Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-02-06


session Of facts, with which she re-
turned to her house triumphant. Mrs.
De Ioung's months rent was paid III
advance, and only two weeks mad
elapsed. The chance of reletting the
rooms was not to be considered in com.
parison with the opportunity to retail
ate on lodger who had cast suspicion
on andlady of fifteen years standing.
If Mrs, De Young could he confronted
with the evidence that she was receiving
unlawful attentions, and be dismissed
the house in disgrace, there would be
two weeks rent made clear, and the
character Of Mrs. Crane would be am.
ply vindicated. 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 i'll 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
accomplices went through Mrs. De
Young's bureau drawers, the contents
of lace boxes and jewel boxes were
scheduled and a 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 a proof
reader, since she did nothing but mark
nice-looking manuscript all up with
erasures aud corrections, how she had
been sure for a long time that her plain.
liess of dress was only a pretense and
a blind, consoling the indignant, injured
wife with the assurance that her revenge
was at hand. "Wouidn'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 hnshand,'
cried the excited woman at the crack Of
the back parlor door; and forthwith
Mrs. Crane established Ler visitor at
the landing outside Mrs De Young's
door, remaining to keep her company
and see if anything was wanted. "rhe
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 90.
her now-he, he!"
To say that the strange gentleman
greeted Mrs. De Young with kisses and
remarks distinctly audible outside the
door, that the ladies outside heard
these sounds with the fierce clinking of
teeth, and from the range Of the key
hole Mrs De. Young seemed incautious-
| ly to be sitting on the arm of the gem
tieman's chair, with his arm around
| her, would be to admit details obviously
undesirable tor family newspaper.
The listeners heard ardent declarations
Of love; they heard him in a low, sus-
tanned voice unfold plan Tor Mrs. De
10 ~
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 0gdensburg one
week from II at date.
Now, SAID Mrs. Crane, applying her
false key to the spring lock, and walk.
ing boldly in, pushing the distracted
wife before her to astound the msera-
bic 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 ofthe 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 disturbance of feeling.
did you have any trouble in getting
your key to work, Mrs. Crane p quoth
Mrs. De Young.
Mrs. Crane, allow me 10 make you
acquainted with my husband and most
intimate friend said the injured wife.
GAS ] 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 am witness, don't see that
we will need TO trouble you any fur
Their. am very much obliged for the
entertainment you have furnished u.s."
50 am ]" said Mrs. De Young.
$50 am ]" said the unbanished nus
band, broad smiles irradiating the
faces Of the party
81 give notice, Mrs. De Young" said
the irate Crane, that shall want these
rooms Immediately. am not called
on to be made part in any unladylike