The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-06-19
"A Second Thought.

'l"I must have it, George, said Mr..
Whitman's handsome little wife. $50
don't put on that sober face"
ibid put on q sober face ?" asked
the husband, with On attompt to smile.
that was anything but q success.
"Yes. sober as a man on trial for his
life" she replied. "Thore, dear, clear
it up, and look as if you had one friend
in the world. What money-lovers you
men arel"
"How much will it cost ?" inquired
Mr. Whitman.
There was another effort to look
cheerful and acquiescont.
ABOUT six pounds" was answered,
with just little faltering in the ladys
voice, for she knew the sum would be
extrnvagant.
"Six pounds! Why, Mary, do you
think ] am made of money!"
And Mr.. Whitman's countenanco
underwent q remarkable change of ex-
preston.
II declare, George" said his wife,
little impatiently, you look at me as
if were an object OF fear instead of
affection. don't think this is kind of
you. I've only had three silk dresses
since we were married, while Amy
Bright has had six Or seven during the
same time, and every ono Of hers cost
more than mine. know you think mo
extravagant, but wish you had o wife
like some women l could name. 1
rather think you would find out the
difference before long"
"There, there, pet, don't talk to mo
after this fashion ! I'll bring you the
money this evening, that is il"
mo Ifs nor butts, ii you please. Tho
sentence is complete without them
Thank you, d'arl I'll go this afterl-..
and buy tho silk. So don't fail to
the money. was in - street y
d.y, and saw ono of tho sweetest
terms l ever belleld. just suits my stylc
and complexion. shall be incor'
able if it's gone. You won't disapp
me-"
And Mrs. Whitman laid her sol
white hand on the arm of her husbnn'i
nnd smiled with sweet persuasion in his
fnce.
"Oh, no. You shall have the money" ."
said Mr.. Whitman, turning of from his
wife, as she lhpught, a little abruptly,
and hurTying from her presence.
In this precipitation he had forgotten
the usual parting kiss.
"That's the way it is always p said
Mrs Whitman, her whole manner chang
ing, as the sound of tho closing street
door came iarring upon her ears. Just
say money to George, and OF once
there is cloud in the sky"
She sat down, pouting and half angry.
"Six pounds for a new dress |" men
tally ejncnlated the husband of the
vain. pretty and thoughtless Mrs. Whit
man, as lie shut tho door after him. II
promised to settle the coal merchants
bill today, but / don't know where the
money is to come from. The coal is
nearly out, and more must be ordered.
Oh, dear I'm discouraged. Every year
fall behindhand. This winter / did
hope to get little in advance; but if
silk dresses ore to be the order of the
day. there's an end to that devoutly-
- 10 .,scI,ol Co.. of,o,, ,ato,ao nobt
debt how have always shrunk from
it But steadily, now, it is overpower-
ing me- Oh, if could but disentaugle
myself now, while have the strength
of early manhood; but the bonds that
hold me are weak. If Mary could see
as l see-if 1 could only mako her
understand rightly my position Alas,
that is hopeless, 1 fear" {
And Mr.. Whitman quickened his
steps, because his heart beat quicker,
and his mind was unduly excited.
Not long after Mr.. Whitman had left
home, the postman delivered letter to
his address. His wife examined the
writing on the envelope, which was in
bold hand, and said to herself as she
did so, II wonder who this can be
from 2" -
Something moro than curiosity moved
her. There intruded on her mind q
vague feeling of disquiet, as if the mis-
sive bore unpleasant news for her hus.
band. The stamp showed it to be O
city letter. Several times of late sucL
letters had come TO his address, and she
noticed that he read them hurriedly,
thrust them, without remark, into bis
pocket, and became suddenly silent an(
gloomy. - u = -
Mrs. Whitman turned the letter over
and over again in her hand, in a
thoughtful way, and as she did so, the
image of her husband, soher-faced and
silent as he had become for most of the
Time OF lac, prescn ed itself with
unusual viv dness Sympathy stole into
her heart
"Poor George" she said, as the
feeling increased ."Tm afraid some
thing is going wrong with him."
Placing the letterS on the mantel.