H 1
JUMBO'S OLD CHUM.
H I lie V j't Hotitra to Knglantl Itccauao
H I uiiiIio'm CnrctisH la Here.
H i Animal trainers aro a queer lot as a
B 1 rule , and show-managers have to put
B I • tip with many vagaries from them.
B I Tiiuy form strong attachments for the r
B I big anil sometimes ungainly pets ; at-
B I taoh meats such as one would hardly
B expect to exist between a human being
B and a wild beast. A case in point re *
B ceutly came under the notice of Mr.
B James L. Hutchison , of the Barnum
B show , which serves well to illustrate
B what seems to be one of the chief traits
B In an animal-trainers character. When
B the Burnuni people bought Jumbo in
B England they brought over to tins coun-
B try with him Matthew Seott , who for
B some twenty years had been the trainer
B and keeper of the huge , homely but
B good-natured beast. Scott was Jum-
B bo's guardian and constant companion
E during the paeln derm's brief but bril-
B liant career iu this country. When
B Jumbo uiet his deatii as a result of too
HB much monkeying with a railroad train
B up in Canada , Seott was "all broke up , "
B to use the verancular. Ho was a rest *
B less , dissatisfied , pretty well brokeu-up
B individual while the skin of hisclcphan-
B tine bedfellow wis being stuffed and
B his skeleton cleaned , and mounted for
B exhibition purposes. When the re-
B ? mains of Jumbo were added to the
B k Barnum aggregation Scott was put on
m jj exhibition with them. , He seemed to
m I have recovered some of h s happiness
B i then , and never tired of telling of the
B I peaceful disposition , the kindly nature ,
B i and the altogether commendable habits
B I of his late chum.
B § When the Barnum show closed its
B I season hist October Mr. Hutchinson
B told. Seott that he would have uo furth-
B er use for him , and advised him to go
BJ back to England and accept the position
B at the London zoological garden that
B was waiting tor him. Scott said he
B would do so. On Oct. 23 in Lynch-
B burg , Va. , Mr. Hutchinson paid Scott
B the nearly $2,000 which had accumula-
B ted in his hands as the old trainer's
B wages. Scott also received money tc
B I pay his passage back to Europe , in ac-
Bl | cord a nee with his agreement with the
Bf i Barnum people. He bade everyone
B 1 good-bye. left the show , and started foi
B I this city in time to take the steamer he
B I had selected for Liverpool. That was
B 1 the last that was seen or heard of him
B § by the proprietors of the Barnum show
B 1 until last week.
B 1 Mr. Hutchinson went up to the
B 1 Bridgeport winter quarters then to see
B 1 how things were progressing for the
m 1 removal of the show's truck to this
B I city. He was astonished shortly aftez
B leaving his train to meet Seott.
H | "Hallo , Scott , what are you doinp
m here ? Thought you were in England • '
H with your friends ? Glad to see you , I
B any way. " Thus spoke the cheery
H manager. ,
H Scott stumbled in his words considcra-
H bly : md explained that he'd made lots ol
H friends in this countn * , rather liked it ,
H and thought he'd stay here for a while i
H J for rest as he had a good pile of money
B I for him. He appeared to be a trifle
H' 1 ashamed of something , as if caught in
B I a disreputable sort of proceeding. Mr. .
H 1 Hutchinson left him and went to the
B I big barns and sheds of the company.
B ] ' But he could not forget Scott.
B "Seen anything of Jumbo Scott
B around , here lately ? " he inquired casu-
B ally of the people in the office. No , \
B i they hadn't He determed to pursue l
B | his inquiries further , and solve the mys-
B I teryof this man Scott's being in Bridge- '
B ] port. So he went down to the elephant a
B house. Yes , they had seen Scott ; seen '
B him frequently ; almost daily in fact. -
B Mr. Hutchinson followed the clew quiF
B ctly and successful ! } ' , and then it turn- J
B ed out that nearly every day since the '
B show had been in winter quarters Scott •
B had j > rowed ! about the barn , chatted u
B with the elephant men , and invariably i
B wound up bis call by a visit to'the spol •
B where the stuffed Jumbo and chained ;
B skeleton are stored. After a short , and '
B so far as is known , silent communion 5
B with his dead friend , Scott would leave F
B the place sat sficd and go to his humble t
B lodgings in Bridgeport , if the deceas5
B J cd Jumbo travels this season Scott will D
Bl want toeven if he isn't on the salary p
Bl listNew York Times.
B § He Wud Know Him. *
B "Would you recognize him ? " askec - ,
B the keeper of the morgue to a man whe J
B had called to identify the remains of a
Bj person who had been found floating ]
B in the river.
