Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-11-26
His Second Wife.

What! her dowry ten thousand, ant
her age under eighteen! You are lucky
dog, Hewett! OF course. it's a love
natchi"
Il fiatter myself, yes, on the lady.
part, at least" and the speaker. a tall,
rather handsome man drew himself up sup
erciliOusly; though, in fact, it is family
arrangement
''How is thati''
"Why, you see, Colonel Harding wa:
my fathers General Hewett's, greatest
chumS When dying, he left NE and my
future to the formers guardianship; a trust
he saw no better nor more friendly way OF
carrying out than by an engagement bet
Y myself and his daughter Kate - the
( inheritOr OF a rich aunt's wealth.
''Some people fail into pleasant places,
certainly, When is ii to be!''
In a month. fancy, since the Colo
nel has been such dotard as to take home
a second wife, he would rather his daught-
er room than her company
Possibly. Deuced pretty woman, Mrs.
Harding Very sparkling, self .willed,
and fast, I'm sure, Ia, ia Remember,
am booked for the Benedict ceremony"
The two gentlemen between whom the
above conversation passed on the steps Of
a West End club, now parted the one ad-
dressed as Hewett, known among lis less
Jamiliars as Captain Hewett, proceeding to
go by train to Colonel Hardlng's villa, at
Richmond.
Arriving there, in due course. he was
speedily introduced tC Kate and Mrs. Hard
ing; after exchanging greetlngswith whom,
he was summoned to see the Colonel in the
library. The ladies were surprised at the
haste displayed, and could not refrain from
remarking on the subject.
Whatever is that for:7 Kate remarked,
when the officer had gone.
''To sign your marriage settlement, >
smiled Mrs. Harding.
Nonsense. By the way, mamma, do
Won not think papa has looked altered
lately.'
'.For many days, Kate. l fear some
thing is wrong"
Then fancy he mighttconfide it to you
instead of the captain.
True Mrs. Harding's lips preceptibly
contracted; then she added, ''Kate, ! for
got to tell my maid about the trimmings
for NV dress next Friday. Would yon
mind doing so:"
Rising, the young girl went On her mis-
sion, when the others entire manner
changed. Her expression BECAME grave,
pelplexed. She cast aside her work, und
leaned her head on her hand.
Can my husband possibly suspect" ?"
she murmured. ''There is a change in
him! Kate sees it, too! Then there must be
4 cause, Can he have found Us out? If so,
everything is ruined - ruined!" She
paused then added, 81 must be certain
Will"
Hurriedly throwing shawl Of kate's,
that laid on a sofa near, about her, she
passed through the open glass door into the
flower garden.
Going to the side of the villa, cautiously
she crept through shubbery of liiacs and
syringas until she came within sight and
hearing of the two in the library, the win
dow of which was open.
Captain Hewett was leaning back in a
chair, the Colonel, handsome, elderly,
militury looking man, sat by the table,
his brows contracted, his features express
sive of pain and anger blended He had
evidently been speaking vehemently, and
exclaimed, as the listener came with range,
81 wouldn't have believed it of her. OF
all women, l would have stacked my life
on the fidelity of Constance. When you
limited that YOU had seen fellow lounging
about the villa, l thought nothing of it; but
Jackson. the under-gardener, declares that
it is true
The listener became lived with rage. Her
suspicious were well founded.
seWhat do you intend doing:" asked
Hewett.
.sThat is my perplexIty. To accuse her
on the word of an under-gardener seems
preposterous,' and the Colonel uneasily
drummed the table with his fingers.
something must be done" he said, ''or
| shall 20 mad. can't support this terri
bic suspicion, for-l don't mind confessing
If TO YOU. George. who so soon will be my
soon-I love Constance devotely, What
was that? Why, the window is OPEN
Shut it; we want no eavesdroppers.
Captain Hewett complied, but, before
closing it, leant forth and looked around
sIf my fine lady would only commit
herself" he thought, ''Kate would inherit
the Colonel's wealth. 1t is nothing, he
said aloud, resuming his seat.
Trembling at her rarrow escape, Mrs.
Harding hastened from the shubbery. Just
as she emerged, she ran violestly against a
man.
'.Robert, Tell me, what are you doing
here?'
Ten thousand pardonsl l fought"
scNever mind what you thought. Why
are you herel Quick, go to the door. Ii
in five minutes call you, come,-f not,
go away"