Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-06-21
A Second Thought.

the husband, with an attempt to
smile, that was anything but sue
cess.
eyes, sober as man on trial for
his hfe." she replied. "There, dear,
clear it up, and look as if you had
one friend in the world. What mon
ey-lovers you men are '
''How much will it cost?" inquired
Mr.. Whitman.
There was another effort to look
cheerful and acquiescent.
"About six pounds,'' was answer
ed, with just a little faltering in the
lady's voice, for she knew the sum
would be extravagant.
"Six pounds! Why, Mary, do you
think am made of money!"
And Mr.. Whitman's conntenance
underwent remarkable change of
expression.
81 declare, George said his wife,
a 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 sew
en- during the same time, and every
one of hers cost more than mine. |
know you think me eXtravagant, but
l wish you had wife like some wo-
men [ could name. | rather think
you would find out the difference be-
fore long"
There, there, pet, don't talk to
me after this fashion! I'll bring you
the money this evening, that is if"
"No ifs nor butts if you please.
The sentence is complete without
them. Thank you, dear! III 60
this afternoon and buy the silk. SO
don't fail to bring the money. | was
in-street yesterday, and saw one
of the sweetest patterns | ever be-
held. Just suits my style and CON-
plexion. / shall be inconsolabe if
it's gone. You won't disappoint
me?"
And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft,
white hand on the arm of her hus
band and smiled with sweet persua-
sion in his face.
''Oh, no. You shall have the
money!" said Mr. Whitman, turning
off from his wife, as she thought, a
little abruptly, and hurrying from
her presence.
In this precipitation he had forgot
ten the usual parting kiss.
That's the way it is always y
said Mrs. Whitman, her whole man.
ner changing, as the sound of the
closing street door came 'arring upon
her ears. "Just say money to
George, and at once there is cloud
in the sky"
She sat down, pouting and half an
CRY.
''Six pounds for new dress y
mentally calculated the husband of
the vain, pretty and thoughtless Mrs.
Whitman, as he shut the door after
him, II promised to settle the coal
merchants bill to-day, but don't
know where the money is to come
from. The coal is nearly out, and
N ore must be ordered. Oh, dear!
am discouraged. Every year [ fall
behindhand. This winter | did hope
to get little in advance; but if silk
dresses are to be the order of the
day, there's an end to that devoutly
to- be- wished-for circumstance. Debt.
debt, how ! have always shrunk from
it But steadily, now, it is overpow.
ering me. Oh, if / could but Olsen.
tangle myself, now, while | have the
strength of early manhood; but the
bonds that hold me are weak. II
Mary could see as | see-lf / coulC
only make her 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.
Not long after Mr.. Whitman hai
left home, the postman delivered {
letter to his address. His wife ex
amined the writing on the envelope
which was in bold hand, and sale
| to herself as she did so, 81 wonder
who this can be from?'
Something more than curiosity
moved her. There intruded on hel
mind vague feeling of disquiet, as
if the missive bore unpleasant news
for her husband. The stamp showed
it TO be city letter. Several times
; of late such letters had come to his
address, and she noticed that he rea6
them hurriedly, thrust them, without
remark, into his pocket, and became
suddenly 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-fac-
ed and silent as he had become fO1
most of the time of late, presented
, itself with unusual vividness. Sym
pathy stole into her heart.
"Poor George!'' she said, as the
feeling increased; 81 N afraid some
thing is going wrong with him."
Placing the letter on the mantel-
; piece, where her husband could see
it when he came in, Mrs. Whitman
entered upon some household duties
but a strange impression, as of