The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-03-27
Jessie's Test.


and then followed her pretty little hos,
tess from the din;ng-room back to the
parlor where the soft astral lamp glowed
like a silver moon, and the illuminated
stove made red shadows on the brown
red easy chair in which Miss Jenkinson
ensconced herself
II really don't know what to do about
it, Miss Jerusha If ] once thought
Rich was guilty Of such indisccetions as
you declare he is, l do believe l should
die !"
Jessie Wintrinham winked away a
suspicious brightness from her pretty,
curling brown lashes, and looked eagerly
at her guests sarcastic contenance.
81 dare say there are great many
people who would say as l was very Of
fcious, my dear, because tell you what
I think of that good-looking husband Of
yours. But l feel have your interest
at heart, and il no one else has the cour-
age and charity TO point out to a wife of
half a year the goings on of her husband
why, dear Mrs. Wintrinham, I'll stand
by YOU and take your part"
Her solemn words made little shivers
of vague terror thrill all over Jessie.
~ dare say answered poor Jessie,
you are kind indeed, Miss Jerusha, only
| can't believe that Rich is such as firt
us you say-always paying such exclu-
sive attention to ladies when he is away
from home
'You must think Just what you please,
my dear, Only 1 suppose if you were
to see for yourself, you would believe
the evidence of your own eyes?"
Jessie's slightly flushed checks be-
trayed the painful interest she felt.
"Of course, if were to sec"
Miss Jerlsha arose triumphantly.
Then all you have to do is to take
my advice, and the next time DIR. Win
trinham has such very important bust
ness in New York, do you 60 by the
same train, with your waterproof and q
thick veil TO disguise you, l must go
now, think, my dear. I'll have to- stop
ut poor Mrs. Delacon's and hear if she
has heard from that runaway daughter
Of hers Thanks for the early cup of
tea you made SO niccly-and don't for
get what l told you, Mrs Wintrinham."
And the abominablc old gossip went her
way, leaving the arrows of iistrust she
had thrown ranking very painfully in
poor, loving, jealous Jcssie's heart.
She perfectly adored her handsome
young husband and as always such pas
siouate affection is accompanied by jeal-
ousy, this otherwise sensible little
woman found it no difficult matter to
entertain the doubt her CREST expressed
Rich was so handsome, so stylish, so
gallant ny should not ladies enjoy his
attentions And. sitting by the coy
fire waiting until her husband should
come in for his dinner, Jessie almost de-
cided TO play the spy upon him at the
earliest moment.
Then, when she heard his latch key in
the door and his quick, firm tread in the
hall, and saw his handsome, cheerful
face as he took her checks in his hands
to kiss her, she felt ashamed and con-
fused.
Il am afraid shall have to hurry
you, dear he said, linking her arm
through his and leading the way to the
dining room, where the bright light made
genial glow on silver, crystal and snow
white china
''Hurry me, Rich-how =
Il have to take the 7:30 train very
unexpectedly for the city on important
business that cannot be DELAYED | shall
Re ct home tomorrow night, | expect
Jessie, won't you have another piece Of
the black meat |"
Mrs Wintrinham toyed with her
chicken, her appetite entirely DESTROYED
by the news her husband announced.
''Oi. important business" Yes, that
was what Miss JeIkinson had said
And the night train, too 1t flashed
hotly across Jcss.e's mind that her hus-
band was going down to the theatre and
IL what Miss Jerusha had said was true
not alone.
That second decided her, and az Mr..
Wintrinham arose from the dinner
table, he little knew the thoughts that
were thronging in his pretty little wife's
bead.
Don. be lonesome, darling, will you
all Ho-~.a - o..o