The Press., 1898-09-15

1T conclude. then. that the lawyers have marked mo case?' n observed Edith, and Arbuscula glanced curiously at her.
 "I do not take my-wrongs to law courtl" she said magnifcently.
 In that you show your wisdom, '' re- piled my wife. Arbuscula looked at her again, with something approaching re- spect, but there was 8 sparkle beneath the eyelids.
 "Come, what will you give to pre- vent it?" she asked.
 ''Nothing." responded Edith quietly.
 "He would be of different opinionW observed Atbuscula.
 Hardly" said my wife "He is not fool"
 "You are the first woman who ever said that of him" retorted Arbuscula
 ''I do not doubt it, replied my wife, with much significance, and the other reddened slightly. Under the guard, |" thought L -
 All women are the same to him." continued Arbuscula, recovering herself. "What is the difference between you and me? A wedding ring"
 "And all it symbolizes, " rejoined my wife softly.
 "That's 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-f know itF' n,sered the other.
 "Oh, it symbolizes more, said Edith, but her tone was weaker. The thrust had gone home, for the study of hydro statios had been forced upon us of late.
 "And what is that, prayT' demanded Arbuscula insolently. "To explain would be to insult your intelligence-and yourself" replied Edith Beat in carte, lunge in tierceP' thought L
 "Oh, I am not thin skinnedr' laugh ed Arbuscula.
 "I made allowance, rejoined my wife.
 Arbuscula's g lips became a thin line of scarlet. Then they parted, and she miled. I knew that she had always pos- sessed most unfeminine sense of hu- nor, but I was not prepared for it's as- sertion at this supreme moment. The two women stood looking at each other
  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 aud began to shuttle them as one would a pack of cards. "You are dying to read themP' 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 a stays 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. II have been very patient You'll want all the patience you
  ed the other
 And you, what will your future be without patience?" asked Edith. s
 My future can take care of itself, '' cried Arbuscula, laughing laugh short as"the snap of a breaking sword blade. ''1'm 8 woman with past, the sort morality humbugs chatter about but if I had a future like you by I'd try to get something better than the butt end of a roue.' -. ..
 "Using the hilt" thought. My 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 shal lows of life. Experience enables them to appreciate things-it is a good light for 8 man.
 "And a useless one for a woman, ' answered Arbuscula, with 8 sudden change of tone. Its like the poop light which shows the foam upon the reel that has just torn the poor ships side out-much good, when the masts are going by the board '' She gathered the letters together
 
 ing, l could see her grasp upon it wal gone. Catching at that moment the re hection of my own face in a mirror op posite. l was so ill pleased by the sigh, that stole down stairs, hearing another hacking laugh and the tinkle of a bel. as went.
 l returned to the garden and com menced to patiently dig up the border. Presently Edith came out also with an arnful of plants she began to sort, sing ing a cradle song much admired the while.
 l went over to her. II got those car nations up" said, "but for the life O. me can't say which is whichl'' She ran to the border. "Ah, you tool far too much trouble, dear" she saic softly. "And after all your labor too I'm so sorry!" She pressed my arm and the touch covered more than tho words.
 "But the line was not straight, answered, averting my eyes. "We'u draw 8 straighter one now you and l, '" she whispered. | I passed my arm around her 5gais and kissed her. She put both hers sowr around my neck.
 ''My wife!" said I.
 "You old goose, " she whispered, bit ing my ear, "I saw you all the timeE Black and White ~.-+ Jade.
 Jade, the Chinese symbol of the soul is one of the most interesting minerals in the world. It is possessed of peculial interest to the mineralogist because o its unique mineral properties. to the chemist because of 8 dispute as to itl elementary composition, to the ethnolo gist because of its peculiar uses, to tn, archeologist because of its strange as sociations with early history, to ths poet because of its symbolic character in literature and to the philosopher be