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

Wnlle DeIOre. SOmeLnlng OF ltS Deau-
ty had faded.
eff l only knew what that letter
contained" she said, half an hour
after it had come in, her mind still
feeling the pressure which had come
upon it so strangely, as it seemed to
her.
She went to the mantel-pieee, took
up the letter and examined the su-
prescription. 1t did not enlighten
her. Steadily she became more as
sured that it's contents were of a ma
ture to trouble her husband.
"He's been little mysterious of
late." she said to herself. The idea
affected her very unpleasantly. ''He
grows more silent and reserved she
added, as though under kind of fe-
verish excitement, became active in
a new direction. 'sMore contempla-
tive, as it were, and less interested
IN what goes on around him. His
coldness chills me at times, and his
irritation pains me.
She drew long, deep sigh. Then,
with an almost startling vividness,
came before her mind in contrast,
her tender, loving. cheerful husband
of three years before, and her quiet,
silent, sober faced husband of to-
day.
"Something has gone wrong with
him this yearn' she said aloud, as
feeling grew stronger. ''What can
it be?" The letter was still in her
hand. "This may enlighten me-"
With careful fingers she opened
the envelope, not breaking the paper,
so ii hat she could seal it again if she
desired to do so. There was bill
for fifteen pounds, and a communica-
tiOn from the person sendlng the
bill. He was a jeweler.
.'If this is not settled at once,' he
wrote, 81 shall take proceedings. 1t
has been standing for nearly year,
and l am tired of getting excuses in
stead of my money
The bill was for lady's watch,
which Mrs. Whitman had almost
compelled her husband to purchase.
Not paid for Is it possible ?"
exclaimed the little woman, in great
astonishment, while the blood mount
ed to her forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light
began 10 come into her mind. AS
she sat thus thinking, second letter
for her husband came in. She open
ed it without hesitation. Another bill
and another dunning letter!
mot paid Is it possihle?' she
repeated.
1t was bill of four pounds fol
boots and slippers, which had been
standing for three or four months.
This will never do y said the as
tonished wife-"never-no, never p
She thrust the two letters into hel
pocket in a resolute way, and from
that hour until the return of her hus-
band she did an unusual amount OF
thinking for her little brain. She
saw, the moment he entered, that the
morning. cloud had not passed from
his brow.
"Here is the money for that new
Dress" he SAID, taking it from his
vest pocket and handing it to her as
he came In.
He did not kiss her, nor smile il
the old, bright way. But his voice
was calm, if not cheerful. A kiss
and smile just then would have
been more precious to the young
wife than a hundred silk dresses
She took the money, saying, "ThanI
you, dear! 1t is kind OF you to com
ply with my wishes.
Something in her voice and man
ner caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his
eyes to her face with look of inqui
ry. But she turned aside, so that he
could not read it's expression.
He was graver and more silen
than usual, and ate with scarcely ar
appearance of appetite.
"Come home early, dear sale
Mrs. Whitman, as she walked to the
door with her husband.
"Are you impatient to have me ad
mire your new silk dress?'' he asked
with faint effort to smile.
eyes. 1t will be something splen.
did, she replied.
He turned off from her quickly and
left the house. A few moments she
stood with thoughtful countenance,
and her whole manner completely
changed. Then she went to her room,
and commenced dressing to go out
Two hours later, and we find her in
the jewelers. shop.
"May l speak q word to you? p
she said, addressing the owner, who
knew her very we'll.
Certainly" he replied, and they
moved to the lower end of one of the
long glass cases.
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pock-
ct lady's watch and chain, and lay
ing them on the glass case, said, at
the same time holding out the bill
she had taken from the envelope ad-
dressed to her husband:
81 cannot afford to wear this watch /;
my husbands circumstances are too
limited. I tell you so frankly. 1t
never should have been purchased !;
but too indulgent husband yielded
81 -