to breach
the subject Of the projected trip. Fidget-
ing with his knife and fork, he cleared his
throat at last. and IN a nervous way made
a plunge.
Mrs. Gray elevated her eyebrows.
To the Island? Pray. what for? 1t Is
hardly the season for excursions.
Mr.. Raymond really pitied his friends
evident distress, SO he said. j~okingly;
WHY, you see, Mrs. Gray, We want To
get off for a time, as we used to when
boys.
The lady smiled grimly. and said:
albert is, as YOU see, too extravagant
by half. cannot, in the present state Of
finances, give my consent to his going.
With these words, spoken with great com
posture. she walked of, leaving the gentle
men to themselves.
BY Heavens. Albert, I never would
stand that said Frank, vehemently. ITO
be tutored like a school-boy!. Haven't you
any money at the store2 If not. call upon
me tor any amount. and let Us hurry, or
we shall be late.
No, | am afraid | cannot go. | am
pledged not to take any money from the
store, and it would not be right to accept
any from YOU.
Glad Of any excuse, Mr.. Gray then told
his friend the secret of his wife's conduct.
.'Nhewl So that is it, said Frank.
wei Tn glad to have my faith in wo-
mankind restored. But isn't she overdo-
ing the matter9 Did you ever refuse her
money before others?"
Il think I did, last summer. when Mrs.
Osgood was visiting her. They wished to
visit a friend residing in Biddleford. l
thought it was foolish, and told them 50;
and finally refused my wife the money.
The truth is apologetically, Il had met
with some heavy losses and felt that we
must economic.
''Why not have allowed her to use her
own judgment? Perhaps she intended to
economic in other ways said Frank.
Il believe she said something of the
kind. But, to tell the truth had got into
the way of thinking that women needed to
be continually curbed. or they would lun
into cxtravaganees.
Its a shame to treat a h~igh-spirited
woman in that way"
Il realize it now, fully, more fully than
YOU Cdli. hiiitSo 1pt ~ tAittEh wa ny
experience. Annie said she had lon
plain sewing to pay for things that She
needed. rather than ask me for money. 1
understand it now. | would far rather
have earned the money for our trip by saw
ing wood Than have asked for ii. Fancy
having to always ask =
ID You know. Albert. | am glad this
has happened , ! may marry sometime; in
fact, I'm thinking of it strongly. and now
l shall avoid the course you have taken.
Otherwise l presume | might have done
just the same. believe a great many men
do"
Do? Why, yes, Ny mother never
had A single penny without asking my
father fort, and she helped earn it all, and
was prudence and industry %personiiied.
I'll turn over a new leaf. Al. here come
our friends.
Mr.. Raymond, to Mr.. Gray's great re-
lief, said it would not be possible for him
to go on the proposed trip, owing to IN
forseen circumstances, whereupon. Mr..
Gray, IN an off-hand manner proposed
that. as Frank could not go, they should
all come to his house that evening again.
.sMv wife will be glad to see vou.' said