H "Faith , aud I wud. " n a
B * * And could you iudentify his body to
H a certainty ? " =
-'Indade I could. " h
Hg "Well , sir , come in and look around ? " '
P With that Pat moved horridly 4 ,
E around , first going to the extreme left
B ! of the building. .
B "Why do you go way over in thai
Bf part of the building first ? ' ' asked the .
B morgue keeper. .
B "Faith , an' I dunno. 'cept it bo that
B I wud find him there. "
B I don't believe you would know him r
B if you would see his bodr , said tlio .
B keeper , who had begun to believe thai '
B it was nothing more than morbid curi-
B osity that had brought Pat to the .
B morgue.
B "Know him dadc. an' I wud , for
B sure. Wasn't he left-haudcd ? " P/e. - n
B zeWs Weekly.
B Kind Friends.
B Friend " 1 have brought yon a fen
B slices of ham. "
B Toor Neighbor "Ah ! How kind yoc n (
B "Don't mention it It is really i . ,
B pleasure for me to " show you any little
B attention. " q
B "Well. I appreciate your kindness. 1 Si
can assure von of tiiat. " L
"As I sa. 'd before , I am only too gla <
j0 be able to accommodate you. Tin }
f slices are cut from a ham that wai li
t -iven us. Bv the way , if youdiscovei te
any svmptoms of trichina in youi n
V family. " after you have tried the ham. 0
vou will let its know please. \\c an : li
I- - n0t , r0i.r to eat of it until we hear fron K
t , . yo\i\ ? cxti SifUngs. V
i
i
I
„
WOMAN IS THE HIGHEST
SomewhereImvoheard tine adage ,
And I tlilnlc ft lis a true oust
• 'It Hikes much to make a lady ,
It tnlcc * more to make a woman. "
Ladles vrlth their studied grace ? ,
Ladles with their snow-white hands ,
Delicate and cicur-cut faces ,
Ladles high and ladles grand ,
Clothed iu velvet , robed in laces ,
.Much too flue for common touch ,
Crotrncd and decked with penrls aud rubles ,
Not true woman , overmuch
Shallow , vain cud superficial ;
There are thousands simply human
"Worthy of the name of lady , J
Scarcely worth the name of woman.
Not for them the grand creations
Of a glorious womanhood ;
Not for them the high Ideals ;
Only soul hath understood ;
Not for them the lofty mountains
RUIug o'er life's desert waste ;
They have eaten Dead Sea Apples ,
" Let them pall upon their taste.
"Woman mounting slowly upward ,
Pure and steadfast , modest , sweet
As the violets , which are blooming
Iu some shaded , cool retreat ;
Womau reaching out strong tendrlb ,
Earnest In the walks of life ,
Treading In the path of duty
" 'I hrou gh temptation , care and strife ;
"Woman Iu thtgarb of patience
Standing where the tried have stood ,
Brcakiuc bread for questioning spirits
Wearing crown of motherhood ;
"Woman delving , sculpturing , carving ,
Making still this adage tiue one :
"It takes much to make a lady.
It takes more to make a woman. '
Let the fires of fate burn higher ,
Well , who cares ? On downy bed
Sleeps the ladhut the woman
Walks the earth with stronger tread ,
Vital are the latent forces
Which are tried , the pearls lie deep ,
And they win who stem the courses
And who climb the mountain steep ,
"Writ * upon the heart this adage ,
For w e know ic is a true one :
"It takes much to make a lady ,
It takes more to make a woman. "
Emnu. J' . Jiromi , in Woman's Journal.
MM
His Second Wife. .
* 'I must Mildred that
say , , everybody
I nieau all your friends were per
fectly astonished at your marrying
John Vernon , " said Miss Lay , as she
tossed her gloves on the little table be
fore her , and settled herself comfort
ably in her chair.
"All my friends. So that includes
/ou , of course. " said Mildred , with a
little nervous laugh that was meant to
aide her annoyance.
-Well , " and Miss y looked
thoughtfully up at the ceiling , then
down again , "I confess I was astonish-
3d ! Iu the first place j-our husband is
verging on forty , an age quite unsuitcd
to your youth and beauty , " with a little
complimeutry nod toward Mildred ,
wh ch the latter affected not to see
"then you are his second choice , and I
have too often heard j'ou express your
opinion of widowers in general not to
be "
"One is privileged to change one's
opinion , I suppose , " interrupted Mil-
Ired , quickly and defiantly.
"Of course ! " said Miss Lay , not at
dl abashed at Mildred's look and tone.
"But the question is how you managed
to uproot \ our strong prejudice. "
" 1 don't think it absolutely necessary
or me to relate how the wonderful
shange came about. " said Mildred , im-
laiioiitly. and with a look of sudden
tuger in her eyes.
