The Dickinson press., 1891-12-05

in the same undesirable condition Of
mind. Things had gone so decidedly
wrong with him all the week that he
felt he could not withhold much longer
his Indignation at fate, or whatever it
was that had proved sufficiently in
terested in his affairs in general, and
himself in particular, to be guilty OF
having caused to happen an innumer-
able number OF events calculated to
vex and annoy him. He hoped that
fate, or whatever it was, derived the
required amount OF pleasure from the
fact of his being vexed and annoyed
For himself, he would have experience
ed an immeasurable amount OF re-
lief could he have been granted the
privilege of breaking down, trampling
upon and entirely destroying every
thing breakable and destroyable in
the house.
Mrs. Bagly's anger was no less real
and intense, albeit more reconventlonal.
Her feelings had been wrought up to
such an extent by household troubles
that she felt she must have satisfac-
tion out of some one and who was
the proper person if not her husband?
For what had she married him? She
was in that admirable frame OF mind
in which she wished some one would
try to pet her, that she might have
the delicious pleasure of refusing to be
petted. She saw Mr.. Bagly was angry,
but didnot care. What right had he
to be SO when she was? Ladies first
always.
Mr.. Bagly perceived there was some
thing unusual in the manner of his
wife, but would not condescend to
investigate. He must be inquired
into now. He glared savagely at
everything on the table in turn and
chewed his food very much after the
manner of O camel, under the impress
sion that it made him look fierce. He
did not deign to taste his tea, but
swallowed a quantity, which ofcourse
burned his mouth and added new
heat to choler. He did not care to
open hostilities, but waited to be
reused; then he would overwhelm her
petty passion with the very immensity
of his own. He would lay bare the
tragic side of his nature Ii she stirred
him up as he hoped she might.
Mrs. Bagly was impatient to begin.
She was afraid she might forget some
of the things she wanted to say.
"James," she said, firmly.
James stared at her with a fixed,
stony kind of stare.
"James, would like to know what
your intentions are regarding Jane?"
"Mrs. Bagly," he replied, with the
calmness usually preceding a storm
II am not aware that ever enter.
tained any intentions in any way con
nected with or concerning Jane"
Mrs. Bagly drew a long breath and
closed her mouth firmly, as if storing
air for seige.
II am quite prepared to hear it. Tc
tell the truth, expected it,"
May l inquire then, madame, as
you know SO clearly what my answer
would be, the reason you asked?"
She was not at all discomposed by
this brilliant sally, but replied indiffer
emily:
Because Thought you might be in
terested in the result"
"The result, madam? The result o
what, pray?"
"Of James leaving"
"And why is she leaving?"
Because she has no choice Becaus
Ihave put up with her insolence a
long as shall, Mr.. Bagly. Because
however much you may slight me an
my wishes, do not intend to sub
NIT to impudence from servant, MI
Bagly. I'shall not endure it one da
longer; ] shall pay her off this mornin
and let her go. l shall, indeed, MI
Bagly."
Mr.. Bagly sat and gazed on her dul
ing this little feminine TRADE with
look of deep commiseration. An
this was all! This was the nolehill {
grief that had dared to stand in iron
of his Olympus of trouble! Bah. II
vaguely remembered hearing of tn
trifing matter before. 1t was nothir
nothing!
'tMrs. Bagly," he said, thinking til
time had come to be aroused, "loo
at me-"
She did SO, but did not seem to |
deeply impressed with what she saw
"Mr. Bagly, unless you send anoth'
CIR; here before dinner there will |
none prepared for you. l am dete
mined Jane shall go, if we never ha,
another dinner"
Mr.. Bagly arose.
MADAM, have suffered-I ha,
suffered" he began with great solem
ity. Chow much you cannot kno
you cannot understand. l ha
shielded you from the knowledge.