The true northerner., 1873-02-14

waiting was soon ended by the appear
ance of Mr.. T. in light doeskin gloves,
well brushed overcoat, shining hat, and
his favorite cane, just as IA gay deceiver
would probably be when keeping sub
rosa appointment early III the afternoon
at picture gallery.
The meeting was not affectionate-
they were wary and discreet, thought
Mrs. L.
There was no whispered conversation
between them ; they were up in the bust
ness of such meetings-an old story,
thought Mrs. L.
Are you ready?' asked Mr.. T., to
which the lady answered 4: "Yes, but l
must be back to dinner :" and Mrs. T.
was thoroughly satisfied that the faith
lessness of her husband was an old mat
ter, and it took all the possible control
of her actions to prevent an interruption
of the interview and the scene which
would be the consequence, rs she nerv-
ously followed the quiet couple over to
Broadway, where they took an omnibus
bound down town-and SO did Mrs. II. =,
but of another line and, with the win
dow down, and the cold air reddening
her nose and blowing III upon her aching
forehead, sRe watched.
To Maiden lane she followed them,
and then to the store of well known
fllrrier, where she saw them enter and
she had the very unpleasant alternative
of waiting outside for whole hour, till
she felt that she must be discovered :;
and then went home-home, which to
her seemed the charnel house of her
affections, and where she clasped her
children to her motherly bosom, and,
while she allowed her tears of agony to
fall upon their dearlittle innocent heads.
she waited and watched for their father,
who had deceived her so cruelty.
But Mr.. Timothy Thistledown did not
come punctually at the dinner hour the
clock which stood upon the mantel in
the library was sepulchral in its tones,
and sounded like the knell Of her affec-
tions as it tolled the hours away, and
the dinner was cold upon the table,
when the sound of wheels ut the doors
aroused her. and the slamming of car
riage door caused her to start.
True enough, it was her husband with
the light gloves, the shiny hat, and the
pet cane, and he came directly into the
library where the light was burning, and
where there was no drop-lght, for it had
been demolished by the sofa pillow at
their morning encounter.
Mr. Thistledown kissed the children.
threw down his newspaper and a small
brown paper bundle and said nothing to
his WIFE
Then he looked at her in a cold, I'M
feeling manner, she thought, and rung
the call-bell.
Dinner, Jane - was all that he said
rs the waitress answered the summons.
and then his face lighted up with expec-
tation as the sound of the door-bcil
ringing was family heard And then the
cruel, heartless, deceiving husband went
to the door-a drop too much, this ac-
ton, in the cup of matrimonial unhap-
piness already placed at Mrs. Thistle
downs lips, and which was overhowing
with bitterness.
"Stop there, Timothy Stop, | say
/ know all - shouted his wife, catching
him by the arm.
But he smiled nj her-a sardonic, de-
ceptive smile, she thought-and opened
the door despite her remonstrance.
The pretty widow stood upon the door
step, her pretty cheeks red from the
cold, and she came forward pleasantly to
greet Mrs. Thistledown and the children,
calling her maria, as she always did,
and STOPPING down to kiss the children
She did not, however, although little
Timothy, Jr. S lips were ready for the
greeting; a strong hand pressed her
back, and Mrs. Il. placed her arms
around the children III IA sheltering man
as she had seen the prima
donna Norma" do at the Academy.
Stand off frommy children, madam :"
said the agonized lady, almost overcome
by the confident assurance of her visitor
g go with their father, if You choose, but
not with my children. They are not tit
for you.
She did not pause long enough to
think that it was not her proper play to
expose her knowledge but before the
pretty widow could render an explana-
ton, or even ask the question which
should have preceded it, she told her
story, the quarrel Mt table, the note in
llit Npib pbNhfl, NHt I'tIlllplIlCO DItih-
fast, the appointment at the gallery, and
the visit to Maiden lane, where she
had given up the chase and awaited the
issue ut home, and then handed to Mr.
Timothy Thistledown whole page of
closely written letter which she had IN
,lited to him by way of farewell epis-
tie, and which she had concealed in her
bosom till the proper moment
for It's presentation.
Mr.. Timothy Thistledown read the
letter, tore it up, and laughed, and then
the widow laughed, while Mrs. Thistle
down cried.
But the door-bcll rang again, and
boy, just alighted from furrier's wagon,
stood upon the steps, extending box in
his little cold hands.
For Mrs. Thistledown.- paid, sign
the receipt, please" said the lad, ex-
tending book, open, with his finger
pointed to the blank line, where Mrs.
Thistledown was To sign for 1.-TWO
packages-muff, tippet and cloak.
But the lady did not sign-she left the
package in the hall and again went into
the library and sank down upon the
sofa, while the pretty widow took the
book, and, without removing her light
gloves, signed the receipt, sitting at the
escritoire.
Too jealous by half, my dear" said
Il = - tl,trfI IL