"Now. Milly. there is no need of get-
ing . angry. You know I've always
elt privileged to say what I pleased
vithout fear of offending you. " and ,
diss Lay elevated her pretty eyebrows
nul regarded Mildred with a look of
iniusemcnt. "Knowing your disposi- •
ion so well. I can't help wondering at \
our choice. Not that I find anj'thing ;
dijectionablc in the character of Mr.
/ernon / , " she added , hastily , seeing ,
hat Mildred was on the point of speak- j
ng , "but it must be mortifying , to say ;
he lea-d , to a girl of your proud , sensi- -
ive nature , to have the virtues of Mrs. ]
. ' ernon Number One continually dinned ,
nto his ears , for , of course , now that \
he's dead and gone she had no faults , i
• oor woman , " and the corners of Miss (
. .ay's . rosy mouth came down with a ]
udden comical jerk that , under any
ither circumstances , would have pro- ]
oked a laugh from Mildred.
"if it were any one else but you , \
lizzie. I wouldn't listen to such non- \
ense ! " exclaimed Mildred , with a look \
f lofty scorn , "but knowing your friv- (
lous nature so well , I can readily ex-
use you. " \
"Knowing my good nature so well , "
orrecled Miss Lay , with a laugh , j
'Now confess that j-our husband is for- j
ver sounding the praises of Mrs. Ver-
on Number One. "
"Forever is a long word , and I shall ]
onfess nothing of the kind , because it j
i not true , " said Mildred.smothenug a r
trong desire to box Miss Lady's ears. t
"I'll ' he's called
wager anj'thing you • ,
Elelen' dozen times since
a you were r
larried. " said Miss Lay , with provok-
lg persistence. t
"Indeed , he has not , and if he should , s
wouldn't mind it in the least , " said j
Iildred. telling a deliberatefalsehood t
rith a placid face. 1
"Anil that picture , " remarked Miss f
iay , indicating with a sweep of her j
and the portrait on the opposite wall , x
f a fair-haired , blue-eyed woman , "I I
on't see how you can have it always t
efore you. Let me see , what is that
erse about , "black eyes and blue ? ' I
Hi I have it now :
The black eye may say : t
Come and worship my ray , j
By adorimr perhaps vou may move me. "
But theblue eye half hid ,
Says from under its lid , S
"I love aud am yours if you'll love me. " t
"Why not have your picture under1
eath by way of contrast and label it
Mrs. John Vernon Number Two ? " r
"It was my own request that the
icture should not be removed , " said I
Iildred , utterly ignoring the last s
uestion , while the sudden ominus I
parkle in her dark eyes warned Miss I
ay that she was venturing too far.y
"Don't mind my nonsense , Milly. s
' ou know I was never serious in my li
fo. and I really couldn't resist the d
jmptation to tease you a little this
lorning. I am sure I meant no t
Sense. Now , Mildred , please don't L
ssume that high and mighty air with t
ic , it never did have the least effect , e
fell" seeing that Mildred still looked s
' ' '
' / .
annoyed , "just attribiito my remarks
to jealous } ' , sheer jealousy. The fact
is , " rising and drawing on her gloves
"wo all onvV you. I wore my sweetes t
smile for John Vernon in vain for
more than a year , and Belle Hunter
gave up the only chance she had to go
abroad , thinking that he would surely
ask her to niari'y him , but he didn't
Well , I must bo going. I suppose it is
quite useless to ask you to come and
see me soon , for now that you've got
homeyon'll be too utterly happy to
care for the society of your old
friends. "
"I shall never bo too busy nor too
happy to see my old friends , " said
Mildred warmlythough her face still
troubled look "Tell Liz
wore a , me ,
zie , " she added , suddenly , do all my
old friends predict that I shall not be
happy ? "
"Nonsense ! " exclaimed Miss Lay.
' • Didn't I say we ware all full of envy
and jealousy ? You are not really vexed
with me , are you , Milly ? You still
count me as your best friend ? "
"Until you prove an enemy , " said
Mildred , lightly , not answering the
iirst question.
Miss Lay was a little vain , a little
shallow , and yet not bad at heart , and
when she parted with Mildred that
morning she had not the smallest idea
of the sting her thoughtless words had
left behind.
Alone , Mildred asked herself for the
first time in her life how it was possi
ble that she had ever tolerated the
3'oung girl who had just left In her
present state of mind it seemed prepos
terous that she should have entertained
even the slightest feeling of friendship
for such a creature. She remembered
with a feeling of self-contempt that un
til now she had looked upon Lizzie Lay
as her warmest and truest friend. "Yet
why should I worry over the senseless
chatter of a silly , frivolous girl ? " she
asked herself , as she went back to her
pretty room , and taking a book , sat
down by the window to read , and the
first thing her eyes fell upon was the
word's "From John to Helen , " writtou
in her husband's bold hand on the ily-
leaf.
