The Good Time Coming

arriage immediately after breakfast; and he rarely came back until nightfall. "Some matters of business," he would answer to the questi

ortico, beside Mrs. Markland, one morning, looking after the carriage which was bearing her brother off to the c

ghed faintly, bu

him off to town, po

pose," was the h

ind of business,

me as to that," quietly

querulously. "Why

. If he has any thing to confide to m

nner of Miss Grace showed that she, at le

ld I be i

ay, with lips sealed like an oyster, and remain as patient as a pet lamb tied with a blue ribbon? Oh dear! no! Grace Markland's made of warmer s

t agree to that for a mom

is sister, and ought to k

," was the gentle

Grace, in her off-hand way, drawing her arm within that of Mrs. Markla

ur, Grace! Edward has done not

sn't,

N

city every day for a week at a stretch, and never so m

that business requi

busi

ain business matters to their wives. One-half would not understand what they we

e of your lords of creation would find different stuff in me. But I'm not satisfied with Edward's

and. She did not reply; but looked, with a m

ne of your men that cast shadows wherever they go. I felt

ession. She had felt the shadow of his presence without really perceiving from whenc

for it; and if he doesn't get Edward into trouble bef

Another shade of anxiety flitted o

going to town every day has som

h nearly two weeks

Edward interested in some of his doings. Why, isn't it as plain as daylight? Were not he and Edward all-absorbed about something while he was here? Didn't he

d the business that requires Edward's attention in the city. The truth is, Edward has grown weary of an idle life, and I shall not at all reg

pend on the direction hi

the right direction has not been taken." There was just perceptible a touch of indignation i

. If my suspicion is bas

k, and passed her mother and aunt on the portico, without lookin

at all like herself." And as she uttered these words, not meaning them

vine-wreathed portico-"well, well,-some people are blind. This is like laying a block in a man

d. He was not only absent in the city every day, but his mind was so fully occupied when at home, that he took little interest in the family circle. Sometimes

any really existing source of anxiety. But in this she was far from being successful; and the weight continued to grow heavier as the hours moved on. Earlier than she had expected its return, the carriage was announced, and Mrs.

red the coachman, at the

Mrs. Markland's thoughts were

he must be there to-morrow morning. But he'l

and as it passed on, she broke the seal of her letter, which she found to

r," she said; for Fann

is father?" asked Fan

ew York," said Mrs. Markla

wer. With a flushed cheek and quickening pulse, she bounded away from her mother

ot give the subject the serious consideration it requires. I leave it with you, having more faith in your intuitions than in my own judgment. He did not hint, even remotely, at a correspondence with Fanny, when he left; nor has he mentioned the fact of enclosing a letter for her in the one received from him to-day. Thus, delicately, has he left the matter in our hands. Perhaps you had better retain the letter until I return. We can then digest the subject more thoroughly. But, in order to furnish your mind some basis to rest upon, I will say, that during the time Mr. Lyon was here I observed him very closely; and that every thing

contents were already

Grace, coming up at this moment, and seeing that

husband's letter in silence to her sister-in-law, and tot

d of such assurance! Oh! I knew that some trouble would come of his visit here. I felt it the moment I set my eyes on him. Keep

ured the unhappy mothe

w? What do yo

the lette

e in the voice of Aunt Grace, that seemed

enclosing the one for her. I did not dream from when

ou done?" exclaimed Aunt G

ion been left with me, I should not have given Fanny the letter until Edward returned. But it pass

d. Wise people control such things through the wisdom given them. I alway

rarely disturbed Mrs. Markland, who knew her thoroughly, and valued her for her good qualities and s

eems to have lost his common sense. And then he must go off into that rigmarole about Mr. Lyon, and try to make him out a saint, as if to encourage you to give his letter to Fanny. I've no patience with him! Mr. Lyon, indeed! If he doesn't have a heart-scald of him before he's d

arose and commenced moving toward the house, her sister-in-law walking by her side,-"an

holding strangers at arms'

less a subject. On entering the house, she passed to her o