Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-10-28
Mrs. JOnes's ElOpement.

been dull, and the clerks had been
provoking. When he felt out of sorts.
as he did that day, a nice supper and
his wite's company were the best anti
dotes he knew of, and he hoped to have
them effect a cure in this instance, as
they often had in other instances.
But Mrs. Jones was out, the girl said.
She had been busy in her room all the
afternoon she did not know what she
was doing. About an hour ago she had
put on her bonnet and gone out, and
had charged her to tell her husband
when he came home, that she would
not be back until late in the evening.
"Gone out on particular business, she
said.", added Bridget.
"Oh, particular business!" growled
Mr.. Jones. "I'd like to know what
particular business she has? should
say it was wife's business to stay at
home. She knew, of course, that was
coming home completely tired out, but
that doesn't interfere with her pleasure
in the least. She can enjoy herself just
the same-probably all the more be-
cause am out of the way. I wish
knew where she'd gone"
He went up to her room to see if she
had worn some of her best clothes.
''she is gone off to have good time
with some one she cares more for than
she does for me-"
Mr.. Jones's brow was black as thun.
dercloud at the thought. He was in
precisely that state of mind to make
mountains out of molehills.
But she hadn't worn any of her new
clothes.
at can't be she's going to a party
concluded Mr.. Jones, "Or she'd have
rugged up more. It must be she's going
somewhere else, and wants to keep dark
1t begins to look mysterious. A woman
don't generally go off in this way with
out saying something to her husband
and wear her old clothes, without its
meaning something. I've Observed u
said Mr.. Jones, solemnly, to the Mr.
Jones in the glass. I'D like to know
what it all means, anyhow"
1t was just at this juncture that Mr.
Jones discovered letter on Mrs. JOnes's
writing desk. 1t was freshly-writter
page, beginning. Dear Edward"
Mr.. Jones's hair raised on end wher
his eagle eye caught the sight of tina
name. What awful thing had he dis
in the habit of writing letters to gentle
rIS
one now.
He read the letter through, without
stopping to take breath, from beginning
to end. It ran as follows
dear Edward! I have read your
very touching appeal over and over,
until every word of it is stamped upon
my heart. 1t has caused me to fight 8
terrible battle with myself. love you
and there is no use for me to deny it.
cannot deceive myself, nor you, by 81
doing. My duty is to stay with my
husband. I loathe him-despise him
as such suppose he has a claim upoI
me. in the eyes of the world, that YOU
have not. But, my darling, love you
and have come to the conclusion tt
cast my lot with yours. I will do q
you wish me to. I will meet you at tn
oak tree tonight at 10 o'clock. I hop'
I shall"
And, here, at the bottom of the page
the letter broke off very abruptly. Tit
other side of the page was blank.
"Great Jehosaphat - That was thu
awful word that broke from Mr.. jones'
lips when he had finished reading. I
was the nearest to swearing of any wore
he INDUCED in. If every he felt justifi
ed in using it he did now. His fact
was sight to behold. It was full o
anger and surprise, and complete be
wilderment.
"She loves, does she?" he calculated
family, land I'm tyrant, am I ? TIT
wretched creature She loathes me anC
despises me, does she? I'll show her {
thing or two. Let me see-10 o'clock
at the oak tree I'll be there, my dear
and I'll teach your dear Edward some
thing he won't forget. I'll go this
blessed minute and get couple of OFF,
GERS and we'll wait for you. l fancy
we'll surprise you little. Great Jeho-
saphat! and she's actually been deceiv'
ing me all the time, and letting some
other man talk love to her. and coax
her to elope with him. I can't believe
it, and yet | can't doubt it, for here il
is in her own writing. I wouldn't
have believed it if hadn't seen it in
black and white, dear me! / wonder j
l can bear up under the awful blow
What will folks say? shall be asham
ed to meet anybody. It's awful-aw-
full" and Mr.. Jones wiped his face with
his handkerchief and looked the com
plete picture of grief.
Mr.. Jones was so struck all of q
heap" to use his own expression, by
the terrible intelligence that he did no.
stop to reason over the matter. Ht
never once thought that ''dear Edward
couldn't by any possibility have re-
ceived this letter, since it hadn't beer
sent. He only realized that his wifi
was going to run away, and that sh'
was going to meet her lover at ter
o'clock.
"I'll be there, my lady," said Mr.
Jones, significantly, putting on his ever
coat, preparatory to setting out in search
of the proper officers. "I'll be there
and, I'll give dear Edward something
he didn't bargain for. I'll dear Ed
ward him 4"
'About 8 o'clock Mr.. Jones and s
couple of officers came up the road
stealthiiy and seated themselves behint
clump of bushes near the place wheit
the two main roads crossed each other
Nov you mind what 1 say" sale
Mr.. Jones, "I'll go for him, and yor
keep out of the way till am done with
him. I'll make him wish he never
thought of such thing as making low
to other mems wives, see if 1 don't
I'll trounce him within an inch of hi'
life the cOntemntibIe puDDV !" and Mr.