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

We had been three months married.
and lived in the blessed expectancy OF q
sxcretaryship which had been promised
un commission appointed to inquire
into some abuses the government did
not want to find out, but the prelim-
maries dragged, and I found myself
doomed to period of enforced idleness
which did not improve my temper, and
I 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 both
gardening on plot of SCOT blackened
ground attached to our modest dwell
Ing. In making border I had planted
a number of carnations and picotees to-
gether, contrary to my wife's directions,
and ON discovering the mistake she said
what I suppose nine out of ten women
would have said. I 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 child;shness Of my conduct and fol
LEVIED to make it up. She was not III
the little atticlike boudoir at the top OF
orr mansion, so I descended to search
for her in the drawing room, which had
doors opening on the conservatory and
hall. By chance I chose the first and
had almost entered the room when /
heard the sound Of we'll remembered
voice, and, drawing the portiere aside,
cautiously, saw my wife face to face
with Arbuscula.
ssI daresay you know who ams" the
latter was saying.
Edith denied the implied honor.
Then is your state the more gra-
cious, . retorted Arbusc1la. ssBut your
husband does, ard that is the chief
point The servant told me be was at
home" She looked just as splendid as
ever and swept our modest little apart
mene with scornful glance.
s'My husband is engaged, said
Edith. Anything you have to say may
be said to LIE. -
ssIndeeds'' replied Arbuscula. "Weil,
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.
Guard" thought I.
'sAnd first, % continued Arbuscula, Il
want to say that your husband is the
writer of those letters. y And she de-
posted formidable bundle On the ia
Bile beside the glove. 'sThey were writ
ten to me. You may read them if you
choose.
81 have no desire to do SO, replied
my wife valiantly.
'sThey would interest you, the otheI
went on. ''You could compare them
with those he has, dare say, written tc
yourself. y
81 fear you misunderstood, though
the error is natural one-for you. . re.
piled my wife considerably.
"a spot of light shone III Arbuscula 5
eye. .sThey would be useful. - she con
tinued, ''if you wanted to make thing;
hot for him-as you undoubtedly will. >
Nv wife was silent; she played with
her wedding ring.
.sOr perhaps you won't care to see
them in the public press, the othe1
added viciously. ''I know a literary
chap who would dress 'em up well
they'd want little draping for pa
per I know OF. -
ST conclude, then, that the lawyer:
have marked mo case?' % observed
Edith, and Arbuscula glanced curiously
at her.
.'I do not take my-wrongs to lav
COURT" she said magnihcently.
.'In that you show your wisdom, " re
piled my wife. Arbuscula locked at ne
again, with something approaching re
spect, but there was a sparkle beneati
the eyelids.
'.Come, what will you give to pre-
vent it:'' she asked.
Nothing" responded Edith quietly
sHe would be of different opinion =
observed Arbuscula.
Hardly, sad my VIE ne Is do
fool
'sYou are the first woman who eve
said that of him, retorted Arbuscula.
Il do not doubt it, replied my wife
with much significance, and the othe
Redeemed slightly. Under the guard
thought [
.'All women are the same to him,
continued Arbuscula, recovering herself
"What is the difference between yo'
and me: a wedding ring. .
''And all it symbolizes, rejoined M
wife softly.
"That's house on fifth rate ter
race, with Only one stopcock for elgh
of ye, and the lady next 3oor cuts OF
the water when sic has bad few word
with you over the hedge-I know it?
meered the other.
"Oh. it symbolizes more, said Edith