Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-05-20
MRS. JONES ELOPEMENT.

Mr.. Jones came home that afternoon
feeling cross and tired. Business had
been dull, aud the clerks had been pro-
voking. When he felt out of sorts, a.
he did that day, q nice supper and his
wife's company were the best antidotes
he knew Of, and he hoped to have them
effect q cure in this instance, as they
often had in other instances.
But Mrs. Jones was out, the girl said.
She had been busy in her room all the
afternoon; she didn't know what she
was doing. About an hour ago she had
put on her bonnet and gone out, and
had charged her to tell her huahau1.
when - came horBes tAat = 8 j
not - 6odk until late II tie evening.
Gone out on particular business, she
said, added Bridget.
'On particular business growled
Jones. I'D like to know what partic-
ular business she has. should say it
was wife's business to stay at home.
She knew, Of course, that I was coming
home completely tired out, but that
doesn't interfere with her. pleasure in
the least. She can enjoy herself Just
the same-probably all the more, be-
cause I am out of the way. I wish
knew where she'd gone
He went up to her room to see if she
had worn some of her best clothes.
Because, if she has, reasoned Mr..
Jones, she's gone off to have a good
time, with some one she cares more for
than she does for me-
Mr.. Jones brow was black "a any
thunder-cloud at the thought. He was
in precisely the right frame Of mind to
make mountains out of mole hills.
But she hadn't worn any of her new
dresses.
1t can't be she's going to a party,
then, concluded Mr.. Jones, 'or she'd
have rugged up more. 1t must be she's
going somewhere else, and wants to
keep dark. 1t begins to look mysteri-
Gus. A woman don't generally go off
in this way, without SAYING something
to her husband, and wear old clothes,
without meaning something, I've OBJ
serxed,' said Mr., Jones, solemnly, to
Mr.. Jones in the glass. I'D like to
know what il all does NEAR, anyhow
It was just at this juncture that Mr..
Jones discovered letter on Mrs. Jones'
writing desk. 1t was freshly written
page, beginning:
DEAR EDWARD
Mr.. Jones' hair raised on end when
his eagle eye caught the sight Of that
name. What awful thing had he dis
covered? Could it be that his wife was
in the habit of writing letters to gem
Perhaps she has gone out to
meet one now.
He read the letter through without
stopping to take breath, from beginning
to end.
It read as follows:
DEAR EDWARD:
4 have read your touching appeal
over and over, until every word of it is
stamped upon my heart. 1t has caused
me to fight terrible battle with my
self. I love you, and there is no use
for me to deny it. I cannot deceive
myself, nor you, by SO doing. But my
duty is to stay with my husband. l
loathe him-I despise him; he is ty-
he is my husband, and as
such, suppose he has a claim upon
me, in the ewes of the world, that YOU
have not. But, my darling, / lore you,
and have come to the conclusion to
cast my lot with yours. l will do as
you wish ME to. 1 will meet you at the
oak tree tonight at ten o'clock. hope
I shall
And here, at the bottom of the page,
the letter broke off very abruptly. The
other side of the page was blank.
Great Jehosophat = That was the
awful word that broke from Mr.. Jones'
lips, when he had finished reading. 1t
was the nearest to swearing of any word
he indulged in. If ever he felt justi-
fed in using it, he did now. His face
was q sight to behold. 1t was full of
anger and surprise, and complete be-
wilderment.
She loves him, does she 2 he eiacu-
lated, family. And I'm a tyrant, am
II The wretched creature! She loathes
me, and despises me, does she ? I'll
show her thing or two. Let me see
ten o clock, at the oak tree; I'll be there.
my dear, and I'll learn your dear Ed
ward something he won't forget. I'll
go out this blessed minute and get q
couple Of officers, and wen wait for YOU.
/ fancy Wen surprise you little. Great
Jehosophat and she's actually been
deceiving me all the time. and letting
some other man talk love to her, and
coax her to elope with him! 1 can't
believe it, and vet can't doubt il, for
here it is in her own writing. Wouldn't
have believed it, if / hadn't seen it in
black and white. Dear me! / wonder
if ! can bear up under the awful blow
What will folks say? l shall be
ashamed to meet anybody. It's awful
awful = and Mr.. Jones wiped his face
with his handkerchief, and looked the
complete picture of grief.
Mr.. Jones was so struck all of
heap to use his own expression, by the
terrible intelligence that be didn't stop
to reason over the matter. He never
ence thought that Dear Edward could
not by any possibility have received this
letter, since it hadn't been sent. He
only realized that his wife was going
TO run away. and that she was going to
meet her lover ut ten O'Clock.
IN bs there, my lady, said Mr..
Jones. significantly, putting on his over
coat, preparatory to setting out in search
Of the proper officers. I'm be there,
and I'll give your Dear Edward some
thing be didn't bargain for. I'll Dear
Edward him