The Osceola times., 1885-08-22


If he knew why 1 sighed" she
moaned. ''Oh, my husband! Birth.
days-nothing will make any difference
now. Oh, why can't die?"
How long she stayed there, crouched
down on the old sofa, she never knew
over and over the dreadful scene she
went, realizing its worst features each
time In despair, until heavy footsteps
proclaimed that some one was on tke
point OF breaking in upon her uninvited,
cried:
"Bettyw
Betty sprang up. choked back her
sobs, and tried with all her might To
compose herself and remove all traces
OF her trouble.
Inc visitor was the worst possible one
she could have under the circumstances
Crowding herself on terms of the closest
intimacy with the pretty bride, who
with her husband had moved into the
village q twelvemonth previous, Miss
Eivira Simmons had made the most of
her opportunities, and by dint Of max.
ing great parade over helping her in
some domestic work, such as house.
keeping, dressmaking and the like, the
maiden lady had managed to ply her
other vocation, that Of news-gatherer, at
one and the same time, pretty effectu.
ally.
She always called her BY her first
name, though Betty resented IL; and she
made q great handle other friendship on
every occasion. making John rage VIC.
lently and VOW a thousand times the
''old maid" should walk!
But she never had-and now, seeming
dimly, like carrion after is prey, that
trouble might come to the pretty little
white house, the make-mischief had
come to do her work, il devastation had
really commenced.
Been crying!" she said, more plainly
than politely. and sinking down into tho
pretty chintz-covered rocking chair
with an energy that showed 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-I know 'tain't your
fault"
Betty's heart stood still Had it como
to thisP John and she not to live happy!
To be sure they didn't as she remem.
bered with a papg the dreadful scene
OF words and hot tempers; but had II
gotten around so Often-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 60 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 4
things don't go easy for you. I'm sure!'
You tell folks SOL" repeated Betty
vaguely. and standing quite still.
"WhatP l don't understand YOU"
"Why, that the blame is all his'n,"
cried the old maid, exasperated at her
strange mood and her dullness. II say,
says l. why they couldn't no one live
with him, let alone that pretty wife he's
got That's what l say, Betty. And
then, | tell 'em what queer man he is.
how cross, and"
.And you dare to tell people such
things of my husbandP" 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 eye
and face rosy with 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 ii and
took 1t as best she could. my hus-
band!' cried Betty, dwelling with pride
on the pronoun-at least, II 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 ii
wasn't Johns fault - "the best, the
kindest, 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, impatient, and"
Hold" cried voice, you're talk
ing against my wife" and in q moment
big John Peabody rushed through the
door. graspcd the little woman in his
arms and folded her to his heart right
before the old maid.
..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-you
may GO"
The chair was vacant. A dissolving
view through the door was all that was
to be seen Of the gossip, who started up
the road hurAedly, leaving peace be-
hind.
BETTY" said John some hslf-hour
afterward, "what was the sigh for. ]
don't care now, but | did think, dear.
and il cut me to the heart, how you
might have married richer. l longed
to put ten times ten into your hand.
Betty, and it galdcd me because ]
couldn't"
Bette smile and twisted away from
his grasp. Running into the bed room
she presently returned, still smiling,
with bundle rolled up in clean towel.
This she put on her husbands knee,
who stared at her wonderingly.
81 didn't mean" she said. unpinnng
the bundle, ITO let it out now, but ]
shall have to. Why, John. day after
tomorrow is your birthday"
$50 'tisr' said John. ''Gracious, has
it come round so SOON"
"And, you dear boy" said Betty,
shaking out before his ewes q pretty
brown affair, all edged with silk Of the
bluest shade that presently assumed the
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