Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-02


But 1t was not so. The. work was thrown
aside, the piano rang out under her restless
fingers, a novel was opened, room was put
in order; but while the calm face betrayed no
secret suffering, the girl was tortured all day
b. the words Of the anonymous note:
Frederick Holman and his wife,"
Could it be? Had the frank, brown eyes
that had looked SO lovingly into hers mirrored
only false heart? Was she, indeed, 80 far de-
ceiyed?
Long before eight O'Clock Naude Chesterton
had resolved to prove or falsify the words that
seemed burned upon her brain.
Surely of all the world she had the best
right to test the truth of such monstrous
charge against her betrothed lover.
And while she was striving to hide from
any eyes the torture she endured, James
Rutherford was stOrming up and down his
library, holding the second of Harvey Froth-
ingham's communications in his hand.
In the same awkward handwriting, the
! same hour and place 10 verify the writer's
| words.
But the peppery old bachelor made no Sc.
cret of his wrath. To have listened to him
one would have supposed that making mince-
meat of his disObedient nephew was the least
he intended. He called him all the pet names
suggested by furious rage; he used up all
the abusive adjectives in the dictionary to de.
scribe Mr.. Frederick Holman.
He exhausted every threat that he could
devise; long before eight o'clock he had
wrought himself up to rage that was fright
full to witness.
It was with chucklc OF satisfaction that
| narrow courtway, watched tall, stately f @.
| ure leave a carriage at the head of Ralph
street, and walk to the door of No. rs.
In the quiet of the street he heard a clear
voice ask the servant who opened the door:
"Does Mrs. Holman live here?"
"Yes, ma'am; second floor"
us her husband at hOme?'
"Oh, yes, ma'am; you'll find them both
there"
Then Maude Chesterton entered the house,
just as a short, painting man dashed up the
steps, and not waiting to make inquiry, also
entered.
In the passage, Maude Chesterton, turning
as rapid steps followed her, faced James
Rutherford.
you here!" he said. "You have heard too,
then, of the trick this ungrateful hound has
played upon us? ~
II have heard" she answered, in cold
voice, "that your nephew's wife lives in this
house. wish to ascertain if it is true"
"We will soon see! we will soon see! Sec
ond floor. Here we are. Now, thenn'
And the old genteman's raps proved the
excitement under which he was laborihg
A very pale, sweet woman opened the door,
her eyes showing that she had been weepin 9
very recently.
"Does Mrs. Holman live here%' the old
gentleman asked.
That is my name, sir"
Can see your husband?'
The soft eyes, full of deep trouble, were lift
ed.
ITS it on business, sir -
Every important business" was the rather
dry response.
Because the doctor said to-day he mI1is.t
not have any mental excitement. He is
very MUCH worse to-day; III am afraid he is
dyingps
An" An" sobs broke out again.
"Dyingv'
Maude Chesterton reeled into the room,
and sank oizzily upon chair.
James Rutherford, with a face white as
death, said: dying! An accident!''
mo, sir; it is fever from overwork."
"Fever-over- workp'
'Josie-Josie!"
If ever Fred Holman spoke, he spoke then
ing to forget her strange visitors, answered,
quickly:
"I'm coming, Fred'
She went at once to the room from which
the voice came, and again the two, listening
intently, heard Fred's husky voice.
Bring the last cordial, Josie. Ten drops!
am sure he knew me; but he is faint"
A moment later the same CHEEKY voice
spoke again: Drink this, old fellow. So!
See here is Josiei Don't you know Josie ?"
Then another voice-oh! SO very faint!-
said:
'Josie-little wifer'
A moment of utter silence followed, and
then Josie said:
"There is gentleman and lady in the other
room, Fred, who want to see Frank. Will
you see them?"
And Fred, appearing in compliance with
this request, found his uncle vigorously fam
ming Maude Chesterton with a newspaper to
bring her out of a fainting fit.
Before he could frame q question. his uncle
said, quickly:
Get some water!" And he obeyed
Then, Maude's blue eyes opening with be-.
wildered stare, the old gentleman continued:
I'VE were sent here to see your domestic
felicity, and we seem to be mislnformed"
"My domestic felicity" cried Fred.
"Read that" said his uncle, handing the
anonymous note. Aud Fred complied.
"Humph! yes" he said. $50 you came to
see Mrs: Frederick Holman. Well, that lady
has made me happy MAUI" and his ewes
flashed merrily upon Maude. "But will in
troduce you to my Cousins wife Mrs Frank
Holman. Maude," he continued, with gentle
gravity ''since you have come here, it will be
for'-and his voice sank very low--swe are
afraid the poor little woman will be widow
before the morning"
"Poor fellow!" said James Rutherford.
"What is the trouble?'
"Over-work. He thought he could increase
his small salaries by toiling over fine engrav-
ings in the evening, and he broke down. 7
never knew of his marriage until last week,
when he wrote me painful note, begging
me to care for his wife if he died. I came
here at once, and was fortunate enough to win
poor little Josie's sisterly confidence and af-
lection. Maude. if the great trouble we fear
comes"
twill be her true sister, Fred!" interrupt
ed Maude.
"Here was a deep silence of several min
utes, then Josie, very plae still, crept softly in
to the room.
"He is asleep!" she whispered. "The doc.
tor said If he slept he would liye!"
And When she broke into hysterical weep
ing, Maude held her close in loving arms.
comfort her, for Fred's sake.
Nearly eleven o'clock came, and still
Harvey rockingham waited, half frozen, in
the dark courtway, to see the discontinue of
his rival. Then his patience was rewarded by
seeing Fred and his uncle come out of No. rs,
arm-in-arm, evidently the best Of friends, and
enter Miss Chesterton's carriage and drive
away.
Not until the day of the wedding, when he
saw Josie an hOnOred guest, and was intro
duced to Mr.. Frank Holman, did Harvey
Forthingham understand the slight mistake
he had made.
In 1854 the farmer had to pay 20 cents
per pound for his sugar, to-day the same
amount may be bought for less than half
that sum. If his wife needed a new
calico dress it required 40 cents to buy
yard, to-day it requires but six. Delaines
have fallen from 40 to 10, ginghams from