South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1885-05-29

iow-toned conversation With her son
and still he had the came a. denied
nor presence there. It was the first
time he had ever equivocated to ME.
ana l could not overlook it without
showing the reason. Was Mics Minis
right after all? Was there a secret
between him and bis mother from
which was excluded and If SO, what
could it bel p
well, never mind l thought: cit
might have been about his mothers
affairs. and had nothing to do with
me, but then, why need he eqivocate
about the matter p
The affair troubled me. and INV nm.
easlness was very much augmented a
tow days afterward. / was i'm the
Kitchen putting the finishing touches
to the preparations for breakfast, when
Henry and his mother entered the
dining room and heard him ask
Are you sure Mary knows nothing
about this matter7'
Yes, I am quite certain of,it,' was
the answer. Il think We have been
fortunate in keeping it from her.
Yes. it would not do for her to
find it out now said Henry.
Alas for my peace Of mind I wait
Ell TO hear no more, but ran ost into
the hall and up stairs, whence l ap.
peared in the dining room as the
breakfast bell rang, a little flushed
and excited, but not enough to cause
comment.
Alter breakfast Mrs. Grey won't ont
to make some purchases, and sat in
my husbands big armed chair and
tried 10 reason myself out of my alb.
surd feara and suspicions. What was
it my husband and his mother were
trying to keep from me-? Why did
they treat me like child in my own
house? 1t was shameful, and was
indignant. My meditations were in
terrupted by the entrance of Miss
Minis, who had run over to have a
little chat, as she said.
why, my dearr she exclaimed, at
sight OF me, how poorly you are look
ing What is the matter with your
Nothing serious. was very busy
yesterday; ara little tired
sAh! one more in the family make.
more work, | know. 1t won't do for
you to wear yourself out in this way !;
you must let your mother-in- law do
her part
.Ah, indeed, che does exclaimed I
quickly, sand more than 1 want her to-. ;
well, it seems to me she goes out
more than you do
'And SO she ought. have Harry
to claim my attention.
and she receives callers, too
Il think you must be mistaken, Miss
Susan. She has made no acquaintan-
ces since coming here.
'But l certainly saw a gentleman
come here two days ago when you
were down town.
"A gentleman =
Yes, and she met him at the door
herself. Mr.. Grey came home in a.
bout half an hour and took him away
with him.
%, it was probably some friend
Of Henry's.
Perhaps so.' said Miss Minis,
doubtingIy.
She sooI took her departure, leav-
ing me in troubled state of mind.
In vain | tried to reason with myseIf;
to persuade myself that all this was no
concern of mine, it should not trouble
me; still | could no, help connecting
the visit of this gentleman with the
mysterious private conversation.-
Why was | not thought worthy Of
their confidence Why all this plot.
ting and scheming
In spite Of myself, all Miss Susan's
warnings of few weeks before came
back to my mind with rcdoubled
force. and L could have wished myself
deaf before ever listening to that hate
full woman. Suspect my husbands
mother, that sweet, gentle-faced wo-
man, of any treason toward me. No,
indeed, | will not.
Still, almost daily found myself
inter- Gpting stolen conversations, and
stumbling on evidences OF the secret.
and added TO this Mios Srsan's daily
talks with me, which always lett me
feeling uncomfortable with the world
in general and my mother-in-law 10
no wonder grew thin and
pale and lost my appetite. Mr. Grey
and his mother wondered at IL, and
my husband took rae ont driving often.
One day Henry said he was going
to take me for long drive. I plead.
ed that was too busy, but be would
not listen TO II, and 30 ] went. The
ar wac clear and keen, and felt
much refreshed when we returned.
Run up stairs and take your wraps
OIL, Mary, and then come right down;
want to show you something said
Henry, IS be helped ne eat
When J. came down stairs be was
nttlng in the ball, aud drawina ny
b.. q O L. 81.