" Her book ! " she said , feeling a sud
den pang of jealous pain for which she
could hardly have accounted , and al
most unanimously she laid the book
aside.
They had been school-mates , Mildred
Lawson and Lizzie Laj' ; had spent their
common vacation together , either at
Mildred's home , or in the pretty little
western town where Lizzie resided. It
was at the latter's home that Mildred
had formed the acquaintance of John
Vernon , and after a short courtship
consented to become his wife. It was
a matter of much surprise to Mddred's
friends when it became a settled fact
that she was to marry Mr. Vernon.
Knowing her strong aversion to wid
owers , and her rather eccentric notions
upon the subject of marriage , it is not
strange that many wondered at her
choice , though it is quite probable that
envy was at the bottom of much of the
gossip. For years mothers had schem
ed and planned , and daughters had
worn their sweetest smiles , in order to
captivate John Vernon , but he had
been proof against all until he met Mil
dred Lawson. Then those who had
concluded that he would never marry
again were obliged to acknowledge
that , however faithful he had seemed
to be to the memory of his dead wife ,
he was certainly deeply in love with
Mildred.
Mildred had been a wife four months .
quite long enough to begin to realize
that marriage meant something more
than a beautiful home over which no
shadow would ever fail , and a husband '
who would always be blind to her .
faults ; and perhaps she would have j
realized it sooner had it not been that ,
immediately after her marriage she had ;
been hurried into a vortex of gaiety , \
visiting and sight-seeing , wliich left her :
no lime for reflection. So she had con- *
tinued to view life , married life at least ,
through rose-colored spectacles , until !
Miss Lay's visit , two days after the
home-coming. Then it seemed that her l
syes were suddenly opened to the fact. ' .
that , as John Vernon ' s wife , she would
be constantreminded ! in a hundred '
lifl'erent ways , that not only was she |
icr husband's second choice , but that
she occupied the second place in his '
leart
"I should have thought of all this [
jefore 1 consented to marry him , " she .
: old herself bitterly , her eyes wanderJ
ng , in spite of herself , to the portrait
jn the wall. "And yet he might have v
spared me the pain of finding some- ?
; hingevery day to remind me of her , ' ' ' l' '
die added , with childish unreasonable- "
less , forgetting that only a little while \
igo she had protested that it was her '
, vish that nothing should be changed
ibout the house. "John should not [
lave married such a foolish , jealous- 5 ,
learted girl , " she mused , with a sudden .
• evulsion of feeling , as she drummed l' '
lismally on the window-pane , against .
vhich a heavy rain had commenced to . a
jatter. The day was dark and gloomy , ; !
juite in keeping with her dismal J
houghts , though onlv this morning
: he had called herself the happiest wo-
nan in the world ! How true it is that
he veriest trifles make up the sum of j
iu man happiness or woe ! Because of
i few careless words , spoken in half f1
est , Mildred wandered aimlessly from w <
oom to room , torturing herself with a "
mndred perplexing questions , until '
iraiu and heart alike ached , and she ? ,
vas at last forced to lie down and sob .
lerself to sleep. " .
She woke with a suddent start when y
he door opened two hours later aud , _
ler husband came in. :
"Have you a headacho Helen' } ' " he ,
isked , with much ccsicern , coming over J.
o the sofa and seating himself beside .
ler. "
For the first time in her life his wife j1
epulsed him coldly.
"My name is Mildred , please remem- "
> er ! " she said , curtly , sitting up quite
traight , while the sudden rush of hoi
ilood to her face as suddently receded , " .
eaving her as pale as death. [
"I'm sorry I blundered , " Vernon . , '
aid , trying to draw her face down tc ls ,
lis shoulder. "Are vou anjnrv with me ,
[ ear ? " " c\ \
"I suppose it is quite useless for me * .
o be angry at what I shall very likely
lave to endure every day of my life.novi ?
hat we are at home where you have so
nucli to remind 3011 > f of the past ! " ' * :
aid Mildred , averting her tear-stained
* *
r
' fnco. and withdrawing from his arms.
Vernon sighed , then bit hi-s lip fierce
ly , to keep buck an angn * retort.
"Mildred. " he said , after a gloomy
silence , "if they aiiuov you. 1 will have ,
those things removed , ' ' aud he glaueed
at the picture 011 the wall , and then at
the books and bric-a-brac scattered
around the 100111. "You remember , it
was because you requested it that I al
lowed them to remain. "
"I thought it would please yon tc
have them , and and I I imagined
1 wouldn't care. " stammered Mildred ,
on the verge of tears again.
