The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-31

INT her tone was weaker. The thrust
had gone home, for the study of hydro
states had been forced upon us of late.
"And what is that, pray::' demanded
Arbuscuia insolently.
.sTo explain would be to insult your
intelligence--and yourself, % replied
Edith. "Beat in carte, lunge in tierce y
thought L
ooh. 7 am not thin skinned" laugh
ed Arbuscula.
.sI made allowance, rejoined my
wife.
Arbuscula's lips became thin line
of scarlet. Then they parted, and she
smiled. knew that she had always pos
sessed a most unfeminine sense Of hu-
nor, but was not prepared for its as
sertion at this supreme moment. The
two women stood looking at each other
across the table. Arbuscula's dazzling
smile lighting her face, my wife's PALE
yet never so beautiful, I thought, though
now, enlightened by the contrast, l
noted the lines of anxiety which had
been creeping there during the past
months, and violet shadows under the
sweet eyes. The other gathered up the
letters and began to shuttle them as one
would pack of cards.
'sYou are dying to read them!' she
eaid.
MY wife's voice said, 'Nos" Her
eo ar,,1foit
..Here's cne--it's poetry" continued
Arbuscula. ''It was written for stays
I invented, the Arbuscula busk-you
might have heard Of it::''
ssNo, it must have been before my
time, - said Edith innocently.
Possibly you came rather late in the
day. retorted the other.
'sBut came to stay" answered my
wife.
Arbuscula laughed. Edith put her
hand upon the bell.
'sYou surely will not compel me::"
she said. ''I have been very patient. .
s.You'll want all the patience you
have in the good time coming, - rejoin-
ed the other.
ssAnd yo1, what will your future be
without patience?" asked Edith
'sMy future can take care of itself, y
cried Arbuscula, laughing laugh short
as the snap of breaking sword blade.
ssI'm a woman with a past, the sort
morality humbugs chatter about, but If
I had future like you by - I'd try
to get something better than the butt
end of q roue. .
"Using the hilt, thought I.
Ny wife laughed gayly now. "You
know the old adage, " she said, "the
best husband is a reformed rake. Mems
follies often serve as beacons to guide
them past the other shoals and shall
lows of life. Experience enables them
to appreciate things-it is good light
for man.
"And useless one for woman, .
answered Arbuscula, with sudden
change of tone. cts like the poop light
which shows the foam upon the reef
that has just torn the poor ships side
out-much good, when the masts are
going by the board
She gathered the letters together.
Whatever had been her purpose In COM
ing, I could see her grasp uponNit was
gone. Catching at that moment the re-
fection of my own face in mirror op-
posite, was SO i'll pleased by the sight
that stole down stairs, hearing another
hacking laugh and the tinkle of a bell
as went
returned to the garden and COM
uenced to patiently dig up the border.
Presently Edith came out also with an
armful Of plants she began to sort, sing
ing cradle song much admired the
while.
Iwent over to her. II got those car
nations up said, "but for the life OF
me can t say which is which,"
She ran to the border. "Ah, you took
far too much trouble, DEAR" she said
softly. sAnd after all your labor too
I'm so sorry!" She pressed my arm,
and the touch covered more than the
words.
"But the line was not straight,
answered, ayerting my eyes.
"We'll draw straighter one now,
you and I, she whispered.
I passed my arm around her waist
and kissed her She put both her own
around my neck.
"My wifer' said |.
"You old goose. she whispered, bit
ing my ear, "I saw you all the timeP'
Black and White.