The Wilmingtonian., 1886-06-26
A Second Thought.

anything but success.
eyes, sober as a man on trial for his life, y
she replied. "There, dear, clear it up, and
look as if you had one friend in the world.
What money-lovers you men are -
slow much will it cost?" inquired Mr..
Whitman
There was another effort to look cheerful
and acluiescent.
"About six pounds, was answered, with
just little lalterng in the lady's voice, for
she know the sum would be extravagant
''Six pounds Why, Mary, do you think
am made of money 2"
And Whitmau's countenauce unde went "A
remarkable change of expression.
II declare, George" said his wife, little
impatieutly, "you look at me as if were an
object of fear instead of affection. | don 't
think this kind Of you. I've only had three
silk dresses since we were married, while
Amy Bright has had six .: seven dutiug the
same time, and every one Of hers cost more
than mine. | know you think me extrava.
giant, but | wish you had wife like some
women could name. | rather think you
would find out the difference before 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 sen
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. l was in
- street yesterday, and saw one of the
sweetest p. erns ever behed. Just suits
my style and complexion. l shall be incor-
solable if it IS gone. You won't disappoint
me?'
And Mis-. Whitman laid her soft, while
hand ON the arm of her husband aud smiled
with sweet persuasion in his face
"Oh, no, You shall have the money"
said Mr.. Whitman, turning off from his wife
as she thought, little abruptly, and hurry
ing from her presence.
In this precipitation he had forgotten the
usual parting kiss.
That's the way it is always y said Mrs.
Whitman, her whole manner ohanging,a as the
sound of the closing street door came jaring
upon her ears "Just say money to George
and at once there is cloud in the sky"
She sat down, pouting and half angry
six pounds for new dress" 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 more must be
ordered. Oh, dear I'm discouraged.
Every year fall behindhanl. 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 tdevoutly- y-to-be- wished
for circumstance. Debt-debt! how have
always shIunk from it I! But steadily, now,
it is oveipowering me. Oh, if | could but
disentangle myself now, while | have the
strength OF early manhood but the bonds
that hold me are weak. If Mary could sec
as see-ifI could only make her under.
staud rightly my position Alas, that j.
hopeless, fear"
Aud MIR. Whitman quickened his steps
because his heart beat quicker and hii
mind was unduly excited.
Not long after Mr.. Whitman bad left
home, the postman delivered a letter to hi
address His wife examined the writing o.
tie envelope, which was in a bold hand, ant
said to herself as she did SO, 81 wonder ~ht
this can be from ~
Something more than curiosity moved her
There iutruded on her mind vague feeling
81, - ~, ~ mi lGlI !
news for her husband. The stamp showe'
it to be city letter. Several times Of lat'
such letters had come to his address, ant
she noticed that he read them hurriediy
thlust them, without remark mt
his pocket, aud besane sldd nly silent
and gloomy.
MIS-. Whitman turned the letter over an,
over again in her hand, in a thoughtful wa,
and as she did s the image of her HUSBAND
sober faced aud silent as he hal become 10
most or the time of late, presented itself wit
unusual vividucss. Sympathy stole into lie
heart.
"Poor Geurge - she said, as the fceliuI
ncreaNd 'l'n afraid something is gon
wrong with him"
Placing The letter on the mantel-p!ece, wher
her husband could see it when he a n
in, MIS-. Whitman e.teI ed upon some house
hold duties but a strange impression, as 6
weight, lay upon her heart-a sense of in
pending evi!-a vague, troubled disturbanc
of her usual inward self-satsfaction.
If the thought of Mrs. Whitman recurrct
as was natural, TO the elegant silk dress {
which she was to become the owner on tlia
day, she did not feel the proud satsfacti"
her vain heart experienced lit lie while b'
fore. Something of its beauty had faded.
"If only knew what that letter contair
ed y she said, half an hour after it ha
come iu, her mind still feeling the PIE SUI
which Lad come upon it so strangely, as
seemed I" her.
She went to the mantelpiece, took up IL
letter, anil examined the superscripton.
d d not enlighten her. Steadily she becan
more assured that it's contents were Of Iii
ture to trouble her husband.
"!Ie's been little mysterious OF late,
she said to herself. The idea affected HI
very unplea>antly. ''He grows more silel
and reserved, " She added, as though, und
kind uf leverish excitement, became act;'
in new direction. more contemplativ
as il were, and less interested in what go
on around him. His coldness ch lis me