The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-02-12

/ ~~Os"NS
two weeks rent made clear, and the
character Of Mrs. Crane would be am.
ply indicated. Fortune favored her,
for the next mornings letters in
formed her that the unknown, or rath-
er well known, Romeo was to visit Mrs.
De Young that night at her own rooms.
How soon that letter was in the hands
of lady on Madison avenue, it needs
not to inquire.
Early that afternoon yelled lady and
cloaked lady was shown into Mrs.
Cranes back parlor. She was expect
ed. nay more, the ardent, the bold,
adventurous Crane, crept out on the ex-
tension roof and into Mrs. de Young's
windows, unlocked her doors from the
inside, and invited the strange lady to
an inspection of the rooms. The two
accompllces went through Mrs. De
Young's bureau drawers, the contents
of lace boxes and jewel boxes were
scheduled and packet of letters taken
from the portfolio of Mrs. De Young's
trunk were identified and taken pos
session Of. The irate wife of the ardent
Romeo then retired to Mrs. Cranes
back room and was solaced with a cup
Of tea and recital Of all ''the goings-
! on in that house," How Mrs, Crane
had never liked that Mrs. De Young
from the first, because she "never could
make anything out OF her." how she
had resisted all efforts to be sociable,
and disclose her family and affairs to
Mrs. Cranes friendly ears, burning to
receive her confidence, how Mrs. Crane
doubted the story of her being proof
reader, since she did nothing but mark
nice-looking manuscript all up with
erasures and corrections, how she had
been sure for long time that her plain
ness Of dress was only q pretense and
blind, consoling the indignant, injured
wife with the assurance that her revenge
was at hand. "Wouldn't T. like to see
that woman when we find your husband
in her room," breathed Mrs. Crane in
accents of deepest satisfaction.
1t was quarter past when Mrs.
De Young, at the first tingle of the bell,
stole down and admitted = gentleman,
who passed Immediately to her sitting
room. "That's he-that's my husband, ;"
cried the excited woman at the crack of
the back >parlor door; and forthwith
Mrs. Crane established Ter visitor at at
the landing outside Mrs De Young's
door, remaining to keep her company
and see if anything was wanted. 1.-THE
nights I've watched and listened at
these doors" murmured the enraptur-
ed Mrs. Crane. ''That woman Thought
she was too smart for me, but I've got
her now-he, bel" -.~
To say that the strange gentleman
Egreeted Mrs. De Young with kisses and
remarks distinctly audible outside the
door, that the ladies outside heard
these sounds with the fierce blinking of
teeth, and from the range of the key.
hole Mrs De. Young seemed incautious-
~ to be sitting on the arm of the gen.
tleman's chair, with his arm around
her, would be to admit details obviously
undesirable tor a family newspaper.
The listeners heard ardent declarations
Of love; they heard him in a low, sus-
tanned voice unfold plan for Mrs. De
Young to meet him in Canada, where
business would soon call him; they
heard her objections, coquettishly urged,
yield before his professions of regard,
and the contract signed and sealed that
they were to meet at Ogdensburg one
week from that date. = .agzss3,5
Nov" said Mrs: Crane, applying her
false key 10 the spring lock, and. walk.
ing boldly in, pushing the distracted
wife before her to astound the misera-
BILE pair. But her eyes misgave her
the first moment. Instead Of appearing
overwhelmed, the two took matters
quite coolly. Mrs. De Young did not
even move from the arm of the chair
or the gentleman take his arm from her
waist. she was even more surprised to
see the outraged wife walk up to Mrs.
De Young and kiss her on the cheek
with the utmost familiarity, the height
ened color and eyes dancing with mis-
chief which was not malicious, alone
making any disturb ance Of feeling.
did you have any trouble in getting
your key to work, Mrs. Crane p quoth
Mrs. De Young.
Mrs. Crane, allow me to make you
acquainted with my husband and most
intimate friend, " said the injured wife.
Is0'As ] planned this little performance
from beginning to end, and dictated
those letters to Mrs. De Young which
you opened, making yourself liable for
felony, as I am witness. I don't see that
We will need to trouble you any fur.
lther. am very much obliged for the
entert ent you y, have furnished =