Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-07-07
A QUEER STORY.

A QUEER SIUR4.
When that particularly shrewd and bus
ness-like young man, Mr. homas Parting
ton, joined himself to Ada, relict Of
the late Isaac Abraha, rs, his friends
evlnced considerable surprise at the step.
Inc widow was, indeed, as they confessed
young and fascinating, and had, more
over, inherited very substantial for
tune from her previous husband But
then she was dreadfully extravaqant in
her habits and had lately developed per-
feet mania for gambling. In fact, her
losses on the turf and at the card table
were becoming quite the talk of society,
and 1t is certain that, even during the
short period which elapsed between her
first usband's death and the date of her
second marriage her fortune must have
materially diminished by the drains she
made upon it, In another year or two at
her present rate, she would-so Toms
friends said-run through it altogether
And then he would find himself in the I'M
envtable position of having to support a
recklessly spendthrift wife entirely out of
his own pocket. A few of his greatest in
Inmates impressed this upon him before he
took the final plunge and urged him to
back out of his engagement ere it was too
late But Tom turned deaf ear to their
"NFASO. Lie was VOL muCu III love W1Cn
the charming widow. And besides,
he entertained strong hope that after
their union he should be able to reform or
at least control his wife's extravaganza.
Instead, therefore, of trying to cry off the
match he hurried it forward to the best of
his ability, in order that she might have
as short an interval as possible in which
to enjoy the unchecked expenditure of her
money.
Rut whan ho uroa M n rrIad n +bo Iod-- h.
found that his hope of being able to re-
form her had been decidedly chimerical
Self-willed and headstrong, she would
scarcely endure advice, much less any
semblance of restraint. So, after a few
months OF useless remonstrance, he gave
up all attempt at genuine reformation as
bad job, and had to content himself with
gance, or with throwing in their way such
feeble obstacles as he could These were
slight enough, for her fortune was entirely
at her own control. Still they were not
quite fruitlesS. And as time went on peo-
pie noticed that Mrs. Partington's gamb-
ling transactions were on much smaller
scale. Her best friends began to hope
that the instincts Of the mother were be-
ginning to assert themselves over the
cravings of the gambler, and that it was
thought for the little one, whom she was
soon expecting, that thus checked her in
her career Of mad extravaganza. It is
certain, at any rate that as time went for
ward, she grew every day more out Of
spirits; and nothing was more likely-for,
with all her faults, she was a soft-hearted
woman-than that she should be fretting
over her past selfish extravaganza, as a
sort of robbery perpetrated on her unborn
offspring. Perhaps, also, her weakened
physical condition contributed its quota to
this altered frame of mind. But, what
ever the reasons may have been, the fact
was undoubtedly there. And each day the
once light-hearted and reckless woman
grew more moody and depressed.
Tom appeared to notice this change in
his wife. His manner toward her, always
kind and attentive, became actually tende
In its consideration; ahd he tried his hard
est to soothe away her gathering depres-
sion Of spirits. ars-2c
His wife seemed to feel his considerate
tenderness very deeply, for several times,
as he sat beside her Of an evening, with
his arm thrown oaress1ngly round her,
she suddenly buried her face on his Shout
der, and burst into tears-like one whose
remorse is awakened by unmerited and
unlooked-for kindness. On each Of these
occasions, Tom felt by certain subtle and
impalpable instinct that his wife was on
the very verge of making some confession
perhaps of sorrow and regret for her de-
f1ant attitude towards him in the past.
But although by his comforting words
and soothing caresses he did his best to
invite her confidence. the confession which
he felt to be hanging on her lips never is
sued from them.
Meantime. what was so clear to her hus-
band did not escape the notice Of Mrs.
Partington's female friends. Of these she
had many, but by far the most favored and
confidential of them was Mrs. Brandon,
an old school-fellow with whom she had
kept up a lifelong intimacy. Mrs. Bran
don, who was at once very lively and a
highly sensible lady, had at an early
period detected the unusual gloom which
had come over her friends manner, and
rallied her upon taking her new position
80 seriously.
my dear Ada" she said at last, in the
course of an afternoon call, during which
Mrs. Darlington had been more dull than
ever, 81 should never have encouraged you
to accept Tom If I had foreseen what de-
plorable effect your second dose Of matri-
mony would have upon you. Do you know
that in the twenty minutes I have been
here, the only original observation you
have made was to ask me whether had
enough sugar? What is the matter with
you to-dayr
Mrs. Darlington muttered something
about "bad headache"
but have you always bad headache
nowadays?" continued Mrs. Brandon, more
seriously. ct should not have alluded tc
the subject If this were the first time that
have seen you thus. But for weeks
have observed you growing more and
more gloomy and depressed. You are get
ting quite unlike your old self, and I can
not 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 handkerchief
Evidently, thought Mrs. Brandon, the once
gay and sprightly Ada Isaacs was yer!
| changed indeed.
Come, Ada" she said, drawing her chail
| closer, and taking one of her friends hands
| you have something on your mind.
| thought so before; now I am sure of it
| Tell me all about it. It will do you good t.
| confide in someone, and you and 1 hav'
never had secret from one another dur
ing thelast twenty years. Is it anything tx
| do with Tom?''
"Non: no-indeedi it isn't! Pray don't thinl
thatl" sobbed Mrs. Partington.