The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-26


into the glowing grate-tire, and building
castles of future happiness. From this
tender revery she was aroused by the
servant who handed her squarely folded
letter, awkwardly addressed, and fast
ened with a wafer.
Wondering who her unknown cores
pondent could be, she opened the paper.
The same struggling handwriting met
her eve. Only few lines were written.
"f you would have proof of the false
hood of one you believe true, go at eight
o'clock, this evening, to the second floor of
No. 2S Ralph Street, and you will find Mr..
Frederick Holman and his wife,"
Anonymousn the proud girl said,
her lips curling and her eyes flashing.
The liarw
She threw the note upon the Goals as
she spoke, and watched the flames curl
and blacken the paper, till it flashed
out of sight up the chimney. Then with
the color stricken from her face, she took
up her embroidery.
Had Harvey watched her then he
would have thought that the poisoned
arrow had missed its aim. But it was
not so. The work was thrown aside
the piano rang out under the restless
| fingers, a novel was opened, room was
put in order, but while the calm face be-
| trayed no secret suffering, the girl was
tortured all day by the words of the
| ANONYMOUS note: Frederick Holman
and his wife,
Could it be? Had the frank, brown
eyes that had looked so lovingly into
hers mirrored only a false heart? Was
| she, indeed, so far deceived?
Long before eight o'clock Maude Ches-
! terton had resolved to prove or falsify
the words that seemed burned upon her
brain. Surely of all the world she had
| the best right to test the truth of such
monstrous charge against her betrothed
| husband. And while she was striving
to hide from her eyes the torture she en-
| dured, James Rutherford was stOrming up
and down his library, holding the second of
| Harvey Frothingham' communications
in his hand. In the same awkward
handwriting the same facts were stated,
the same hour and place appointed to
verify the writer's words.
But the peppery old bachelor made no
secret of his wrath. To have listened
to him one would have supposed that
making mincemeat of the disobedient
nephew was the least he intended. He
called him all the pet names suggested
by furious rage; he used up all the
abusive adjectives in the dictionary to
describe Mr. Frederick Holman. He
exhausted every threat that fury could
devise, and long before eight O clock he
had wrought himself to rage that was
frightful to witness.
1t was with a chuckle of satisfaction
that Harvey rockingham, secretly hid
in courtway, watched tall, stately fig
ure leave a carriage at the head of Ralph
Street and walk to the door of %. In
= the quiet of the street he heard a cleal
| voice ask the servent who opened the
door,
"Does Mr.. Holman live here?'
{ {" Yes, ma am; second floor.
Is her husband at homeT'
) ooh, yes, ma'am; you'll find then
e both there"
Then Maude Chesterton entered the
t house just as short, painting man dashed
| up the steps, and not pausing to mak'
+ inquiry, also entered.
In the hallway Maude Chesterton
turning, as rapid footsteps followed her
;, faced James Rutherford.
i You herep he said. "You hav
heard, too, then of the trick this migrate
V full hound has played upon us?'
d Ihave heard" she answered, in
S cold voice, " that your nephews wifi
o lives in this house. 1 wish to ascertain
t, if it is true"
t "We will soon seel We will soon see
Il Second floor. Here we are. Now then.
t The old gentleman's raps proved tn
lie excitement under which he was laborine
L A very pale, sweet woman opened tn
Is door, her eyes showing that she had bee
is weeping very recently.
as "Does Mrs. Holman live here ?' th
er old gentleman asked.
That is my name, sir"
" "Can see your husband?'
ee The soft eyes, full of deep troubl
1e were lifted.
n Is it on business, sir?'
ID every important business" was til
O. rather dry response.
Because the doctor said to-day,
- must not have any mental excitemen
He is very much worse to-day. II a
MS afraid he is dying"
r. The sobs broke out again.
"Dyingp
- Maude Chesterton reeled into tt
r. room and sank dizzily upon a chai
of James Rutherford, with a face as whi
at as death, said, huskily,-
dying! An accident?'
re 'No sir; it is fever from overwork
no Clever! Overworkp
de Josie, Josie!"
Ifever Fred Holman spoke, he spo]
To- then from an inner room, and the litt
cd wife seeming to forget her strange Wis
ors, answered, quickly
H. I'm coming, Fred"
,sa She went at once to the room fro
ON which the voice came, and again Il
,ix two, listening intently, heard FREQ
voice:
nd ''Bring the last cordial, Josie. T,
m drops! l am sure he knew me, but he
Of faint"
he A moment later the same CHEEKY vol
spoke once more.
wv "Drink this old, fellow. So! 81
to here is Josie. Don't you know Josie
Then another voice-oh, so very fai
IN said
apd "Josie! Little wife,"
es- @ A moment of utter silence followe
,dr and then Josie said:
CIV "There is Il gentleman and lady in t
.bo otherroom Fred, who want to see Fran
iii will you see them, pleaseT'
nix Fred, appearing in compliance wi
,an m this request, found his uncle vigorous
tanning Maude Chesterton with ney
No. paper to bring her out of a fainting t
Before he could frame question, !
W uncle said:
ner Bring me some waterW
,ed He obeyed. Then, as Maude's bl
of eyes opened with bewildered stare, t
,et old gentleman continued
,te- "We were sent here to see your
ch- mestic felicity, and we seem to have be
me misinformed
"My domestic felicity" cried Fred
o Read thatp' said his uncle, handi
Soo him the anonymous note.
nts n Fred complied.
Its "Hm, yes" he said $50 you ca
,sIv to see Mrs. Frederick Holman. We
n that lady has made me happy mai
.tty and his eyes flashed merrily upon Mau
But willintroduce you to my cousi
had wife, Mrs. Frank Holman. Maude,"
continued, with gentle gravity, ssh
lph you have come here, it will be an act
Christian charity to remain, for" and