The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-03-03
Selert Stury.
TWO DOZEN BUTTONS.

IWU UUZEN bUIlUNSs
Betty sighed. Now, why she should
ave sighed at this particular moment
o one on earth could tell. And it was
\ the more exssperating because John
ad just generously put into her little
hapely hand a brand new tep-dollar bill
md here began the trouble.
Whats the matter ?" be said. bis face
alling at the faint sound ard his mouth
lapping together in what those who
new him but little called an obstinate
tucker. Now what is /, ?"
Betty, who had just begun to change
be sigh into merry little laugh ripping
II over the corners OF the red lips stop.
,ed suddenly, tossed her head, and,
With small jerk no way conciliatory
tent out the words:
"You needn't insinuate, John, that /
Am always troublesome.
II didn't insinua,e-who's talking of
?" cried BE-. thoroughly in
censed at the very idea, and backing
away few steps, he glared down from
q tremendous height, in extreme irrita-
ton. "It's yourself who is forever IN.
and all that, and then for you
to put it on me it's really abomina5le." +"
The voice was harsh, and the eyes that
looked down into hers was not pleasant
to behold.
"And il you think, John Peabody,
that I'll stand and have such things said
to me, you miss your guess-tbat's all J!
cried Betty, With two big red spots com
ing in ber cheeks, as she tried to draw
her little erect figure to its utmost di.
mensions. "Forever insinuatingl
guess you wouldn't have said that before
l married you Oh, now you can, o.
courser',
"Didn't You say it first, I'd like to
kno W" cried John, in great excitement
drawing nearer the small creature be
called "wife," who was gazing at him
With blazing eyes of indignation; 81
can't endure everything"
"And If you bear more than l do
cried Betty, wholly beyond control now
swhy. then. I'll give up" and she gave
a bitter little laugh and tossed her head
again.
And here they we're in the midst of a
quarrel. Tuese two who, but year be-
tore, 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 that Betty nearly skip
ped out of her little shoe-only che con.
trolled the start, for she would have died
before she had let John see II, 1--WE will
have no more of this nopsense!"
His face was very pale and the lines
around the mouth so drawn that it would
have gone tos anv ones heart to have
seen their expression.
! 81 don't know how you will change II
or help it," said Betty lightly, to hide
her dismay at the turn affairs had taken.
I'm sure! aud she pushed back the light.
waving bair from ber forehead With 3
saucy. indifferent gesture.
That hair that John always smoothed
when be petted her, tired or dishearten.
ed, and called her s'child." Her gesture
struck to his heart as he glanced at her
sunny locks, and the cool, indifferent
lace underneath, and before he knew il,
be was saying:
"There is no help for it now, sup
pose" I"
"Oa, 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
"You need not try to en-
iure it, John Peabody, il you don't want
10. I'm sure l don't care!"
"What do you mean?"
Her husband grasped her arms AMI
the merry brown eyes TO look
up TO him.
81 can 60 back to mothers" said Bet
", provingly. "She wants me any day.
and then you can live quietly and to suit
yourself. and it will be better all around" !"
Instead OF bringing out violent pro-
of fond affection and remorse,
which she fully expected. John drew
himself up, looked at her fxedly for a
long, long minute, then dropped her arm,
and with white lips said slowly:
"Yes. it NAV he better as you saw, bet.
ter all around. You know best" and
was gone from the room before she
could recover from her astonishment
enough to utter a sound
With q Wild cry Betty rushed across
The room. 6rst tossing the ten 1ollar bill
savagelv as far as she could throw It..
and flinging herself on the comfortable
old sofa. broke into food of bitter
6rst she had shed during her
married life.
"How could he have done it! Oh
what have said2 Oh. John, Johni"
The bird twl,tered in his little cage
over in the window among the plants -
Betty remembered like fash how John
and she had filed the seed.cap that very
how he had laughed when she
ried to put 1t in between the bars, and
when she cnuldn't reach without getting
,pon a chair he took her in his great
arms and held her up, just like child,
hat she might fix it to suit herself.
And the "hits" be had said in bis ten
}er wav, they had gone down to the
iepths of her foolish little heart. send
ng her sbort her work singing for very
yladness Of spirit. And now!
Betty stuffed her fingers hard into her
rose ears to shut out the birds chirping.
"If he only knew whv sighed" she
"Oh, my husband! Birthdays
nothing will make any difference HOw.
Oh. why can't die ?"
How long she STAYED there, crouched
Town on the old sofa, she never knew =
Over and over the dreadful scene she
vent, realizing its worst features each
lime in despair, until voice out in the
kitchen said: "Betty" and heavy foot
'alls proclaimed that some one was on
The point of breaking In upon her unln-
vited.
Betty sprang up, choking back her
sobs, and tried with all ber might to
herself and remove all traces
Of her trouble.