The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-04-21
MRS. JONEh'S ELOPEMENT.

MT. Jones came nome tndt alCeT0OO0
feeling cross and tired. Business had
been dull, and the clerks had been pro-
voking. When he felt out of sorts, as he
did that day, nice suppe r and his wiie's
mpany were the best antidotes he knew
OF, and he hoped to have them effect a
cure in this instance, as they had often
in other instances.
But Mrs. Jones was out, the girl said,
she had been busy in her room all the
aft@noon; 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, that she should not be home
until late in the evening. "Gone out on
particular business, she said," added
Bridget.
"On particular business, eh ?" growled
Jones. "Pd like to know what particu-
lar business she has. Ishould say it was
a wife's place 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 Pm out
of the way. wish knew where she'd
gone"
He went up to her room to see if she
had worn her best clothes.
Because, if she has," reasoned Mr..
Jones, "she's gone off to have good
time with some one she cares for more
than she does for me.
Mr.. Jones's brow was black as 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.
at can't be she's going to party"
concluded Mr.. Jones, cor she'd have
rugged up more. 1t must be that she's
gone somewhere else, and wants to keep
dark. 1t begins to look mysterious. A
woman don't generally go off in this way
without saying something to her hus-
band, and wear her old clothes without
its meaning something, I've observed"
said Mr.. Jones, solemnly to- Mr.. Jones
in the glass. "Pd like to know what it
all does mean anyhow"
1t was just at this juncture that Mr..
Jones discovered a letter on Mrs. Jones's
writing-desk. 1t was freshly written
page, beginning:
"Dear Edward"
Mr. Jones's hair raised upon end when
his eagle eye caught sight of that name.
What awful thing had he discovered
Could it be that his wife was in the
habit of writing letters to gentlemen
Perhaps she had 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: have read your touch
ing appeal over and over, until every wore
Of it is stamped upon my heart. 1t hal
caused me to fight terrible battle with
myself. l love you, and there is no use fol
me to deny it. l cannot deceive myself
nor you, by SO doing. But my duty is to stay
with my husband. loathe him-I despiss
him; he is atyrant-but he is my husband
and as such suppose he has claim upon me
in the eyes of the world, that you have not
But, my darling, love you, and have come
to the conclusion to cast my lot with yours
I will do as you wish me to. I will mee1
you at the oak tree tonight at ten o'clock
hope shall"
And here, at the bottom of the page
the letter broke Of 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. /
was the nearest to swearing of any wore
he INDUCED in. If ever he felt justi6ee
in using it, he did now. His face was
sight to behold. 1t was full of anger
surprise and bewilderment.
"She loves him, does she 2" he ejacu
lated family. And Pm tyraLt, an
II The wretched creature! she loathe