"But you find thai yon do caro ; is it
not so ? " Vernon asked , genlfy. Then
without waiting for an answer , he sad :
k "It pains me to see you unhappy , so
soon after our coming home. lias anv-
th'iig happened to vex you to-day ,
darling ? "
"If you only wouldn't forget and call
me Helen , " sobbed Mildred.
"I will be more careful in future. "
promised Vernbn. as he took her iu his
arms and kissed away her tears.
"I know 1 am a silly , jcolous crea
ture , John , " and Mildred's arms were
aiound his neck , and her hot cheek
laid close to his , "but I do want te
think that you never loved anyone as
3-011 love me ! "
"Yon know I love 3'ou fondl } ' and
trufy. above all other women , " said hoi
husband , drawing hor to hU heart. "
"That is not answering my question
properlv , " said Mildred , her jealous
heart prompting her to claim a stronger
statement.
"Then what is it you do wish me tc
say ? " asked Vernon a little impatient-
h' , it must be confessed , for lie was
both surprised and annoyed at this sud
den and unlooked for disjda- jeal
ousy.
"You should say that I am the only
woman vou ever really loved. " said
foolish Mildred , as if any man ever
reached the age of forLy without hav
ing a love affair of some sort.
"It would be wrong for me to make
such an assertion , sinco it would be
telling 3'ou an untruth. " said Vernon ,
gravefy. "Mildred , do } 'ou want me to
say that I didn't love Helen ? " he asked ,
in a low , pained voice.
Mildred was stubbornfy silent
"Because , if you do you are not the
sensible woman I have believed yon tc
be , he said , his dark , handsome face
growing pale and stern.
"One can love but once. There can
be no second love ! " said Mildred , hot-
If this is } 'our belief , you should have
remembered it when I a&ked vou tc
maiTvme. " said Vernon , coldfy , pa
cing the floor.
A spirit of pervirsity prompted Mil
dred to say :
"It would have saved me much pair :
and perhaps a lifetime of regret had J
remembered it" "
"Mildred , " and Vernon stopped ir
his rappidwalk and took hor hands in
a close clasp , "you can't mean what
you have just said ! Sav\ou were not
in earnest unless you wa : t to make me
miserable ! "
"You can't bo more r' .iserable than
I am ! " said Mildred , with -little sob.
"I have been the happiest man in the
world for four months until to-da3 % "
said Vernon , quickly.
"I suppose the home-coming has giv
en } * ou unpleasant thoughts , " said
Mildred , who was in a perfect pass.ou
of unreasonable jealousy and anger.
"You have giver me unpleasant '
thoughtsretorted Vernon , iosing pa- '
tii'nee , and s-peaking in a quick , angry j
voice. "Mildred ans a er me trulv * , are
/ou sorry you married me ? " " '
"I am s mpiy what if. ! s to be a second j
wife ? ' said Mildred , bitterlv. '
"You are angry and unreasonable
just now , " sa.d Vernon , quitely.though
lie had grown white to hilins. . "When j
\ oare calmer , perhaps , you w.ll lake '
1 more sensible view of the matter , " )
md dropping her hand , he abruptly v
juilted tiie room. c
When they met at dinner botii were 3
noody and reserved.et frigid I v polite , '
.hough bevond a few commonplace re- *
narks no words were exchanged. -
The meal over , without a glance at
tor husband's face , Mildred retired to j1
icr room , while Vernon , making no ef- ' "
brt to follow her , l.t a cigar and left
ho house. f
Days and weeks passed thus , Mildred IJ
00 angrv ami stubborn to confess her- | !
elf in the wrong. Vernon too proud '
o intrude where he believed he would v
ie unwelcome. Either purposely or
iirough neglect , the p dure and books
vere not removed , aud Mildred with-
mt consulting her husband , quietly • '
00k possession of a room in the south a
ring of the house , and made no further .
Illusions to her wrongs whether faneiir
d or real. il
Vernon spent the evenings in the "
oom his wife had vacated , and it was [ (
mall comfort to Mildred to know that - :
: he was alone he was constantly sur- '
ounded Av.th mementoes of his lost " ;
Iclen. "Even her picture is dearer to Is
im than I can ever hope to bo ! " she > "
aid herself , bitterly , when on crossing T' '
lie hall , one evening , she saw her bus- > J
and standing before the portrait , his - . c
ice wearing a strange , absent look. ' • '
Vernon was too deeply hurt at his 5t
rife's coldness to notice that she was
aily growing thinner , and that her
yes were constantly dim w 'th unshed
jars. Pride , auger , aud bitter resent- * '
lent were raging in his heart , and lie u <
tnbbornly refused to believe that MilP *
red was long.ng for a reconc.liaton.
