Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-06-26

But month after month went by, and
George was more in love than ever. There
had also come to the happy home, over
the way from Marks, fine little boy,
that had been. called after him, and a
blue-eyed girl, whom not even Mark
could vet find, in his heart to regard as
false and dangerous. He was even ven
turing to make Mrs George Do1wnes that
exception said to be contingent on every
rule, when suddenly all his suspicious
were forced into active life and promi-
hence. - =. .....1
One day-a very wet one-a close car
riage drove up: to Georges house, and
Mrs. George, heavily cloaked and yelled,
was driven away in it. -
every we'll, ma am" said Mark, suspi-
ciously, to himself, 1--WE shall see whether
you confess to having been out to-day"
j.. So he went over to Georges, played
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 it. This was
on Monday. On Thursday at the same
hour, the carriage came again, and
Georges wife went away in it. The next
week she went out on. three different days,
and twice, the werther being fine, he
noticed that she wore her very best satin
dress, the rich blue brocade 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 excursions
On the next Monday he had a: carriage
waiting, and when the lady went out
again he directed his driver to keep her
we'll in sight. In this way he followed
her beyond the aristocratic precincts of
the city, to little house set: back in
garden quite In the suburbs. A very
handsome foreign-looking man met her
at. the door, and led her with many smiles
into the honse.:
Mark sent his carriage home and in
spite Of the cold patiently waited After
an interval of two hours Mrs Downes'
carriage returned, the same gentleman
put her carefully into it, and she must
have driven at once home, for when
| Mark passed the house she was sitting in
her plain merino dress at the window,
nursing his namesake. She ran to the
door and begged him to-. come IN, but
Mark was full OF his discovery, and an
swered, gruffly, "Ask George to come to
me after dinner; have something to
tell him. -
George heard what his godfather had
to say, with face half angry, half credu-
lous. "It must have been my wife's sis
ter he said.
Mark laughed scornfully at such de-
Tense, and, moreover, stoutly asserted
that it was Mrs. Downes, and not Mrs.
Downes' sister. "Come on Thursday,
and see for yourself, Gearge."
eff do, godfather, it will not be be-
cause I suspect my wife, but because I
AMI sure to prove you wrong"
Still George thought it singular that
he could not by the most adroit question:
these mysterious visits. At length he
said, "Emma, will ask for Thursday at
ternoon, and we will go out to Aldbor-
ough Woods, and get the holly and mis-
tletoe for Christmas. What do you say?"
81 can't 60 Thursday, George, dear;
have so much to do" -: =
"What have, you to do?" -
"More than can tell you. Is it not
near christmas, and does not that imply
all sorts of housekeeping duties? But I
will 60 with you Friday, DEAR
| George was little cross at the refusal,
and answered gloomily, emo; he had lost
the wish to go now" Then both were
silent, and the evening was not a 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 the window
At the usual hour the carriage arrived,
and Mrs. Downes, with her hair as elab-
orately dressed as if she was going to a
state dinner at the bishops palace, ran
down the steps, and was soon driven rap
idly away" !: :: - - 49,, T.. :.
s'Well, godfather he said pleasantly,
I chat is Emma, certainly, and she is very
remarkably dressed; but, for all that,
am sure she has some. good reason for
what she IS doing: I believe Twill wait
until she tells me-" z** - :
"Don't be such fool, George; go and
question your servants."7 ..
After little reflection, George crossed
to his own house and rang the bell. The
house maid. seemed 5astonished at his APP
pearance, and when hecasked 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. y
"Where is your mistress, Ann2":1o
"Is-she not; in the par1or, Sir?'
"You know she is not. Where did she
go in the carriage?" j. :. L..
2s"mdeed, Sir, it is my business to mind
the ,,children; the mistress knows her
own affairs, without the likes of me med.
ding in them" az 51 - -.
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 lin half AN
hour the half-curious and half-angry
husband stopped at the pretty cottage:
ALL was quiet; about it, there was no ap-
pearance of company, itlooked almost
deserted IN its w1ntry garden,
+ An exceedingly lovely woman though
evidently in frail and falling health,
opened the door for him, saying, in an
inquiring voice, "You want the signor,
Sar?a la6 oef ! -1" ) - . ;
| eNo, I wish to see Mrs.oDownes; she is
here, beleye?" sas s 49,.
""Ah,, yes; she is here. If youn will
please coup one stair.. I am SO weak
and tiredsalways."'' a - 81.
She pointed to the stairs and George
went thoughtfullySup them. Half way
there was 9 little landing and door, and
here he heard a strange musical voice
land his wife's merry laugh to' its observa-
Etion. benefited George; he knocked
sharply, and before an answer could he
Igiven, opened the door and went into
the: room.s s s.5 g .@ 2sss @sase s. Is
ooh, George, how proyok ing. What
made you come, dear2'' e seas ss'4. =, !.
His wife was sitting mall her bridal
fnery ona little elevated platform, and
Signor Sarti was putting the last touches
to very lovely potrait to her.
! u meaptsit for your Christmas gift,
! George, and youh have peeped beforehand.
is not that to bad7'' t7 fr4~asxs l. ~
Indeed it i, Emma" But Emma
+2" - 80 - : LII "a - -.. -. q.