Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-12
1ailp Aennebtt soutnal.
from the Galaxy. j
FTUM INC uHl
JOHN WEIGHS WIFE.
TcoNrtSuKD FROM YESTERDAY. !

was looking at Inc matter quietly. Alter
all, John had done nothing but absent
himself from home more and more each
week; he had simply grown cold to her.
1t might have been caused by tight place
in business. fit Of indigestion. There was
no other woman in the case. If there had
been another woman! She got up and
stood quite still in the middle of the room.
There was tap at the door.
"a note. a'am," said the chamber
maid. The note was from her friend Mrs.
Mace, vice-president and "cutterout",
with herself in the sewing society.
Mrs. Mace wanted pattern of new
overskirt. She had "seen one on Miss
Voysey, who was staying at the Hoopers
and thought, as Mr.. WEIGH was so partic-
ular friend of hers. you might be init
mate enough with her to borrow it. by
the way, what good, unselfish creature
you are TO allow Mr.. W to be so faith
on one Of their excursions for autumn
leaves to the woods this morning, and
thought, why was not dear Winny Of that
party? Surely she enjoys fresh air and
autumn leaves as we'll as they. But you,
busy little house-keeper. were picking or
preserving, no doubt. Don't carry your
ScA-uCuIdi tOO Wv VIVA
them to the opera tomorrow night.
Winifred let the paper fall. John My
husband! To the woods--with woman
It's lie! lie N
She picked up the letter, and tore it into
pieces in her white heat of rage. Then
she sat down, according to her habit, to
think it over quietly"
When John WEIGH came home about
ypidpir ha foupd hic yyifp in .Ipnny,S
room, leaning over her crib with medi-
cines and bath tubs in readiness. "She
had been threatened with Group" she said
without looking up. She had thought it
over enough to know that it was true.
The explanation was enough to account
for his blue lips and hollow eyes. He took
the baby's hand and kissed it. "Calr me
if am needed" he said. going sleepily
to bed.
But when he was there he could not
sleep. Miss Voysey had gone with him to
hunt minerals $50 different from Winny
who called even my specimens of corun-
dunn and beryl, stones They might as
we'll be bits of a McAdam turnpike for her
Laura Voysey was keen eyed as lynx
looking for minerals and simple, frank as
a child in her manner and talk. She had
genuine huinor too, which women always
lack" he thought.
But it certainly was not the quartz she
had found, nor her jokes which made him
toss sleeplessly over poor Winny's braided
pillow covers half of the night. 1t was a
word or two in ballad she had sung, a
piteons little thing in minor key; it was
burning heat that rose to her face as he
took her hand to help her into the car this
morning, and the terrified glance at him
lest he had seen it. "She is inst like
child,' he muttered, "quite unable to con-
ceal her emotions. yet doubtless with emo
tons, of woman"
Mr.. WEIGH breakfasted alone the next
morning. His wife. the servant reported,
had fallen asleep after her long walk.
When he came home in the evening he
found note on the table from her, say
ing that as the child still seemed ailing,
she had determined to take it up to Beth
lehem. for purer air, and might remain
for day or two. The nurse was with her
and they would board at the old Sun Ho
tel and be very comfortable and she was
his. very hastily, Winny.
John WEIGH changed color. Gone
without consulting me, without saying
good-by " Why, but little while ago
She wonld not go out tor an hour without
kissing him, and whispering, God bless
you, dear" She was such loving, de-
vout little thing! 1t gave him wrench in
some part of his nature, which Miss Voy-
sey had not reached, for her to neglect
him.
1t was convenient for her to be out of
town tonight. In that case nobody could
take exception to his joining the Hooper
party at the opera. He went to dress in
nervous futter. The opera, and the even
ing dress, was q novelty to the staid,
church-going business man. He was 90.
ing to study this young girls nature, too,
as mere intellectual enjoyment; she was
alone. unappreciated by her family, he
knew from chance words she had dropped
he could give her at least silent, tender
sympathy. The white gloves and delicate
neck-tie were adjusted at last. and he took
his way to the Hoopers'. After he had
crossed the street, little black figure,
wrapped in waterproof darted out of
the door and followed him in the shadow.
Jenny and the nurse were asleep in the
old Dutch hotel at Bethlehem, but Jenny's
mother had been hidden all day in the
garrett.
"Helio! just IN Tune, Welcn, cried
Major Hooper, as he came into the bril-
liantly lighted parlor Mrs. WEIGH not
coming? Out of town? Too bad. Well,
you and Laura can discuss your rocks UNI
disturbed. Laura has the headache too,
poor child"
The windows, contrary to Philadelphia
usage, were open. and Winny could see
the tall, rounded figure half-reclining on
the sofa, the white furred cloak suffering
the soft neck and shoulders to CLEAN into
light. Miss Voysey was not a beautiful
woman, but her eyes, tender and liquid.
looked into every mans face as though he
were the only living being she could trust
and after that thick nose or heavy jaw
mattered little. John Welch, drawing
closer to her and meeting this look with
the hazy effect of half barred bosom,
snowy silk, and warm hand outstretched,
felt as though he were about 10 drink some
unknown wine, whose fumes had already
intoxicated him.
A couple of policemen going by brushed
against small cloaked figure on the 9th
er side of the way. One Of them touched
her on tho hack ssYou'd hest move on