The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-06-18

Il
her husband.
He's been little mysterious of
late" she said to herself. This idea
affected her very unpleasantly. He
grows more silent and reserved" she
added, as thought, under kind of
feverish excitement. became active in q
new direction. more contemplatiye,
rs it were, and less interested in what
goes OH around him. His GOODNESS
chills me at times, and his irritation
pains me-"
She drew a long, deep sigh. Then.
with an almost startling vividness. came
before her mind in contrast, her tender,
loving, cheerful husband of three years
before, and her quiet, silent, sober faced
husband of to-day.
Something has gone wrong with him
this year!' she said aloud, rs feeling
grew stronger. "What can it be?"
The letter was still in her hand. This
may enlighten me-"
With careful fingers she opened the
envelope. not breaking the paper, so
that she could seal it again il she desir-
ed to do SO. There was bill for fifteen
pounds, and communication from tho
person sending the bill. He was Jew
eler.
IF this is not settled at once" he
wrote. II shall take proceedings. 1t
has been standing for nearly a year,
and am tired of getting excuses in
stead Of my money.
The bill was for o lady's watch,
which Mrs. Whitman had almost COM
pelled her husband to purchase.
mot paid for! Is it possible?" ex-
claimed the little woman, in great as
constituent, while the blood mounted
to her forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light
began to come into her mind. As she
sat thus thinking, second letter for
her husband came in. She opened it
without hesitation. Another bill! and
another dnning letter!
mot paid! Is it possiblep" she re-
peated.
1t was bill of four pounds for boots
and slippers, which had been standing
for three or four months.
''This will never dor said the as
tonished wife-''never-no ncvcr!' She
thrust the two letters into her pocket
in q resolute way, and from that hour
until the return of her husband she did
an unusual amount of thinking for her
little brain. She saw, the moment he
entered. that the morning cloud had
not passed from his brow.
''Hcre is the money for that new
DRESS" he said, taking it from his vest
pocket and handing it to her as he came
in.
He did not kiss her. nor smile in the
old, bright way. But his voice was
calm, if not cheerful. A Kiss and q
smile just then would have been more
precious to the young wife than hun
dred silk dresses. She took tho money,
saying: THANK yol,. dear! It Is kind
of you to comply with my wishes"
Something in her voice and manner
caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his eyes to
her face with o look of inquiry. But
she turned aside. so that he could not
read its expression.
He was graver and more silent than
usual, and ate with scarcely an appear
ance OF appetite.
Come home early, dear" said Mrs.
Whitman, as she walked to the door
with her husband.
care you impatient to have mo adj
mire your new silk dressp" he asked,
with faint effort to smile.
Eyes. 1t will be something splen-
did," she replied.
He turned off from her quickly, and
left the house. A few moments she
stood, with a thoughtful countenance,
and her whole manner completely
changed. Then she went to her room
and commenced dressing to 90 out.
Two hours later and we find her in the
jewelers. shop.
MAY ! speak a word to your she
said, addressing the owner, who knew
her very well.
Certainly" he replied, and they
moved to the lower end of one of the
glass cases.
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pocket
lady's watch and chain, and laying
them on the glass case, said, at the
same time holding out the bill she had
taken from the envelope addressed to
her husband:
II can not afford to wear this watch,
my husbands circumstances are too
limited. tell you SO frankly. 1t
should never have been purchased; but
too indulgent husband yielded to the
opportunities Of foolish young wife.
say this to take the blame from him.
Now, sir, meet the case. if you Gun do
so in fairness to yourself Take back
the watch and say how much Ishall pay
you beside"
The jeweler paused little to think.
Tho case took him a little by surprise.
He stood for nearly a minute; then TAX
ing tho bill and watch, he said, '.Wait
minute" and went to q desk.
Twill that do?"
He had come forward again, and now
presented her with the receipted bill.
His face wore pleasant expression.
"How much have to paw YOUR
asked Mrs. Whitman, taking out hel
pocketbook.
:, . "Nothingg'" he replied. Tho watch
'You have dono kind not, sir"
said Mrs Whitman, with trcmulous
voice. II hope you will not think un.
favorably of my husband. It's nc
fault of his that the bill has not been
paid. Good morning, sir.''
: Mrs. Whitman drew her veil ovel
, her face, and went with light step ant
, light heart from the shop. Tho pleas
ure she had experienced on receiving
her watch was not to be compared
with that which she now felt in parting
with it. From the jewelers. sho wen
J to the bootmaker's, and paid his bill
from thence TO her millcncr's, and set
tied for her lust bonnet.
t ri klow you're dying to see my new
, DRESS" said Mrs. Whitman. gayly, ~
, she drew her arm within that of he
, husband OH his appearance that eve
Q ming. "Come up stairs and let M
D show 1t. Come along! Don't han,
back, George, as if you were afraid"
: George Whitman went with his wifi
\ passively, looking more like a man OF
his way to receive dreadful sentence
: than in expectation of pleasant sight
\ His thoughts were bitter.
/ ''Shall my wife become lost to me,
. no said in his heart-''lOst to me in
world Of folly. fashion and extrava
! ranca2S