Pith the obstinacy of one who believes " (
imself deeply injured , he determined "i
nil Mildred should be the one to break
own the barrier her own hand had s'
a.ised. jH
In these long days and weeks Mil- ' °
red was fast learning the sad truth ° |
nit each added hour of coldness and
Hence was drifting them further
part , aud she shuddered at the Jv
lought of wiiat the end might be. "Our "
nirriage was a wretched mistake ! " 'r
ie said to herself , one night , when se
' ernon with a careless kiss and "good
ight. " had gone out , and she realized aT
nit another long , lonely evening was "i
sfore her. "What a miserable farce it
! " she exclaimed aloud , "this ex- J °
liange of polite greetings , , these cold y *
iresses that mean nothing ! Win * "r
lould we trouble ourselves to blind v
ie world to the bitter truth ? Sooner J1 (
r later il will be found out He is ,0
appier when away from me , and I am ca
liserable in this house. Why should I
; : i } ' here lonefy and uuhapp } * night afai
tor night , when they want and miss mo
30 at homo ? I will not bear it another
ihiv ! " she added , passionately , a sud
den determination com.ng too hor ,
born of her anger and loneliness.
Throwing aside the book she had been
pretending to read , she donned cloak
and hat , and , notwithstanding the late
ness of the hour , hurriedly left tho
house.
"Is Mr. Vernon out of town that you
have condescended to pa } ' 1110 a visit ?
Surely you d dn't walk and it raining
and almost dark ? " and Miss Lay has
tened to remove M ldred's wet cloak.
"WI13Milly ! " with a iglauco at the
white , set face , "havo 3011 been ciwing !
Is thingwrong ? " and hor face that ,
at sight of Mildred had dimpled all
over with smiles , instant' } ' grew sober.
Mildred sank into , a chair before the
C0S3lire while Miss Lay established
herself on a low stool.
"llavo } ou had bad news from
home ? " sho continued , as Mildred held
her hands in the warmth of the lire
without speaking.
"No ; it's about John. We quarreled ,
and and , oh , Lizzie , I am so unhap
py ! " and , laying her head in Miss Lay's
lap. Mildred sobbed out the whole mis
erable stoiy.
"You foolish child ! " exclaimed Miss
Lay. " 1 don't wonder thai John was
angry ! "
"So you think I was wholly fo
blame ? " said Mildred , with Hashing
C3res ; "and after sa\'ing what 3-011 did
about marrying a widower , too. "
"I understand now ; it was my fool
ish words thai caused all the trouble.
My silly tongue is forever getting me
into a scrape , " said Miss Lay , in atone
of genuine regret.
"It would have been the same if vou
hadn't said a word. " exclaimed Mil
dred , passionately. "Sooner or later I
would have found out what a terrible
mistake I have made ! "
"stuff"and nonsense ! " cried Miss Lay ,
with a sniff' , "I have always thought
you a sensible g'i'1 ' , Mildred , but I con
fess that 3'ou are acting very foolishly
now , "
"I suppose I have no right to com
plain , as I was not forced into this mar
riage , but I certainly expected some 1
S3'inpathy from yon , " said Mildred , in 1
an injured tone. "As it seems quite ]
useless to explain matters I will not i
trouble you further , " and she rose as if j
to go. i
"Sifc down , } 'ou unreasonable child , 1
and tell me what you want me to do. " 1
said Miss Lav % drawing her stool near1 1
er the lire. "I am sorry you're so un
happy , though I don't see that 3011 1
have any cause to be so wretched and i
heart-broken. You have it in 3our <
power to be the happiest woman in
town , " she continued as Mildred , with \
a heavy sigh , resumed her seat. J
Certainlv Mss Lay was displa-ing
more forethought and wisdom than one 1
would have expected from so shallow ii
and frivolous a creature , : i
"What can I do for you Mildred ? " a
she asked , alter a little silence. v
"You can let me stay with 3011 till
morning , " said Mildred , with sudden s
eagerness. " 1 I am going home
to-morrow , " her voice faltering a little , c
"I couldn't bear to stitjanother night
in that house ! " i
"Mildred , 3011 are 110L in earnest ? " f
and Miss Lav's bine 0305 opened wide
with a.slonishment. d
"But I am m earnest veiy much in c
parnest , " returned Mildred , quickly , si
her voice grow ng linn again. "I see tl
110 reason why I should sttu * here and
be miserable when they want me so at h
lome , the bos s especially. Jack writes a
: hat father mopes all day , and Tom has li
