The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-05-01
misccllanenu5.
THE STOLEN NOTE.
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENIsON.

ChuIllo W llSOl paused DelOre MS
wlfe's pretty writing desk, with a
wistful look, taking mental note of its
contents.
"One glove, two soiled envelopes,
watch and chain, tiny handkerchief,
a pocket book, a fruit knife, thimble
and an apple.
Poor Kitty" he sighed, "she will
be careless in spite of all my efforts.
l wonder if she realizes these things
annoy me ? Here is her pocket book
with money in it, and everything but
the right thing on this desk. She
promised me she would be so careful!''
and he sighed, as perhaps so methodi-
cal Il man had right to sigh, over the
shortcomings of the wife he loved so
dearly.
Charley" sounded a soft, sweet
voice, 80, there you are can't
think where left my pocket book,
and" she followed the direction of
his sternly pointed, dexter forefinger,
and laughed and blushed, while she
avoided his eye.
Dear me, yes, how careless of NE, ="
she said, securing the little brown
article-''now, Charley, you know we
came home SO late last night and
really lost my other glove, so this is of
no use, you know why should l have
cared to put it away? o. | know
| what you mean, you are giving me
| one of your silent lectures, and | need
it, bad enough. There ~ she had rap
idly assigned things to their proper
| places-"does that suit my fastidious
husband. If you knew how hard |
| have to try, you would not look so
| serious over it. Give me little time,
dear.
My darling, l wish you would be
careful ," He had opened his arms,
| and her sweet face was resting Oh his
shoulder-''we have been married al
| most two years, and that pernicious
habit seems as powerful as ever.
know | am fastidiouS, as you put it
| orderly l should say-and | cannot
help it, that these things offend my
eye. But | am sure you will keep try
ing
THAT 1 will, Charley" and the
| beautiful blue eyes, yelled softly with
misty tears, smiled into his, you
| shall see now, how hard. See if you
have cause to speak to me again, well
say for a month"
''All right, my precious - and kiss
sealed the compact. After all, how
few faults she had, this sweet woman,
who had given her life into his keep
| ing. Always correct in her dress, her
| faultless taste kept her from lapsing
| into carelessneSs, because no one saw
| her but her husband, always happy,
and singing round the house, like I,
| bird, deferring to his Judgment when
| point had to be decided between
| them, quick to resent an injury, but
l ~ To 4
tiful, helpful and tender, this man.
whose chief fault consisted in giving
| the reins to an eXacting nature, was
wise enough to appreciate the jewel he
had won, though not sufficiently so to
ov arlook, or to ignore the little imper-
| fections that no eyes saw but his.
That day kitty's bluff sailor uncle
| came to call on her, on his way to his
| ship.
II declare, Kitty ~ he said, holding
her at arms length, how you are i'm
proved I'll forgive Wilson all the
hard things | said against him, when
you were married, for | am sure he
must treat you well.'
Did you say hard things against
| Charley, uncle -
Didn't II Called him a prig, a
| bunch of self-conceit, u walking die
tionary, a martinet-I didn't remem-
| Der, in fact, half l did say. 1t always
seemed to me that he had hard, pitt
! less way with these
"Uncle,' said Kitty, her cheeks
crimson, and her eyes shining, Il can
hear such things, | am astonished at
| you, Charley is my husband :" and
she lifted her head with the dignity
of an empress.
so, offense meant my little lady, :"
was the laughing reply, you are I'M
der sailing orders, now, and l won't
say a word against the captain. By
| the way, how are the Baileys? A man
must ask after his poor relations,
| l suppose"
"As usual" said Kitty, her face
growing grave Cousin Jack is out
of work again his little factory was
| ANYTHING but a success, and almost
ruined them. Poor Sally is sick, and
the eldest girl has had to go to work
| | run over there quite often"
| And never empty handed, I'll be
bound" said the gruff sailor, plung-
| ing his hand into a capacious pocket.
Charley is SO kind ~ was the gentle
reply, -, ,,. .,.+ 10 .,,o,,.. l., :,
| IlIlle WIG W Va iilS 'OuhlN
she pleases that's good of him. Now
see here, Kitty, | can't go there, my
time is so precious short just now, but
if you'd just slip that into Sally's
hand, poor Sally what pretty ten
der creature she was you'll do me a
favor and say her uncle sends lots OF
love-"
why, uncle! fifty dollar bill
how good of you, how kind, it will
quite set them on their feet again, for
a time. I'll go over there early to.
morrow; | would go tonight, but
Charley went to New York this noon,
and am to stay with one of the neigh,
bors tonight. You remember my old
school friend, Nelly B. Her little
boy has been dangerously sick, but he
is a little better now, o uncle, dc
thank YOU so much in poor Sally s
name. for this money"
Never mind, child, only wish
could do more. Say to Jack, unlucky
fellow that he is, I'll try and put him
in the way of something when | come
home from my next voyage. And
new, goodbye, l must hurry off. Give
me a kiss for luck y and he was gone
Kitty ran up to her room, flushed
and happy, the money in her hand.