Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-03-19
herself and remove all traces Of her

herself and remove all traces Of her
trouble.
The visitor was the worst possible
one she could have under the circum-
stances. Crowding herself on terms OF
tho closest intimacy with the pretty bride,
who with her husband had moved into
the village twelvemonth previous, Miss
Elvira Simmons had made the very most
OF her opportunities, and by dint OF
making great parade over helping her In
some domestic work, such as house
keeping, dressmaking and the like,
the maiden lady had damaged to ply
her other vocation, that Ok news-gatherer.
at one and the same time pretty effect
ually.
She always called her by her first
name, though Betty resented 1t; and
she made a great handle of her friend
ship on every occasion, making John
rage violently and vow thousand times
the "old maid should walk
But she never had--and now, seeming
dimly, like carrion after its prey, that
trouble might come to the pretty little
| white house, the make-mischief had
come to do her work II devastation had
really commenced.
been cryingr' she said. "Only folks
do say that you and your husband don't
i've Hhppy-Dut III L WOuiuu uliuu-
| l know faint your fault"
Betty's heart stood STILL Had 1t come
to this? John and she not to live happily I!
To be sure they didn't, as she remem-
bered with q pang the dreadful scene of
| words and hot tempers but had 1t gotten
| around so soon-a story In everybody 9
MOUTH With all her distress Of mind
she was saved from .penng her mouth.
SO Miss SimmoL .aiiing In that, was
forced to go on.
AN tell folks So she said, rocking
herself back and forth tos witness the
effect OF her words, when they git to
taikin', so you can't blame me IL things
don't go easy for you, I'm sure"
"You tell folks so?" repeated Betty,
vaguely. What? don't understand
you"
Why, that the blame Is all his'n,
cried the old maid. exasperated at hel
strange mood and her dullness. II say
says I. why they couldn't no one live
with him, let alone that pretty wife he's
got. That's what / say, Betty. Ant
then, tell EN- what queer man he is
how cross, and"
things of my husband?" cried Betty
drawing herself up to her extremes
height, and towering so over the ole
woman In the chair that she jumped II
confusion at the storm she had raised
and stared blindly into the blazing eye
and face rosy with Indignation. Her onl,
thought was how to get away from tn
storm she had raised, but could moi
stop.
But she was forced to stay, for Bett
stood just In front Of the chair, AM
blocked up the way, SO she skunk bacl
into the smallest corner Of 1t and tool
it as best she could.
my husbandr' cried Betty. 18th
best, the kindest, the noblest husban
that ever was given to a woman. "
made him more trouble than you ca
guess; my hot temper has vexed him
I've been cross, impatient. and"
Hold T. cried avoce, you're talkin
against my wife," and in moment bi
John Peabody rushed through the dool
grasped the little woman in his arm.
and folded her to his heart.
"Oh !" said Miss Simmons. sitting u
straight and setting her spectaclcs MOI
firmly.
And now that you've learned all tn,
you can." said John. turning round
or, still holding Betty. "why-you mo
got'
The chair was vacant. A dissolvil
, view through the door was all THAT W
. to be seen Of the gossip, who started
! the road hurrie'ily, leaving peace benin
Betty" said John, some half no
-. afterward, "what was the sigh fori
don't care now, but I did think, des