The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-01-15

truth. They did not live very happily TO-
gcthcr. He was rich, and so was She So
money was not what they wanted; and hc
was handsome and independent. and she
loved him SO much she wanted him entirely
to herself This led to quarrels; and one
day, after bitter dispute, they separated
He took me with him and moved uptown
into a fiat, while She shut up The house and
went to her home.
"Ah, me those were sad days 10 me and
sad to him, too. He kept himself so close
at home that there wasn't an hour of the
day that didn't see him. | couldn't com.
plain of neglect then He wound me
sometimes three or four times q day he
cause she owned me once. and | was
obliged to stop running four days at =
stretch 10 rest my handspring, which was
in danger of nervous prostration.
sic used to walk mp and down the fool
and talk to himself about his Phills. now
his no longer Then he would abuse his
pride. his haste, and his neglect until he
made my heart ache in turn. He loved her
more than he ever did, but he was toe
proud to GO to her and tell her so. SO he
remained in his rooms almost constantly
for nearly two months.
cone day he had been particularly low
spirited and, after pacing the floor restless
ly fer an hour or So he sat down at his
desk aud opened parcel Of letters. These
he laid before him, and slowly he began re-
reading them, although he knew them by
heart. From where | was standing | could
sec tears in hiseyes, and once in awhile they
would fall down on the letters and he made
no effort to restrain them. While he was
reading, and crying to himself, | heard a
knock at the door. 50 gentle that | thought
at first it might be in the next building.
In few minutes it was repeated, and
louder than before. But he didn't hear
anything then, so deeply cngrossed was he
in his letters. Then another knock came,
and in moment the door was gently open
ed, and I saw Phillis standing on the TIRES
hold. She waited a moment for him to
turn. but he hadn't even felt her presence.
Then, stepping softly to one side, she saw
what he was doing but she didn't see the
tears.
81 never noticed such change come
over woman's face; the love and tender
ness faded out and hard look took their
places instantly,
''She had caught him, ut last, reading
the letters which had caused the trouble
between Them and now size wonld see who
was their author. So she crept noiselcssly
mp to the back of his chair, while held my
breath and quit ticking. He bad a piece
of paper in his hands and was looking at it
reverentIy, as if it were something sacred.
Softly she reached his elbow, and with one
quick motion she snatehcd the paper from
his fingers and hastily tore it open.
cit was the rose she had given him the
night of their betrothal, withcrcd, dried.
and pcrlumclcss. a faded remembrance of
his happy past.
'Jackr she cried, as the paper fell from
her hand. Jack, can you forgive me- .
'Phillis, my own wife, lie exclaimed,
and covered my face with my hands. =
''Vat became off here" inquired the poet,
as the clock stopped tn wipe a tear from its
eye.
"'What became Of hero repeated the
clock Indignantly. ''No wonder yon have
been reading that same page ten years
without finishing it. No wonder you don't
speak the language any better than yo, do
Why, don't you rceollccl the funeral a
month ago."
VA responded the poet. somewhat
abashed at his want of observation.
'Wcll, replied the clock, with emotion,
''that was hers. "
As the clock ended the sentence there
came from within sob which shook his
brassy interior FROM winding stem to PIN
ion and started his alarm with 4 rattle and
clatter thai were positively deaiening
''Bcss me - exclaimed the man. as he
started from his couch. "What can have
gotten into that little clock? thought
heard it speak of Phillis.
Tick! tick. tick" replied the clock
''Ticlz, tick