Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-01-21
TEARS TURNED TO SMILES.
BY JEFFIE FoRBUsH HANAFoRD.

Those little tffs that sometimes cast shade
On wedlock oft are love in masquerade,
"Once, d for all, Elsie, l can OF CO."
Royce Lonsdale put down his cup, not very
gently, and glanced at his wife, as he made
the above remark.
They we're seated in their cozy little
breakfast room, surrounded by all the com.
forts of charming and beautiful home.
Elsie returned his glance with decided
frown on her pretty faceas she threw the
letter she had been reading down on the
table.
Its really too provoking, Royce. You
can not spare the time to 90 anywhere. One
would think we had been married six years
instead of six months. Violet writes they
expect TO have a lovely time. Ned isn't
afraid to leave his business. Oh, want to
go so much! | am sure you could arrange
it ii you were half mind to-" Elsie
paused for breath, and waited expectantly
for reply. but received none.
Royce evidently con .idered the subject
settled, and proceeded to finish his break
fast with unimpaired appetite.
Passing up his cup for a second cup of
coffee, he discovered his wife's eyes filled
with tears, and that she was eating little or
nothing.
"Do be reasonable, Elsie" Royce spoke
rather impatently. 81 would be very glad
to take you if it were possible for me to
get away this week. But it really is-as
said before-qute impossible"
After saying this Royce left the table
and put his ann atfectionately around his
wife. But Elsie was in no mood for caress-
es, and snatching her hands away from him
she suddenly left the room, with that in
evitable slam of the door that is absolutely
necessary when one is thoroughly angry.
Elsie, when she quarreled with any one
she loved. was bound to cry; so the next
ten minutes were spent in tears.
Royce, feeling very angry with every
thing in general, and his wife in particu-
lar, snatched up his hat and departed for
his Office.
After the lapse of half an hour, Elsie
felt thoroughly ashamed of herself, and
wished she had not let her temper get the
upper hand of her; that she had not said
so many unkind things to her husband. At
that instant the little French clock chimed
out s o'clock, and Elsie sprang to her feet,
hastily opened the door, and hurried toward
the breakfast-room.
Eight o'clock, and Royce invariably
left the house for the Office at quarter
of s, and now, because she had given way
to her temper, he would of course, be late.
The door stood ajar. Elsie pushed it
open and glanced in expecting to see Royce
sitting there in detected attitude. But
instead the room was empty. Gone! Elsie
could not realize it. Indeed, she would not
believe it. But careful search of the house
proved that he was really gone. And with
out kissing her good-by. The first time he
had failed to do so since their marriage
What should she do? Elsie was unde-
cided.
The low French window opened on to
reranda that ran entirely around the
house. and as it stood invitingly open, she
obeyed sudden impulse and went out.
AS she did so something white caught her
eye-a letter laying on the steps that led
down to the delightful little garden, where
the roses. pink white, and crimson, sent up
their sweet fragrance.
Elsie picked it up, her thoughts too
busy with the events of the morning to
wonder why it was there or who could have
dropped it.
Turning it carelessly over in her hand
her eye caught her husbands name. With
trembling hands she opened it out and
read the following:
"SEPT. 18th, 1887.
FRIEND ROYCE-Yours received, and
gladly undertake your commission. | am
surprised at what you wrote. | will do my
best for you. l do not see the lady very
often. The whole affair is quite romantic
| can remember the time when every one
here expected you would marry her. and
you surprised every one by doing nothin!
of the sort. She always appears sad of
late, and, now you have told me the reason.
pity her. If she consents to forget and
forgive, myself will take trip into Lon
don this week and see her safely to vour
Office. Sincerely yours,
"KENT HALLETT.
Elsie read it through to the end. Hel
heart seemed to stand still. She crushed
the paper in her tightly clenched hand, and
trembled with excitement. Who was this
girl her husband was so interested in?
This, then, was the reason he could not
leave his business. She understood it all
now. What should she do?
Her heart ached as young hearts only
Can ache.
Again she read the letter, standing
there on the broad yeranda, the sunlight
falling on her slim, girlish figure in its
pale-blue morning dress, glinting like sill
yer from her nut brown hair and falling
pityinoly on the sweet, pale face bent over
that fatal letter.
She could never be happy again.
Once more she turned her attention to
the letter and read it through for the third
time. Then she quickly entered the house.
and, changing her pretty morning dress for
Il udlh Sllcct suit, WIS SOON WulklnI rapidly
in the direction of her husb bands Office.
Let lis now follow i,oyce. IjeTore he bad
reached his office he felt sorry he had lef,
home without bidding Este good-by. lie
blamed himself for all the trouble. If he
had only explained to her why he could
not leave at this particular time, everything
would have been all right. But he wanted
TO wait until tie whole affair was settled
before he told her. Never mind" he
said TO himself; II will go home early to
dinner and make it all up.
Then his attention WAS attracted by q
letter lying on his desk.
From kent" he exclaimed, as he
quickly read it through.
Then, taking up his pen, he hastily wrote
the following note:
my DEAR LITTLE WIFE-Forgive me
Tor going away without my good-by kiss.
III be home early to dinner. Got some
good news for you. You may write Nio'et
that We will join the party. Will explain
more fully when l see you. Your loving
"RoYCT."
Calling the office-b boy, he mt him of
W tn the note, just as the door opened to
admit a gentleman, who grasped Royce's
ou;stretched hand as though he would
never let it so.
Royce, old friend, how can thank you
for all you have done for me?"
by being true 10 yourself IN the future,
Arthur, replied Royce, earnestly.
Arthur Gwendon sank down inc a chair
and rested his head on his hand. what |
Of Millie? Tell me about my wife, Royce. !