The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-02-28
JEssIE,s TEST

Miss Jerusha Jenkinson folded her
napkin with slow, precise carefulness,
and then followed her pretty little host
ess from the dining-room back to the
parlor, where the soft astral lamp giowed
like silver moon, and the illuminated
stove made red shadows on the brown
rep easy chair in which MISS JenKlnson
ensconced herself
"I really don't know what to do about
it, Miss Jerusha. II | ence thought
Rich was guilty Of such ind discretlons as
you declare he is, do believe should
|-dieI,
Jessie Wintringham winked away a
suspicious brightness from her pretty
curling brown lasnes, and looked eagerly
at her guests sarcastic counlenance. "
II dare say there are great many
people who would say l was very ofti-
cious, my dear, because / tell you what
think or thatgood-looking husband of
yours. But feel have your interest
at heart; and if no oneelse has the cour-
| age and charity to point out to young
vile of half a year the goings on OF her
lhusband-why, my dear Mrs. Wlntring-
! ham, Ill stand Ly You and take your
part."
Her solemn words made little shivers
of vague terror thrill all over Jessie.
! Il dare say you are very kind indeed,
| MISS Ouiy ooh y bOitSNS hhso
Rich is such a flrt as you say-always
paying such exclusive attention to la
dies when ne is away from home."
"You must think just what you please,
my dear. Only suppose if you were to
see for yourself, you would believe the
evidence OF your own eyesp
Jessie's Slightly flushed cheeks be-
trayed the painful interest she felt.
| .sOf course, il were to see-p
i h,n fri n n
'sThen all you have TO do is to take my
advice, and the next time Mr.. Wintring-
ham has such very important business
I'd New York, do you go by the same
train, with your waterproof and thick
veil to disguise you. must go now, L
think, my dear. Pll have to stop at poor
| Mrs. Delacorn's, and hear II she has
heard from that runaway daughter OF
lhers. Thanks for the early cup OF tea
iyou made SO nicely-and don't forget
what told you, Mrs. Wintringham."
And the abominable old gossip went
her way, leaving the arrows Of the dis
trust she had sown ranking painfully
in poor, loving, jealous Jessie's heart.
i She perfectly adored her handsome
young husband; and as always such pas
sionaJe affection is accompanied by Jeal'
ously, this otherwise sensible little Wo
man found it no difficult matter to ell.
| btIbdln Uu6 uOuub ASA On PiSooSNs
Rich. was SO handsome, SO stylish, SO
gallant-why should not ladies enjoy his
attentions? And, sitting by the cosy
lire, waiting until her husband should
come i'll for his dinner, Jessie almost de.
lcided to play the spy upon him at the
earliest moment.
Then, when she heard his latch-key in
the door, and his quick, firm tread in the
lall, and saw his handsome, cheerful
ace, as he took her cheeks in his hands
to kiss her, she felt ashamed and con
/, fused.
81 am afraid shall have to hurry you.
DEAR" he said, linking her arm through
his, and leading the way TO the dining
room, where the bright light made ge'
Inial glow on silver, crystal, and snow
white china.
"Hurry me Rich-how?"
al have to take the 1880 train, very un.
expectedly, ior the city, on important
business that can not be delayed. l
shall be at home tomorrow night, ex'
pect. Jessie, will you have another
, piece OF the black meatP'
Mrs. Wintringham toyed with he
chicken, her appetite entirely destroyed
by the news Rich announced.
son important business" Yes, tina
was what Miss Jenkinson had said
And the night train, too! 1t hasheC
, holly across JeSSle'S miHu lndL nef nus
band was going down TO the tneater
and, il what Miss Jerusha had sald was
t true, not alone.
That second decided her; aud, as Mr.
i. Wintringham arose from the dining
table, he little knew the thoughts tina
were thronging in his pretty little Wife,
5 head.
"Don't be lonesome, darling, will you
: Or shall stop and tell Flortie 70 com
= up tonight?
e Jessie laughed-a little forcedly.
n "You oyer-anxious fellow! What do
want OF sister Florrief l snail not h
lonely at ALL"
"Brave little woman! kiss me gooG
night, then, dear"
n He was SO kind and thoughtful; an
!. Jessie's fond, foolish heart Almost mis-
:, gave her as she watched him off.
''It is downright wicked to distru'
e him; but, then, it is just these elegan
q fascinating men who are SO agreeable
other women besides their Wiyes-a
least Miss Jerusha says so, and she
y old enough to know"
J. She watched the ivory hands OF I'll
q cuckoo clock fastening toward 1880.
n swell, shall do it-this once, an
IL how."
VI And she went up to her room, wit
sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks.
: SIS this seat engaged, sir?'
ltI 1t was low, sweet voice that O
y dressed Mr.. Richmond Wintringham,
the seven-thirty train steamed on, aft
r calling at the last station before reac
% ing the Jersey City terminus.