Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-07-26

My foolish. jealous heart rose in my
throat, and stood hurt and silent.
John kissed me, and kissed baby in
her crib. Then he took off his coat and
threw it on 4 chair.
If you don't feel too tired, little
wife, you might fasten in that sleeve
lining. I'll wear my thick coat to-
night"
He was gone, and after clearing
away our small table / sat down to
think, and soon made myself misera-
bic enough. At last thought of John S
coat, and picked it up to mend it.. 1t
was his best coat, which he had only
taken for common wear a few DAYS be-
fore. Brushing off the dust, l heard
the rustic of paper III the breast
pocket.
Is there wife loyal enough, unfem-
mime enough, to refrain from prying
into the secrets of her husbands pock-
cts when she has Il chance?
| drew the rustling paper forth. 1t
was a note--a dainty, three-cornered
affair, with rosebud on the broken
seal. looked at the direction, John
Danton,' my own husbands name,
written in fine feminine characters.
a sharp pang pierced my heart, a
mist dimmed my eyes. What woman
was this who dared to write to my hus7
band? | must know. ] had Il right
to know. tore open the tiny sheet
My DEAREST JOHN Do not fail to come
tonight. am alone, and l shall look for
you-
could not read another word. A
blindness like that of death filmed my
eyes, Il faint, horrible sickness crept
over me. Miss Dorcas had told me the
truth. John was untrue to me. And
| had loved him SO!
| crushed the fatal note into my
pocket, and caught up my cloak and
hat. " no
Come, baby" / sobbed, driven out
of my senses for the minute by my
terrible pain, 1--WE will 90. When he
comes he shall find us gone
| gathered up the little one. and
wrapped her in a heavy shawl; then
we left our cheerful fireside. and set
forth through the pelting rain.
Why. what in the name of wonder
has brought you out tonight p cried
my father when we entered the sit
ting-room. :" And you We brought the
child too, What $ out 2"
/ shrank down beside my mother,
and began to sob out my misery, my
head upon her breast.
I John untrue?' repeated father.
Is that what you're driving at? Oh,
hosh, Jennie; you're jealous, that S
all | don't believe word of it. A
truer. better man than John don't
breathe"
| drew forth the crumpled note, and
held it toward him.
"lle'S gone every night" | sobbed !;
and-and | found that in his pock-
ct"
Father pulled his spectacles over his
nose, and opened the note. A minute,
perhaps, he peered at it curiously, and
then he eXplsded with laughter.
"Oh, Jennie. Jennie, what a selln
he cried. "What a precious little fool
you are. Tak> this note, and look at
it again. Did you never see it be-
fore p
| took the note and looked at it,
wondering what he could mean. The
name at the bottom of the tinted sheet
caught my eye for the first time.
grew hot with shame from head to
foot. The letter was my own, written
to John by my own hand in the days
of our courtship. | fell upon mothers
bosom and burst into tears.
Come, Jennie, gather up the child,
and I'll go home with YOU" said my
father. Now. don't you feel cheap?"
did not | only felt supremely hap
Ply. Home we trudged through the
dark and rain. John met us at the
door.
Why, here you are, Jennie, he
cried "You've given me terrible
fright ! was just shutting up to
come in search of YOU"
"She's not worth the trouble,
john" put in my father and then and
there he blurted out the whole story
Forgive me, john | whispered.
He bent down and kissed me.
Nothing to forgive, Jennie. The
fact is, I'm rather pleased to see YOU
care so much about me. Sorry to have
made you suffer, though. ! was wrong !;
| should have explained before, but
you see, Jennie, | wanted to surprise
You. But We'll have it all out tonight
Eve been doing little extra work.
you see. ! wanted the money to buy
the anniversary gifts, and here they
are. To-morrow's the day, but to-
might will do as we'll
He put them in my lap, the glossy
brown silk, that | had coveted, the
embroidered muslin for baby'S robe
| looked mp with trimming eyes.
ooh. John, how good YOU are. But
let my happiness be perfect. Miss
Dorcas says she saw you walking with