The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-09-20
MRS. JONES, ELOPEMENT.

hhS. dUNES ELOE LMEN1s
Mr.. Jones came home that afternoon
tfeeling cross and tired. Business had
been dull, and the clerks had been pro
voking. When he fell out OF sorts, as
hc did that day, nice supper and hi.
wife's company were the best antidotes
he knew Of, and he hoped to have them
effect cure in this case, as they often
had in other Instances.
But Mrs. Jones was out, the girl said.
She had been busy all the afternoon il
her room; 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 husband, when
he came home, TINT she should not be
back until late in the evening. "Gone
out on particular business, she said, y
added Bridget.
"On particular business" growle,1
a Jones. ard like to know what particu,
lar business shc has. I should soy il
wns wife's business to stay at home.
She knew. Of course, that 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-because
nm out Of the way. Iwish knew where
she's gone"
He went up to her room to see il she
d had worn some OF her best clothes.
"Becausc, if she has," reasoned Mr..
Jones, "she's gone off to have a good
time with some one she cares more FOL
than she does for me-"
Mr.. Jones' brow was black as any
thunder cloud at the thought. he was
/. i'll precisely the right frame Of mind to
mike mountains out Of mole-hills.
1! But she hadn't worn any Eof her new
dresses.
at can't bo she's going to q party,
then," concluded Mr.. Jones, cor she'd
have rugged up more. II must be she 8
going somewhere else and wants to keep
dark. 1t begins to look mysterious. A
woman don't generally go OF in this way
without saying something to her hus.
band, and wear her old clothes. without
its meaning something, I've observed, u
said Mr.. Jones, solemnly, to the Mr..
Jones in the glass. "Td like to know
what it all does mean, anyhow"
1t WIS Just ut this iuncture TINT Mr..
Jones discovered Il letter on Mrs. Jones
writing desk. 1t was freshly written
page, beginning:
"DEAR EDWARD"
Mr.. Jones' hair raised OH end when
his eagle eye caught tho sight OF TINT
name. What awful thing had he dis.
covered ? Could it be that his wife was
in the habit of writing letters to gentle.
men I Perhaps she had gone out to
meet one now.
He read the letter through without
stopping to takc breath from beginning
to end.
II read rs follows:
DEAR EDWARD:
l have read your touching appeal over
and over, until every word Of it is
stamped upon my heart. 1t lias caused
me to fight terrible battle with myself.
I|love You, and there is no Use for me to
deny it. l cannot deceive myself nor
you by so doing. But my duty is ia
stuy with my husband. I loathe him-I
deSpise him he is tyrant-but ho is
my husband, md, us such, suppose he
has claim upon me in the eyes OF the
world TINT you have not. But, my
darling, | love you, and | have come to
the conclusion to east my lot with yours.
l will do us you wish me to. will meet
you Mt the oak tree tonight ut ten
o'clock. hope l shall
And here, Mt the bottom OF the page,
the letter broke off very abruptly. The
other side OF the pNgc was blank.
"Grcat JehosOphat !" Tint was the
awful word that broke Mr.. Jones' lips
when hc had finished reading. 1t WINS
the neafest to swearing Of any word he
indrlgcd in. II ever he felt justified III
using it he did now. His face was O
sight to behold. 1t was full OF anger,
and surprise, and complete bewiller,
lncnt.
"She loves him, does she Z" le ejacuY
lated, fllintly. "And lma tyrant, nm
il The wrctched creature She loathes
me, and deSpises me, does shel I'll
show her n thing or two. Let me sec
ten o'clock, and I'll learn your 'Deal
Edward something he won't forget. III
go out this blessed minute and get 0
couple of officers, and we'll wait for
you. l fancy wen surprise you little
Great Jehosophat and she's actually
been deceiving mo all tho time, and let
ting some other nan talk love to her,
and coax her to elope with him I cant
believe it, and yet I can't doubt it, fol
here it is in her own handwriting.
wouldn't have believed it il I hadn'
seen it in black and white. Dear me
wonder il I can bear up under the awfu
blow2 What will folks Sayi shall bt
ashamed to meet anybody. It's awful
awfulr and Mr.. Jones wiped his fac
with his handkerchief and looked thu
complete picture Of grief.
Mr.. Jones was 80 "struck NIL OF
heap" to Use his own expression, by tn
terrible intelligence that he didn't stol
TO relson over tho matter. He neve
once thought that "dear Edward
conduit by any possibility have recctye'
This letter, since It hadn't bsen sent. II
only realized that sho was going 10 NEE
hcr luverr' t"n o'clock.