The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-07-02

your old self, and cannot help feeling
seriously uneasy about you. What does
it mean?"
To Mrs. Brandon's surprise her friend,
instead Of answering. only burst into
tears and buried her face in her hand
lercl,ief. Evidently, thought Mrs.
Brandon, the once gay and sprightly
Ada 1saacs was very changed indeed.
Come. Ada" she said. drawing her
chair closer, and taking one of her
friends bands. You have something on
your mind. thought so before; now
am sure of it. Tell me all about it. 1t
will do you good to contide in some one,
and You and l have never had a secret
from one another during the last twenty
years. Is it ANYTHING to do with Tom 2"
NO, moulded it isn't! Pray don't
think that" sobbcd Mrs. Partington.
We'll, that's mercy" Observed
Mrs. Brandon. Then it must be
something to do with yourself What
is it,"
There was short pause, during
which Mrs. Partington's sobs slightly
subsidized.
Nell" she said presently, lit is all
your fault"
My fault, dear!" exclaimed Mrs.
Brandon.
Your fault" repeated Mrs. Parting
ton. 1T has all come of your introdnc-
ing me to that hateful Pompadour Club.
Oh, how wish had never entered the
place."
You don't mean to say" Mrs.
Brandon paused and looked at her
friend.
Il mean to say that, unknown to
Tom. l have been playing there every
afternoon, and losing constantly, until
oh, Nell, promise-swear that you
will not tell Tom this!'
"Of course not. Have we ever be-
trayed one another's confidence, dear
But you must promise me something,
too. Promise that you will tell Tom.
Il? Oh, Nell, you don't know what
you are asking. You have not heard
all yet. l would not have Tom know
it for the world. Rather than that l
Mrs. Partington's sobs had burst
forth again with renewed force. Sud
denly she sank back on the sofa with a
cry of pain which alarmed her friend.
Perceiving that she was really i'll Mrs.
Brandon summoned assistance. Many
minutes did not elapse before one o!
the servants was hurrying off for a
doctor.
Very shortly after the arrival of tha.
functionary, Mrs Brandon herself lett.
She drove direct to the club where Tom
/ Partington occasionally called of an
afternoon on his way home from the
city. By good luck he was there now,
and the message which Mrs. Brandon
sent in quickly brought him to her car
riage door. A very few words passed
between them, but enough to make
| Toms face grow to twice its norma
length.
Il will be off at once" he said.
DO" replied Mrs. Brandon. "Bu
mind, not word yet! Not until she i:
quite we'll again"
Trust met" cried Tom. He was al
ready halling a passing hanson, and
with a hurried bow to Mrs Brandon he
t jumped into it.
the steps and rang the door bell sharply
1t was opened in about half second b,
the cook, who, with look OF deep i'm
rortance on her face, gasped out
"Please, sir. will you he as quiet as DOS
sib,e. And-and-it's boy."
Before her bewildered master hat
time to make any inquiries relative t.
this information the doctor, who hat
been descending the stairs when he en-
tered, came up to him and shook hin
10y the hand.
Il must congratulate you. my dea
SIR" he said. ION the birth of a remark
ably fine son. l am glad to tell you
too. that Mrs. Partington is going OF a
well as can be expected. But she i
naturally very weak. SO if you go t,
see her do not stop more than a minut'
or allow her to talk. ANYTHING cal
culated to excite her must be most care
fully avoided. l will call in again late
and see how she is progressing"
Under these circumstances Mr.. Part
ington was compelled to abandon for b.
present the hope which he had enter
tanned of inducing his wife to contide t.
him the trouble which seemed to hay
recently oppressed her. He accordipgl,
restrained his patience as best he could
and waited until her strength shoul,
return. At the end of the week, how
ever, it was evident that Mrs. Parting
ton was only mending very slowly, ant
the doctor was by no means sati,fie,
with her progress. Indeed, he expresse,
his conviction to the husband that some
thing was weighing on his patient
mind. the removal of which was es
sential to her complete recovery. Afte
this Tom resolved to endeavor at til
earliest opportunity to come to an uu
derstanding with his wife.
} So, on the same afternoon, as he sa
by his wife's bedside, with one of he
hands in his, he said kindly, Ada, N
dear, YOU have something on you
mind"
A quick flush overspread her pal
face, and she ayerted her gaze, mul
, muring in a confused tone, "Wha
makes you fancy that, Tom?"
: "The eyes of love arc quick to sc
, such thing-," replied her husband ter
derly, rs he stroked her head with hi
| disengaged hand. Did you think
failed to remark it inst now, when. q
r your glance fell on the little one ther.
, groan escaped your lips? And yo
: have shown by many other signs thu
; something is troub ing you"
: "Oh, Tom," she cried suddenl,
l leaning forward and hiding her face o
his shoulders. You will not speak S
r kind y when you know the truth. VI
+ l must tell you mv-my husband. Yo
f have been so kind and gentle that
0 cannot deceive You any longer, but tr,
Tom. .'-pleadingy-@not to be yer
Y angry with me-"
3 "There is no fear Of that" said Tol
t encouragingly. Come, iitt'e woma,
0 let us have the murder out"
l "Ah, YOU do not know what it is" ST
r went on in remorseful tones, "else yo
r would not treat it SO lightly. Oh. Ton
: Tom, I-1-have lost my fortune"
"How did you manage that?"