jrokeu his arm , and tli.ngs are getting je
oji-s } * turyy , and "
"A pure fabrication of Jack's , " in- in
errupted Miss Lay , "just written to p <
ill up space. Andou want to leave d :
* our beautiful home ami a husband that
vorships tiie very ground that you walk fn
in ; don 't shake your head in that h :
cornful wa3" , for it's true to go bade
o those horrid troublesome boys ! Well , at
only w sh John Vernon had asked me in
o many him ! " vi
Mildred laughed m spite of herself 111
t the owl-like gravitof Miss Lay's dr
aok and tone. kt ;
"That's better , and goes to prove
hatou'rc not half as wretched as you gi
tuagine. Now , Mildred , the right way vo
0 manage a man is to make him bew <
ieve he's the only man in the world of
rorth looking at. " he
"Is that all ? " asked Mildred , dryly. fa <
"Yes. "
qu
"Then I'm afraid I'll never learn how isli
3 manage a man , " said Mildred , with im
litle curl of the lip. LA
"See here Mildred * * '
, , 3011 know3011're
1 the wrong , and it's your business to
jt matters right again , " said Miss
a3 * . beginning to lose patience and to '
jalize that she had a rather difficult f41
isk before her. "I know John Vernon tni
etter than you do. if he is your bus- t0 ]
: ind , and 1 know just how sensitive he
nJj
, and how casify you have made him
rjC
jlieve that he is too old and quiet for |
mt
ou , and that he has tired you with his j
< ro ]
mplo. commonplace ways. I know , 1 j , ,
io , that he's ju3t miserable over thii j .ju
ttle what shall I call it ? misuuder-
su
"
anding. to
"Do you really think he is ? " asked f.ir
[ ildrcd. unbending a little. tjie
"I am certa ' n he is. How can he be '
m
nything else ? "Now , Mildred , go „ , . . ;
jme , like a good girl and make } * our " j
jace with him. "
m : ,
*
Mildred burst into tear = . and taking 0 ,
2i * silence as a good s-gn , Miss La\ * „ ' , .f
istened fo follow up her advantage. _ _ jn „
• Til sendou home in the carriage , " { j1C (
ie sa.d , as she helped M hired on with
Qvr
• r < loakaud hat. Tell J aim 3011 felt j
mefy and ran over to spind a i hour c
• two w.th me , " she added , as she
goo
ssed Mildred " .
good-b\ floc
"Lizz e , I believe I was mad a little
SC
bile " Mihired. "You
ago , whispered 0j-
ive saved me from a lit e-t ime of mis- ajl ,
3and regret ! Anil you will keep 1313pr ' 0
crel ? " she added , pleadingly. jn j
A pressure of the hand was her only to .
lswer , and looking back Mildred saw tv _ *
at the blue eyas were full of tears. jfnc
At half past eight o'clock , contrary ofr
his custom. Vernon returned home.
Dtild it have been the memory of Mil-
ed's sad , wistful face that spoiled his Je
ening's pleasure and hurried him aJV (
> me ? if two or three hours of aimless reaj
ungiug in the club rooms could be
lied pleasure. H
The truth was he was getting tired The
id restless over this cold silence end the
J ]
= - = = = I
restraint , for which , according to hit j
idea of right and , ho was not to blame , . , J
yet ho longed to mako his penco wlti
Mildred , longed to take her in lib nrnM ,
and k ss away , hor tears , and assur * j
her over and ovor again how dear she j
was to him and how much ho mis-iec 1
the sweut companionship that had been |
theirs until this cloud camo betwaos
them. To-night , for tho first time since 1
their estrangement , his heart softcnec '
at the memory of her pale , weary face
"I havo been a brute and a fool ! he '
said to himself. "I should havo reJ
memhered that sho was young nnc ,
thoughtless , and that her sudildiout7 * * *
burst of jealousy was a proof th she * Jf
cared for me , perhaps , morothnn I do- i
serve. I wonder if I made a mistake 1
in asking such a childish creature tc 1
marrv me ? No doubt she would have j
been happier as the wifo of a youngoi ;
" '
man.
Closing tho door of his room softly ,
he crossed the hall and looked into his j
wife's room. A lire burned cheerfullj (
in the grate ; an open book lay on the r j
table , and a pair of dainty , embroiderec M
slippers had been thrown carelessly bj M
the lire. On the open book lay a little m
glove with the faint perfume of violet' M
still clinging to it. How vividly every- '
thing suggelsed the presence of hii M
young wife , and yet tho room was va- M
cant ! M
A sudden , vague foreboding seizec m
him , as he pushed the door open 'M '
and went in , then with a little nervoui
laugh he sat down before the lire.
