Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-05-20
JESSIES TEST

Miss Jerusha Jcnkiu>on folded her nap
kin with q slow, precise carelcSsneNS, and
then followed her pretty little hostess
from the dining room back TO the parlor,
where the soft astral lamp glowcd ike a
silver moon, and the Illuminated stove
made rcd shadows on the brown-red easy
chair in which Miss JenkinSon ensconced
herself
Il really don't know what to DO about
il. Miss Jerusha II once thought Rich
was guilty of such indiscrctions as You
declare he Is, DO believe l should-dic -
Jessie Wntriuham winkcd away a sus-
piciou, brightness from her pretty, curl
ins brown laShes, and looked eagerly at
hcr guests sarcastic countenance
Il dare say there are great many
people who would say was very oticious,
MY dear. because tell you what think
of that good looking husband Of yours.
But | feel have Your interest at heart,
and if no one else has the courage and
charity to poin, out TO a wife Of half a
wear the goings on of her hu>baud-why,
NV dear Mr>. Wm,riaham, I'll stand by
YOU and take yoar par,
Her solemn words made lit,lo shiyerS
/ of vague terror thrill al over Jessie.
"I dare say. answered poor Jessie.
..vou ~. kind, indeed. Miss Jeru>ha, only
/ / can't solicyc tina; Rich is such "a hirt as
Won >ay-a.ways paving such exclusive
attention 90 ladies when be is away from
home.
You mus. think just what YOU please,
INV dear, Only suppose ii YOU were to
>cc for yourself, You would believe the
/ evidence OF YOUR own eyes:
Jc>,.cs slightly flushed checks betrayed
the painful iu,crys, she felt.
..Of course. il were 10 see
Miss Jcru,ha arose triumphantly.
Then all You have 70 do is 70 take my
advice. and the next time Mr.. Winiriu-
I ham has such important busincs, in New
York. DO you 20 by the same train, with
YOUR waterproof and a thick veil TO dis
guise YOU. / must 20 now, think, my
dear III have TO stop ut poor Mrs De
lacon's and hear If she has heard from
that runaway daughter OF hers. Thanks
for the early cup of tea YOU made Sc
nicely-and don forget what told you,
Mrs. Wintrinham.
And the abominable old gossip went
her way, leaving the arrows Of distrust
she had thrown ranking very painfully
| in poor, loving, jealous Jessie's heart
She perfectly adored her handsome
Young husband; and as always such pas
sionate affection Is accompanied by jeal.
ousy, this otherwise sensible little woman
found it no difficult matter to entertain
the doubt her guest expressed.
Rich was so handsome, 50 stylish, SC
gallant-why should not ladies enjoy hi.
attentions: And, sitting by the cosy FIRE
waiting until her husband should come IL
for his dinner, Jessie almost decided t
play the spy upon him at the earliest mo.
ment.
Then, when she heard his latch KEY il
the door and his quick, firm tread in tn,
hall, and saw his handsome, cheerful fac,
as ne took her checks in his hands to kis.
her. she felt ashamed and confused.
i am afraid shall have to hurry you
dear, he said, linking her arm through
his and leading the way to the dinin.
room, where the bright light made
genial glow on silver, crystal and snow
white china.
Hurry me, Rieh-how:"
Il have 10 take the 1850 train very un
expectedly for the city on important busi
ness that cannot be delayed. shall b.
home tomorrow night, l expect Jessie
won't YOU have another piece of the blacl
meat::"
Mrs. Wmrinham ,oyed with her chick
en-, her appetite entirely destroyed by tn
news her husband announced.
"On important business. Yes, tina
was what Miss Jenkinson had said. An,