The Monitor-register., 1897-10-01
NETTIE's LESSON.

There After two cups OF such
coffee as that a man ought to be ready
for his days work." said Fred Wright,
gravely, as he rose from the cosy break
fast table and began to draw on his
overcoat. r1t
His wife smiled.
"Tm glad you like the coffee, DEAR"
she said, as she too left her chair and
came round to his side with a ~coaxing
expression which Fred had already
learned to understand.
well, what is it this time ?" he
asked, looking down at her from his six
feet altitude with a whimsical smile
How did you know it was anything P"
asked Nettie, giving him a saucy glance
and pulling at his coat buttons.
sob, l know yoar tricks and your
manners, Miss Jenny Wren. l hope the
demand won't be in exec So of the sup
ply, my dear" smoothing her hair.
"It's-well, it's a pretty big one for
once" Nettie replied more soberly.
Fred's handsome face grew a little
grave as he said quietly.
! what is it, child ?"
"Well, you know we are invited to the
promenade concert of the Harmonic
Club tomorrow night ?"
Eyes. What of it ?"
"Only that it is a great honor to be
invited to the Harmonic at all. The
very SWEETEST of swell society will be
there"
Fred made a oomical grimacs.
"To be sure" he said. "But l
thought you had a new dress. Is there
another needed so soon?"
"Oh, it's worse than a dress this time,
my good old boy !! It's-well, 1 really
couldn't go into that foe crowd in my
old cloak. l could not. Fred !"
"But l think your black cloak looks
very nice, dear"
what that old thing ? Why, 1 had
it when we were married two years ago.
1t is out of date. l really must have a
new one or stay at home, and l must say
l don't van to miss that concert"
Fred sighed.
Neither do I, DEAR" he said, putting
his hand into his pocket. "How much
then?"
His wife put ont a soft hand protest.
ingly.
"Wait a minute" she said. ell ex-
poet you think it .extravagant, Fred, but
l saw some of the ~lovelist seal sacks at
Lords yesterday !! Real seal. and so
cheap-that is, for seal you know.
The sweet blue eyes looked up into his
30 %confidingly that Fred felt himself a
brute not to humor her without ques-
ton.
Il don't know anything about seal;
how much for the animal, Nettie ?''
smiling.
"Only " hundred dollars, Fred"
The young man turned absolutely
pale, as he exclaimed:
Two hundred dollars You might as
we'll ask me for the moor 1t is out of
the question, child"
'I'm sure two hundred dollars won't
break u.s." said the wife, pettishly.
"Alice Rice bought one at two hundred
and fifty last week, and her husband is
in the same firm you are, and gets the
same salary"
Fred bit his lips. Evidently he was
much disturbed.
Il should not like to near the boys
talk about you as they do about Rlce's
wife, Nettie," said he. "What do you
suppose Mr.. Allen wonld thiuk if hs saw
you rugged out in a two hundred dollar
cloak ?"
Nettie's eyes flashed with blue fire.
SIT would be one of his business"
she retorted. "If you buy and pay for a
thing it is quite your w concern, isn't
it ?"
Eyes, sometimes. l can't stop to sx-
plain business to you now, dearest, but l
can't give you that much money this
quarter. l have the last payment to
make on our little home at the end of
this MONTH"
"Mr. Grant would wait a while for
that" Nettie cried eagerly. You have
always been SC prompt, Pm sure he
wouldn't mind"
"But my word is out, and my honor,
DEAR" said Fred, so gently that the lit
tie woman should have yielded at once.
'I'm sorry, but l can't give you more
than fifty dollars now, and l ought not to
do that"
"No, thank you. If 1 can't have a
seal sack l will stay at home and tell
people my husband can't dress me de-
GENTLY"
Fred flushed holly, but he controlled
himself with an effort, and stood pulling
on his gloves with a moody brow.
Il know what 1 will do ~ suddenly
flashed out Nettie. 81 will write to
father and ASK him for the money"
my child, o shall not | 1 would
not have you do that for anything !"
"Then give it to me yourself. l know
you could If you would. Do, Fred, this
once, please, and 1 will promise not to
cost you another cent this winter"
Fred stood silent for a moment. He
was thinking of the luxurious home
from which he had taken his wife, where
her every wish was law, and hesitated.
Poor dear, she does not know why
she should not be humored," be thought.
"She does not mean to be selfish. 1t is
very hard for her. Perhaps l could
make it up some way"
He slowly drew out his pocketbook
and counted the money into her hand.
'There, Nettie," he said. II cannot
bear to deny you when you set your
heart on a thing. Get your cloak, and if
it makes us trouble, l will bear it ALL"
"Oh, it won't make the least bit of
trouble !! Thank you, you dear good
fellow ~ cried Nestie, her face all smiles
and bushes of delight now. "There !
I'll give you two big kisses and the best
dinner you ever had when you come
home. Tonight I'll show you my new
wrap, and 1 know you'll say it's lovely !"
SIT ought to be ~ muttered Fred, as
he went out. set has cost me enough,
I'm sure. Let me see; 1 can do without
the overcoat l intended to buy, and make
this suit last the winter out: that will
save fftv or sixty dollars shall look