"How foolish I am , she has only gone ,
out for an hour or two. It is quite
comfortablo here ; I will wait awhile. " 'M '
He fell to thinking and tho more lie
reasoned , the stronger was his convic-
tion that he had been iuiichif not wholh * , !
to blame for the present wretched state 'fl '
of affairs. He recalled with a feeling jM <
of self-reproach that he had spoken * fl
harshly and coldfy , when a few kind H
words might have set matters straight ( S
"Yet she must know that I love her , " '
he said aloud , picking up the glove and H
pressing il to his lips. Then looking S
up suddenlv , ho saw Mildred standing fl
in the open door. ; < H
"John ! " and she came a step for'fl
ward , her C3'es shining , her voice full jH
of pleased surprise. "I thought you
had gone out and and I ran over tc 'fl '
Lizzie's a little while. I had 110 idea it M
was raining so hard , " she added , : u M
she removed her damp cloak and came J A
nearer to the lire. "Lizzie senl me i fl
h.onie in the carriage , " with a quick M
jlush aud a furtive glance at her bus- ' M
jand. ' M
"Mildred , " and Vernon now drew ' M
ler down to his knee , "don't 3011 think M
t about time you were devoting some M
) f vour spare evenings to vie1 } " ' H
"And don't yon think about time you H
vere quitting that horrid club ? " asked H
\l \ ldred , hid Higher face on his shoulder. H
"After to-night it shall know me na H
nore , " sa'd Vernon , earnestly , as he ' H
Irew her closer to his breast "I'm . H
ifraid 3011 are. too young to understand H
. crustv old fellow like Ine , " he added , H
vith a sigh. i H
"Nonsense , I am almost twentv ! " ! J I
aid Mildred , with a happy laugh. H
"Ami I am forty , " said Vernon , "a H
ross and crabbed ' * j H
"The dearest aud best old fellow in j H
he world ! " interrupted Mildred with a H
ond kiss. |
• • After to-night you arc never to i j H
oubt me again , " said Vernon. "Be- , H
ause" h s voice growing a little ! H
teni "where there is no perfect trust j H
lere can be 110 hupp.ucss. " i M
"I don 't sec how we are going to be J H
: ippy if vou keep bringing upd.sagree- i J
ble subjects , " sa d Mildred with 3 ) H
ttle pout. "It is my nature to be H
" >
: alous. ' H
"And mine , " said Vernon smother- / i H
ig a strong desire to laugh. "I ex- I H
jet to knock the lirst man down that jH
ires to piry } 'ou an open compliment" ij fl
"And I expect to be a martyr in the [ H
it lire , " said Mildred , w.th an air of H
ippy resignation. M
Miss Lay continues a frequent visitor i H
Mildred's home , and notwith.staud- | H
g the reputation she bears of being a |
1:11. : shallow creature , a gossip , and / H
ischiefinaker , she has convinced Mil- t l
ed , at least , that she knows how to l
: ep a secret. r r |
Although Vernon , . ' '
having alw.ays re'M
trded Miss Lay as a woman most de- ' ! * |
iid of brains and with very little heart * i H
mders sometimes at his wife's choice < ! H
a friend , he sa s nothing. * because , , H
believes that Mildred has the happy t j H
juit3' of drawing out Miss Lay's good ; H
aiities , and because in his fond fool- ' | H
i eyes , his wife is that creature of the ' ' H
agination a perfect woman ! Ade- ' H
ide D. Rollstox , in 'the Current. , * H
A Feline Adopts a Litter of Eats. ' H
Joseph Messenger , a well-known l H
mer , who enjo3's a rcputat on tor f H
ithfulness , credits the follow.ng story ' H
d of his cat , wh.ch is famous in the H
ighborhood where he resides for her H
: ord as a successful ratter and |
uiser : A few days ago. as Messen- , H
r entered his barn , he saw a big rat * > |
up out of a barrel and scamper awa\\ | H
u farmer looked in the barrel and |
v six 30ung rats which where unable ' H
get out. ila went and brought his |
nous rat-killing cat and put her in \ |
: barrel , as the quickest wav of rid- . |
g the premises of the six Incipient ! H
L'o Iii.s great surprise she did not H
ke short siirift of them , but on the ' H
itrar\'took .the rat family under her |
itection and treated them with as |
ch consideration and affection as H
ugh the3 * had been a litter of her H
1 |
L'hc news of this remarkable whim on 1 < H
part of the Messenger rat-destrover ' 'lH
n spread to the neighbors , and thev H
• ked to the barn to see the curious j H
ctacle. The constant appearance |
stangers at the barrel evidently ' . ' H
rmed the cat for the safety of he " r { H
teges , for she began to carry them i , j H
icr mouth , as she might her kittens , " sT \ H
1 place of greater exclusion and safeJ ? } H
At this point the farmer drew the * \ ] H
f , and slaughtered the cat's family , H
atlings , much to her apparent grief. * w M
Utoona ( I'emt. ) Times. M
1 Boston "early June peas" are alreadx |
irtised. This shows that the season il ' , |
ly advauein . Albany Argut. |
. . j M
anncr is the name of one Congressman. ' ' H
appellation would do service for aioat a ' |
rest Philadtlchia North JLtnerfJin. | |
t H
- - - - - - > J H