Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-05-30

plclouSly, 10 himself, I'VE Shau see
whether you confess TO having been out
to-day
SO he went over to Georges, played a
rubber or two with his favorite, and
tried every way to induce confession
as to the drive in the rain; but the young
wife would make no alluSion TO ii. This
was on Monday. On Thursday, at the
same hour, the carriage came again,
and Georges wife went away in il.
The next week she went out on three
different days, and twice, the weather
being fine, he noticed that she wore her
very hest satin dress, the rich blue bro
cade that had been one of her wedding
suits.
The affair was beginning to look Very
black TO Mark, for he had satisfied him.
self that George had been told nothing
whatever of these clandeStine eXcur-
sions. On the next Monday he had y
carriage waiting, and when the lady
went out again he directed his driver to
keep her well i'll sight. In this way he
followed her beyond the ariStocratic
precincts of the city to Il little house set
back in the garden, quite III the suburbs,
A very handsome foreigu-looking man
met her at the door, aud led her with
many smiles into the house.
Mark sent his carriage home, and, in
spite Of the cold patiently waited. At
ter an interval of two hours Mrs.
Downes's carriage returned, the same
gentleman put her carefully into it, and
she must have driven ut once home, for
when Mark passed the house she was
sitting III her plain merino dress at the
window, nursing his nameSake. She
ran to the door and begged him 70 come
in, but Mark was full OF his discovery,
and answered, grutily, ASK George 10
come TO me after dinner: | have some
thing TO tell him.
George heard what his godfather had
to say, with face half angry and half
incredulous. at must have been my
wifes sister" he said.
Mark laughed scornfully at such de-
Tense, and, moreover, stoutly asserted
that it was Mrs. Downcs, and not Nlrs
Downes's} sister. "Come on Thursday
and see for yourself, George"
IF | do, godfather, it will not be be
cause suspect my wife, but because |
am sure to prove you wrong.
Still George thought it singular that
he could not by the most adroit ques-
tioning, get from his wife any allusion
to these mysterious visits. At length
he said, Emma, will ask for Thurs
day afternoon, and we will 90 out to
Aldborough Woods, and get the holly
and mistletoe for Christmas. What do
you say?"
81 can't go Thursday, George, dear;
have so much TO do"
"What have you to dor
"More than can tell you. Is it not
near Christmas, and does not that inn
ply all sorts of housekeeping duties?
But | will go with you Friday, dear
George was little cross at the refu-
sal, and answered gIoomily, "No; he
had lost the wish to so, now" Then
both were silent, and the evening was
not pleasant one. All the next day
he told himself that he would not go
and watch his wife Thursday; yet when
the day came he was sitting with his
godfather at tho window. At the usual
hour the carriage arrived, and Mrs.
Downes, with her hair as deliberately
dressed as if she was going to q state
dinner at the bishops palace, ran down
the steps, and was soon driven rapidly
away.
"Well, godfather he said pleasantly,
that is Emma, certainly, and she is
very remarkably dressed; but, for all
that. am sure she has some good rea-
son for what she is doing. believe |
will wait until she tells me-"
Don't be such fool, George; go and
question your servants"
After u little reflection, George
crossed to his own house and rang the
bell. The house-maid emed aston
ished at his appearance, and when he
asked where her mistress was, said
she had not seen her since she had
taken her orders for dinner Then
George went up to the nursery.
"Where is your mistress, Amp
:" Is she not in the parlor, Sr?'
+" You know she is not. Where did
she go in the carriage"
" Indeed, Sir, it is my business to
mind the children; the mistress knows
her affairs, without the likes of me
meddling in them"
He turned round impatiently, went
back to Mark Ripon, and got an accu-
rate description Of the house to which
he had traced Mrs. George; and in half
an hour the half-curious and half
angry husband stopped at tile pretty
cottage. All was quiet about it, there
was no appearance Of company, it
looked almost deserted in its wintry
garden.
An exceedingly lovely woman,
though evidently in frail failing health,
opened the door for him, saying, in an
inquiring voice, You want the signor,
Sar?"
No. | wish 70 see Mrs. Doves; she is
here, believer
"Ah, yes; she is here. # you will
please to 90 up one stair. am 50 weak
and tired always"
She pointed to the stairs, and George
went thoughtfully up them. Half way
there was little landing and door,
and here he heard strange musical
voice, and then his wife's merry laugh
to its observation. 1t nettled George;
he Knocked sharply, and before an an