The visitor was the worst possible
one she could have under the circum
stances. Crowding herself on terms of
| the closest intimacy with the pretty 1
bride, who with her husband had
moved into the village a twelvemonth i
| previous, Miss Elvira Simmons had
made the very most of her opportnn- |
ities, and by dint of making great par
: ade over helping her in some domestic
j work, such as houseclcaning, dressmak
ing, and the like, the maiden lady had
j managed to ply her other vocation.that
of newsgalhercr, at one and |ho same
1 time, pretty effectually.
She always called her by her first
name, though Betty inwardly resented
it; and she made a great handle of her
friendship on every occasion, making
i John rage violently, and vow a thou
sand times the “old maid” should walk!
But she never had—and now, scenting
dimly, like a carrion after its prey, that
trouble might come to the pretty little
white house, the make-mischief had
come to do her work, if devastation had
really commenced.
“ Been crying!” she said, more plain
ly than politely, and sinking down into
the pretty chintz-o overed rocking chair
with an energy that showed she meant
to stay, and made the chair creak fear
fully. “Only folks do say that you and
your husband don’t live happy- but la!
I wouldn’t mind—l know ’tain’t your
fault.”
Betty’s heart stood still. Had it come
to this! John and she not to live hap
pily! To bo sure they didn’t, as she
remembered with a pang the dreadful
scene of words and not tempers; but
had it gotten around so soon—a story
in everybody’s mouth.
