Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-09-09

Smith, who went out from thesuite of
apartments below..every day with a silk
umbrella under his arm, dyed mus
taches and smoothly-shaven chin, had
his amiable weaknesses likewise.
II almost wish" said Daffodil to her
self, 'fthat I had remained unmarried.
No I don't either, II don't know
what / do wishr'
So, woman-like, Daffodil had begun
to cry.
But the pleasant twilight walk in the
park, and the melodious whistle of the
robin at the bird fancier's, had cheered
her up again, fer the time being.
But she could not be blind to the fact
that John was not with her so much as
during the five weeks after their mar
riage Now and again of an evening
he would be absent without sufficient
excuse, and with a smothered pang at
her heart, Daffodil had thought of Olive
Dodworth, the brilliant young actress,
even then playing at one of tim minor
city theaters.
"Does he care for her YETI" Dafodil
asked herself; and there came no salts
factory answer to the query.
And so it happened that tonight, as
she stood among her geraniums, look
ing out at the sunset, she was not quite
happy.
an old times" said this bride of six
months to herself John was always
home to take me for a walk in the twi-
light. He never thinks of it now"
Were Aunt JOcasta and Mrs. Nudge
right, after all? Was man delusion,
and life dreary series of disappoint-
ments?
AS these dispiriting reflections pass
ed through her mind, she was started
by the unexpected sound of a fOotstep
on the foor-a footstep too hight and
elastic to be that of her husband
She turned and was amazed to see,
in the indistinct light, the tall figure of
a beautiful young lady, richly dress
ed, and wearing such Partisan bon
net as poor Daffodil had never seen
before.
Pardon me for intruding," said the
lady, with royal air, "but are these
Mr. Greys rooms"'
'They are" said Daffodil, summon
ing all the dignity at her control and
secretly wondering if this might not be
the bete n0ir of her thoughts and fancies
Miss Dodworth. "But | did not hear
you knock"
Il did not knock" said the anony-
nous fair one, with hauteur.
DOffOdil colored.
Il am Mrs. Grey" said she, quickly.
Pardon me-" said the lady, II am
Mrs. Grey. [ suspected something of
this ne,o order of things" with con
temptuous curl of her lip, "and | have
come on from Chicago to cOunteract
it."
Madam" said DafodiI, standing
very erect, although she could feel her
self trembling all over, ''you must be
insane! [ was married to Mr.. Grey on
the first day of last January"
The lady laughed-a hard, mirthless
laugh
''Indeedr' said She And I was mar
ried to him on the 9th of October, two
years ago. Poor child" as the pallor
Overspread Dafodils cOuntenance, II
don't suppose yOt are to blame, but in
this hard world we have to suffer for
one anOther's crimes. Where is hep
'I-don't know" family admitted the
bride.
"Humph" said the lady, compress
ing her lips. ''He is at his old tricks,
1 see. Well can wait. You don't
ask me to be seated, but | shall take
that liberty without your permission.
And she sat down, flinging back the
folds of her rich India shawl, while
Daffodil watched her with silent dis
may.
Was this true? Had John Grey really
deceived her? He whom she had loved
so entirely, trusted so infinitely? If this
was really SO there was no truth in all
the world
The shadows gradually deepened: the
| clock on the mantel licked as busily as
If it was running race against time
and still the two sat there, silent, speech
less, eaah dreading, yet longing, to hear
John Grey's footsteps on the stairs.
| At last he came.
Sitting in the dark, pet?" he cried
merrilv, as he crossed to the mantel
and lighted the gas-iet. II must see
your dear little face, for I have some
thing to tell you which"
He checked himself abruptly, for at
that moment he caught sight of the
pale beautiful stranger in the Partisan
hat and glistening India shawl. He
turned to DaffodiI.
"Who is this lady" he asked.
II do not know her." she answered.
'Do not gOu2"
"Never saw her before in all my life"
said Grey in unfeigned amazement.
The lady rose little nervously.
"Is-tbis gentleman your husband?'
she SAID, the color varying on her
cheek.
"He is" Dafodil mechanically re-
piled.
There is some mistake" said the
stranger, with visible embarrassment.
"This is not the Mr.. Grey [ mean. Ny
Mr.. Grey is short and dark, with a
heavy beard-Richard Richardson
Grey-and-"
The young husband struck his hand
on the table, as if the idea had sudden
ty occurred to him.
with slight cast in one eyer said
he. can artist, is he nOt?"
"Exactyw cried the India-shawled
beauty
He occupies the suite of rooms di-
rectly above u.s." said he. 'He moved
in last month"
Then" said the lady" Il have mis-
taken the fiat. Pray, pray'-to Daft
odil-'f forgive me-"
Daffodil could only laugh hysterical-
ly, and hide her head on her husbands
shoulder
And not until the door had been
closed behind the stranger, did John
Grey exclaim:
''Poor fellow! l have heard some
tbiDor Of +biC Sbo form, oDtC +l,o I;fo oft