The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-05-15


fident girl. who tried to ensnare him
before his marriages; and at the same
moment gentleman addressed Mrs.
Palmer. She answered mechanically,
unable to withdraw her attention en-
tirely from her husband and his COM
panion. until seeing something in Miss
Baden's glance at herself which she
did not like. her pride again awoke
aud she turned. as with a sudden de-
termination. to the gentleman at her
side. He was q recent conner to the
town--very pleasant aud handsome
and Nellie Palmer forthwith began to
try and make herself agreeable to
him. He looked so pleased. and was
himself so agreeable that 1t soon cost
her no effort to converse; and then her
old spirits returned and to her sur
prise she found that she was enjoying
herself. Her husband didn't much no.
tice this. but Miss Baden did. and her
filtration with Mr.. Palmer lost much
of ito charm, now that his wife did not
appear mortified and jealous, and that
people couldn't see that she was so.
Wherefore Miss Baden grew indiffer-
,ent, and Mr.. Palmer bethought him.
self to look after his wife. Not find
ing her looking over the photograph
albums, nor talking to deaf old Mr..
Brown. neither in any of the ''holes
and corners" which she was wont of
late to frequent. he became rather
puzzled.
At that instant little laugh at his
elbow startled him and turning. he
saw Nellie, bright and flushed, talking
to a very handsome man, who appear
cd quite absorbed in her. Mr.. Palmer
stared a moment at the unconscious
couple.
why, the deuce" was his thought;
"what on earth can they have been
talking about all this whileP" Then
suddenly meeting his wife's eye, he
smiled and whispered, Enjoying your
self. Nellp"
"Oh. yes. dear, delightfully."-! Don't
trouble yourself about me, pray"
Nellie Palmer had never sung more
sweetly or danced more gracefully
than upon this evening.
Don't you think, Nell. you've danced
enough for one nightp" said her hus-
band, toward the close of the even
ing; for a married womanp" he add
ed.
Perhaps So" she answered. cheer
fully; but I've enjoyed myself so
much! Really. almost forgot that !
was married woman, and felt like a
girl again"
"And behaved like one." he said
rather coolly. "Who is that fellow
that has been i'm attendance upon you
all the evening?" he inquired, as they
walked down stairs.
That remarkably handsome man,
with the expressive dark eyes, do you
meanp"
Il never noticed his eyes or that he
was at all handsome" he answered,
stiffiy.
'Oh. thought you meant Captain
Lowell, of the artillery. All! here he
is-just one moment, dear-I quite.
forgot
And Nellie spoke few words to the
Captain in passing. of which her hus-
band could distinguish only something
about that book"
When Robert Palmer came home
next day. he found his wife, not cry
ing as before, in her bedroom, but
in the parlor. practicing new song.
Captain Lowell called this morn
ing" she said. land l have promised
to sing this for him at Mrs. Camp
BELLS"
"Ah," he answered, with an express
sion of Indifference. and as his wife
struck up with the first few notes. he
muttered to himself, ''Confound Cap
tain Lowell"
At Mrs. Campbell's, Captain Lowell
was again in attendance upon pretty
Mrs. Palmer. and then other gentle
men discovered her attractions, her
piquancy. and coquettishness. and
tlirtableness, and so in few weeks,
Mrs. Palmer was belle. She did not
seem in the least to care who her hus-
band was attending upon, and, indeed,
he could rarely get word with her at
all when at the gay assemblies which
they constantly frequented. He some
times gave her hint that she was mo
longer girl" and that he was her
husband, but she only laughed, and
said there was no harm done. and that
she was enjoying herself so delight
fully, and felt herself more belle
than even when girl-which was
tIuc, DeCtuSc Snc ndu DDC uITteu tneI,
being absorbed, heart and soul, in Bob
Palmer. But now it was Captain Low
ell who appeared chiefly to occupy her
thoughts. as well as good part of her
time. She sang and danced with him;
she read the books he sent, and so fire.
quent were his visits, so constant his
attentions. that at last Mr.. Robert
Palmer's wrath burst forth.
Ellen" he said, as he one day
closed the door on the departing Cap
tain, II really can not permit this to
60 on any longer. Your conduct to
me is most unexpected-most astound-
ing. You are by far too intimate with
this fellow Lowell. He is constantly in
my house. and last evening he scarce
ly left your side, while you stood. for
two hours the center of group of
chattering, grinning popinjays like him
SELF"
why. Bob, you yourself blamed me
for playing wall-fower and spider
and said you were ashamed of me-"
II am much more ashamed of you
now" he retorted, severely.
Now. dear, this is quite unreason-
able Of Won Didn't Won foil mo that |