The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-03-26
THE SECOND HUSBAND.

"Come in" said Maurice Carroll,
languidly, from the depths of the easy
chair in which he was calmly reading.
81 beg your pardon" said Paul Car
ter, looking in, "did you say you were
disengaged q
"What, Paulp exclaimed Maurice,
rapturously, and scizing Paul by the
hand. "is it really you, or your ghost :
haven't seen you for a year. Sit
down. What have you been doing
with yourself2 hear you have been
and got married r
II have" said Paul, signing.
"Hullo p said Maurice, opening his
eyes. married life unhappyl Now
come to notice it, yon look rather pale.
Jealous of any one :"
s.Nonsense r said Paul, impatiently.
'Nothing of the kind. My wife is the
sweetest little woman you ever laid eyes
on, and never gives me the least canse
for jealousy"
"Violent temperT' limited Carroll.
"Not at all, said Paul, smiling.
' You don't know her; sho never is
angry"
Then what is the mattcrl" demand
ed Maurice, for something is. Don't
tell me- / know. When fellow comes
in and sighs when he is asked about his
wife, something's up. Come, what Is ill
Unhosom r =
"W'ell, you know" said Carter, hesi-
tatingly, "my wife, before | married
her. was n widow, and her name VAS
Johnson
Exactly. Romantic name. Pro
eeed p
"Well, johnson was n pretty good
sort of fellow, / believe" continued
Paul, 'though rather humdrum. /
don't believe Mary loved him 50 de-
votedly while he lived, but now she
idolizes him, and worships his memory,
and all that sort Of thing"
"Ah! see" sahl Maurice, noddiug
sagely. She's always throwing his
great worth at our head r.
''Yee s" said Paul, slowly " that's
about it. Continually holding him mp
as an example for me to copy from. Not
in AN angry manner, Ilind bat in a
mildly reproacifnl tone that is mn
msnsely aggravatins. can't stand it
any longer"
"Yes ] suppose il does become mo-
notonous after while" said Maurice,
comniseTatingly. "But was tho late
lamented johnson such model Of pro-
priety as she representsl 7"
cit seemJ so, said Paul, dismally
"and that's the worst of it. As far as
can iind ont, be never did anything
wrong from the day of his birth to the
day Of his death. If l could only find
ont any oiTenss be- bad committed ]
might hush her up, bat | cant he
never even thought Of nhs stbing wick
ed"
sII'm." sail Maurice. IhoughtrulI,
"Well, pity you, aud il | can relieve
you | will. Take cigal. a,j forget
johnson. il you can"
Il can't, groaned Paul. desl.aitinsls
paul" .atl Ma. Carter, mildly
g have you brought that silk floss
asked for r
/ "
meekiy. ''lfow stupid !"
Never mind" said Mrs. Carter
"Johnson never forgot anything toll,
him.
Mts. Carter sighed. and there was
short pause.
''Panl." she said, presently.
"Do you think you can go to the sta
ton TO meet Mrs. Allway when sh,
comes ON her visit to me l7
"Fm afraid not, said Paul, quietly
"My business viii not admit it. an
really very sorry"
"Yery WE'LL" said Mrs. Carter, re
signedly. '4'll go myself. nnt John
son never allowed his business to inter
E,re with any project for obliging me.
Eve can't all be like johnson" sait
Paul. little tartly.
Every true" said Mrs. Carter, qnict
ly. ..The late Mr.. johnson was yer,
good man."
''Do you suppose be ever did any
wrong ?" asked Paul. cynically.
II don't think he ever did, said Mrs
Csrter, decidedly. " I'm firmly con
vinced-n
llrrf Sue ~as ipitpppte,l by a ring
at the bell.
A middle.aged gentleman was showl
! into the room inquiring for Paul.
"Mr Carter, believer he said in
quiringIy.
And, as he spoke, he produced rron
his coat POCKET bulky pocket-booS.
81 am, said Paul, surprised at th,
mans manner Do yon wish to Sc,
me for anything important ?"
sWell," said the stranger coolly
) CHATS according to what light you view
it in. You see" be went on selectin,
several pieces Of paper frop: his book
II have here several little bills agains
: the late Mr.. johnson, your wile's forme
husband"
against Mr.. johnson = exclaime,
Mrs. Carter, incredulously. fAFou mus
be mistakeni Mr., johnson left no bill
: unpaid at his DEATH"
"P'raps you think SO" said the man
mysteriously, '9hut you're wrong. MI
johnson was an uncommon sly fox
and 1 reckon you didn't know all of hi
: affairs
"What do you meanl" asked Mrs.
: Carter, looking as If she was about /
burst into tears.
ssThis bifi;" said the man slowly, dii
d regarding the interruption, ''is for cie