The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-07-09
a SECOND EES0ySsFET.

|'f i' go " '''E'' ~ 'RHN' VIZ
husband. with an attempt 10 smile. that
was anything but a success.
'Ics. sober as a man on trial for his
life, she replied. There, dear, clear it
up, and look as if you had one friend in
the world. What money-loycrs you men
arcr'
'IIow much Will it cost 2" inquired Mr.
Whitman.
There was another effort to look cheerful
and acquiescent.
about six pounds, ? was answered, will
just a little faltering in the lady's voice.
for she knew the sum would be extrava-
giant.
six pounds. Why, Mary. do you think
/ am made of money!"
And Whitman's conntcnancc underwent
n remarkable change Of expression.
Il declare, George, said his wife, d lit
tie impatiently, you look at me as if
| don't think this kind Of you. I've only
had three silk dresses since We were mar
ried, while Amy Bright has had six OF
seven during the same time, and every one
hers cost more than mine. I know you
think me extravagant, but | wish you had
Il wife like some women | could name.
rather think yen would find out the differ
enco before long"
There, there, pet, don'ttalk to ne after
this fashion! III bring the money this
evening, that is if
enc ifs or buts, if you please. The son
tence is complete without them. Thank
you, dear! I'll go this afternoon and buy
the silk. So don't fail to bring The money.
| was in -s street yesterday, and saw one
OF the sweetest patterns | ever beheld.
just suits my style and complexion /
shall be inctnsolable il its gone lou
won't disappoint me-
And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft. white
hand on the arm of her husband and smiled
with sweet persuasion in his face.
"Ob, no. You shall have the money,
said MI. Whitman. turning off from his
wife as she thought, Il little abruptly, and
hurrying from her presence.
In his precipitation he mad forgotten tho
usual parting kiss.
That's the way it is always! said Mrs.
Whitman, her whole manner changing, as
the sound of the closing street door came
jarring upon her ears. 'tJust say money
to George and at once there Is a cloud in
the sky"
She sal down, pouting and half angry.
six pounds for a new dress" mentally
calculated The husband Of the vain, pretty
and tloughtless Mrs. Whitman, as She shut
the door after him. Il promised 10 settle
the coal merchants bill to-day, bal don't
know where the money is to come from.
The coal is nearly out, and more must be
ordered. oh. dearl I'm discouraged.
Every year. fall behindhand. This winter
| did hope to get a little in advance; but il
silk dresses are to be the order Of the day,
there's an end to that devoutly-to-be-wisb
ed for circumstance. Debt-dcbt, how !
have always shrunk from it! But steadily,
now, it is ovcrpowering me. Oh, if | could
but d%isentangln myself now, while | have
the strength of carly manhood; bnt the
bonds that hold me are weak. If Mary
eonld see as | see-if could only make hel
understand rightly my position Alas,
that is hopeless, | fear.
And Mr.. Whitman quickened his steps,
because his heart beat quicker, and his
mind was unduly excited.
NJ I,N, flor NJ, Nbifpaap tad lift
home, the postman delivered a letter to his
address. His wife examined the writing ON
the envelope, which was in a bold hand,
and said to herself as she did SO, i Won
der who this can be from ."
Something more than curiosity moved
her. There intrudcd on her mine a vague
feeling Of disquiet. as if the missiye bore
unpleasant news for her husband. The
stamp showed it to be a city letter. Sev-
eral times of late sucli letters had come to
his address, and she noticed that he read
them hurriedly, thrust them, without re-
mark, into his pocket, and became sudden
~ silent and gloomy.
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. sober-faced and silent as he had
become Tor most of the time Of late, pre-
scnted itself with unusual vividness. Syn
pathy stole into her heart.
Poor George she said, as the feeling
increased; I'm afraid something is going
wrong with him"
Placing the letter on the mantcl piece,
where her husband could see it when he
came in, Mrs. Whitman entered upon some
household duties; but a strange impression,
as of a weight, lay upon her heart-a sense
of impending ovil-a vague, troubled dis
turbance Of her usual inward Sclf-satisfae
tion.
lfthe thought Of Mrs. Whitman recurrcd,
as was natural, to the elegant silk dress Of
which She was to become the owner on that
day, she did not feel the proud satisfaction
her vain heart experienced a little while be-
fore. Something Of lis beauty had faded,
'IfI only knew What that letter. contain
ed,i She said, half an hour after It had
come in, her mind still feeling the pressure
which had come upon 1t SO STRANGELY, as it
seemed to her.