The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-08-02
HIS LETTERS.

not want to find out, but the prelim
inaries dragged, and I found myself
doomed to period of enforced idlenes
which did not improve my temper, an(
fear tried my wife s sorely, for, though
happy, we were human. Our first, and
thank heaven, our only tiff, took place
one memorable day when we were bott
gardening ON plot of SCOT blackeneC
ground attached to our modest dwell
ing. In making border l had planted
number of carnations and picotees to
gether, contrary to my wife's directions
and on discovering the mistake she sale
what suppose nine out of ten womer
would have said | answered tartly be-
ing preoccupied with bitter thoughts,
and SO acrimonious did our discussion
become that Edith went into the house.
After some minutes reflection / felt
the childishness of my conduct and fol.
lowed to make it up. She was not il
the little atticlike boudoir at the top OF
our mansion, so l descended to search
for her in the drawing room, which had
doors opening on the conservatory and
hall. By chance chose the first and
had almost entered the room when
heard the sound of well remembered
voice, and, drawing the portiere aside,
cautiously, saw my wife face to face
with Arbuscula.
g daresay you know who 1 amp the
latter was saying.
Edith denied the implied honor.
Gfrpbo1, Sc xvo,,,a .,to AL< -.....- -
oious, retorted Arbuscula. "But your
husband does and that is the chief
point. The servant told me he was at
home. 7 She looked just as splendid as
ever and swept our modest little apart
ment with a scornful glance
my husband is engaged, . said
Edith. Anything you have to say may
be said to me.
''Indeed?" replied Arbuscula. well,
I have got good many things to say .
My wife folded her hands and, find
ing one Of her gardening gloves on,
pulled it off and threw it on the table.
fGuardl' thought l.
And first, continued Arbuscula, 81
want to say that your husband is the
writer of those letters " And she de-
posted formidable bundle on the ia
Bile beside the glove 'They were writ
ten to me. You may read them if you
choose.
81 have no desire to do so, replied
my wife valiantly.
They would interest you, " the other
went on. "You could compare them
with those he has, dare say, written to
yourself. !"
81 fear you misunderstood, though
the error is natural one-for you, = re-
piled my wife considerably
A spot of light shone in Arbuscula' s
eye, "They would be useful, . she con-
tinued, "if you wanted to make things
hot for him-as you undoubtedly will. :"
My wife was silent; she played with
her wedding ring.
Cor perhaps you won't care to see
them in the public press, !" the other
added viciously. II know literary
chap who would dress EN- up we'll ;
they'd want little draping for pa
per l know Of y
II conclude, then, that the lawyers
have marked no case?' observed
Edith, and Arbuscula glanced curiously
at her
Il do not take my-wrongs to a law
COURT" she said magnifcently.
In that you show your wisdom, y re-
piled my wife. ArbuscuIa looked at her
again, with something approaching re-
spect, but there was a sparkle beneath
the eyelids.
Come, what will you give to pre-
vent it?'' she asked
Nothing, responded Edith quietly
He would be of different opinionp'
observed Arbuscula.
Hardly, . said my wife. "He is not
fool. -
''You are the first woman who ever
said that of him, retorted Arbuscula.
81 do not doubt it, = replied my wife,
with much significance, and the other
redeemed slightly, Under the guard, -
thought l.
''All women are the same to him, y
continued Arbuscula, recovering herself.
What is the difference between you
and me? A wedding ring"
" And all it symbolizes, 2 rejoined my
wife softly.
That house on a fifth rate ter
race, with only one stopcock for eight
of ye, and the lady next door cuts off
the water when she has had few words
with you over the hedge-I know itl''
sneered the other.
"Oh, it symbolizes more, said Edith,
but 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
Arbuscula insolently.
''To explain would be to insult your
intelligence-and yourself, f" replied
Edith. "Beat in carte, lunge in tierce r.
thought l.
"Oh, am not thin skinned'' laugh
ed Arbuscula.
II 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 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, I
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.
"You are dying to read themi" she
said
My wife's voice said, "No" Her
face was not SO explicit.
Here's one-it's poetry, continued
Arbuscula. ut was written for stays
l invented, the Arbuscula busk-you
might have heard of it?''
''No, it must have been before my
time, :" said Edith innocently.
Possibly you came rather late in the
day" retorted the other
but came to stay. answered my
wife.
Arbuscula laughed. Edith put her
hand upon the bell.
''You surely will not compel me?"
she said. Il have been very patient.
You II want all the patience you
have in the good time coming, " rejoin-
ed the other.
"And you, what will your future be
without patience?" asked Edith
"My future can take care of itself"
cried Arbuscula, laughing a laugh short
as the snap of a breaking sword blade
I'm a woman with past, the sort
morality humbugs chatter about but if
/ had future like you by -- I'd try
to get something better than the butt
end of roue. -
"Using the hilt, +" thought I.
NV wife laughed payly now "You