The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-05

|
Then with all the color stricken from her
face, she took up her embroidery.
Had Harvey watched her then, he would
have thought that that poisoned arrow had
missed its aim.
| But 1t was not 80. The work was thrown
aside, the piano rang out under her restless
| fingers, novel was opened, room was put
| in order; but while the calm face betrayed 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 fal se heart? Was she, indeed, so far de-
! ceived?
Long before eight O'Clock Maude Chesterton
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 a monstrous
charge against her bctrothed lover.
And while she was striving to hide from
any eyes the torture she endured, James
Rutherford was stOrming up and down his
library, holding the second of Harvey Froth-
ingham's communications in his hand.
In the same awkward handwriting, the
same hour and place to verify the writer's
words.
But the peppery old bachelor made no Sc
cret of his wrath. To have listened to him,
one would have supposed that making mince-
meat of his disobedient nephew was the least
ue lnIeuueu. ne callcu nlIn I'LL tAe pei names
| suggested By furious rage; he used up all
the abusive adjectives in the dictionary to de-
scribe Mr.. Frederick Holman.
He exhausted every threat that he could
devise; long before eight o'clock he had
wrought himself up to rage that was fright
full to witness.
It was with chuckle of satisfaction that
Harvey rockingham, secretly hidden in q
narrow courtway, watched tall, stately fig
ure leave carriage at the head of Ralph
street, and walk to The door of No. 2S.
In the quiet of the street he heard a clear
voice ask the servant who opened the door:
"DOes Mrs. Holman live here?"
eyes, ma'am; second floor"
us her husband at homes
"Oh, yes, ma'am; you'll find them both
there" s.
Then Maude Cnesterton entered the house,
just as a short, painting man dashed up the
steps, and not waiting to make inquiry, also
entered.
In the passage, Maude Chesterton, turning
as rapid steps followed her, faced James
Rutherford.
"You here!" he said. "You have heard too,
then, of the trick this ungrateful hound has
played upon us?"
"l have heard" she answered, in cold
voice, that your nephew's wife lives in this
| house. I wish to ascertain if it is true"
'We will soon see! we will soon see! Sec
ond floor. Here we are. Now, then!" H.
! And the old gentleman's raps proved the
! excitement under which he was laboring. =.
A very pale, sweet woman opened the door,
her eyes showing that she had been weeping
| very recently.
''Does Mrs. Holman live here?' the old
gentleman asked.
That is my name, sir"
Can l see your husband?'
The soft eyes, full of deep trouble, were lift
"Is it on business, sir?'
livery important business" was the rather
| dry response.
Because the doctor said to-day he must
| not have any mental excitement. He is
| very much worse to-day; II am afraid he is
dying"
And sobs broke out again.
"Dying!"
Maude Chesterton reeled into the room,
and sank oizzly upon chair.
James Rutherford, with a face white as
death, said: "Dying! An accident:" -.
No, sir; it is fever from overwork."
"Fever-Over. workw
"Josie-Jose"
If ever Fred Holman spoke, he spoke then
from an inner room, and the little wife, SEEM
ing to forget her strange visitors, answered,
quickly: -
"pm coming, Fred"
She went at once to the room from which
the voice came, and again the two, listening
| intently, heard Fred's husky voice.
Bring the last cordial, Josie. Ten drops !!
1 am sure ne knew me; but he is faint"
spoke again: Drink this, old fellow So!
| See here is Josie! Don't you know JOSEF"
Then another voice-oh! so very falnt!-
said:
'Josie-lttle wife!'
| then Josie said:
There is gentleman and lady in the other
| room, Fred, who want to see Frank. Will
you see them?''
And Fred, appearing in compliance with
| this request, found his uncle vigorously fan.
ming Maude Chesterton with newspaper to
| bring her out of fainting fit.
Before he could frame question, his uncle
said, quickly:
| Get some waterw And he obeyed.
Then, Maude's blue eyes opening with a be.
wlldered stare, the old gentleman continued
/ I'VE were sent mere to see your domestic
| felicity, and we seem to be mislnformed,"
my domestic felicity" cried Fred.
"Read that" said his uncle, handing the
anonymous note. And Fred complied.
"Humph! yes" he said. $50 YOU came to
see Mrs: Frederick Holman. Well, that lady
has made me happy maui" and his eyes
flashed flashed merrily upon Maude .".But will in.
Holman: Maude," he continued, with gentle
gravity, since you have come here it will he
an act Of Christian charity for you to remain
1Or"-and MS voice sank very lOw-"we are
afraid the poor little woman will be a widow
before the morning"
Poor fellow!' said James Rutherford
"What is the trouble?' vii -
"Over-w work. He thought he could increase
his small salaries by toiling over fine engrav
ings in the evening, and he broke down.
never knew of his marriage until last week
when he wrote me a painful note, bege ins
me to care for his wife if he died. I cam,
here at once, and was fortunate enough to viii
poor little Josie's sisterly confidence and of
lection. Maude, if the great trouble we fea
, J comes" 81 IL ~ ..-,l. ,..tsa
twill be her true sister, Fred!" interrupt
ed Maude. 4 - ,1. tE5g-00i
l Here was a deep silence of several min
utes, then Josie, very plae still, crept softly in
HE is asleep!' she whispered. "The doc
tor said If he slept he would live!"
. Ana Wien she broke into hysterical weep
< ing, Maude held her close in loving arms
k whispering that she must let her stay an
i comfort her, for Fred's sake.