The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-11

had taken a house in such a situation
that he could keep the young wife under
very close surveillance, and he was con-
fidont that, sooner or later, he would
prove her all he believed women univer-
sally to be.
But month after month won't by and
George was more in love than ever.
There had also come to the happy home
| over the way from Marks fine little
boy that had been called after him, and
blue eyed girl whom not even Mark
could find it in his heart to regard as
dangerous He was even venturing to
make Mrs. George Downes that excep-
ton said to be contingent upon every
rule when suddenly all suspicious wcro
forced into active life and prominence.
One day-a very wot one--a close car
ringe drove up to Georges house, and
Mrs. George, heavily cloaked and veilcd
was driven away in it.
every well, ma'am" said Mark, sns-
piciously. to himself eve shall see
whether you confess to having been out
o-day."
So he went over to Georges, played
rubber or two with his favorite, and tried
every way to induce confession rs to
the drive in the rain, but the young
wife would mako no allusion to it. This
was on Monday. On Thursday, st tho
same hour, the carriage came again. and
Georges wife went away in it. The
next week she went on three different
days, and twice, the weather being fine,
he noticed she wore her very best dress,
the rich brocade that had been one of
her wedding suits
The affair was beginning to look very
black to Mark, for he had satisfied him.
self that George had been told nothing
whatever of these clandestine excursions.
On the next Monday ho had carriage
waiting, and when the lady went out
again he directed his driver to keep hor
we'll in sight. In this way he followed
her beyond the aristocratic precincts of
the city to a lit tile house set back in
garden quite in the suburbs. A very
handsome ,foreign-lool1ing man met her
with many smiles and escorted her into
tho house. Mark sent his carriage home,
and patiently waited.
After an interval Of two hours Mrs.
Downes' carriage returned, tho same
gentleman put her carefully into it, and
she must have driven ut onco home, for
when Mark passed the house she was
sitting in her plain merino dress by the
window, tending his namesake. She
ran to the door and begged him to come
in; but Mark was toofull of his discovery
and answered, grufliy:
"Ask George to come to me after din
ner; I have something to tell him."
George heard what his godfather had
to say with face half angry and half
incredulous.
cit must have been my wife's sister,"
he said.
Mark laughed scornfully at such u
defenso, and moreover stoutly asserted
TINT 1t was Mrs. Downes and not her
sister.
"Come on Thursday and 500 for your
self, George"
eff I do, godfather, it will not be
because suspect my wife, but because
[ am sure to prove you wrong"
Still George thought it singular that
he could not by the most adroit ques-
tioning get from her any allusion to
those mysterious visits. At length he
said;
Emma, will ask for Thursday after
noon, and we will go out to Alborough
woods and get the holly md mistlctoe
for Christmas. What do you say?"
'T can't go. Thursday, George, dear;
1 have SO much to do"
"What have you to do?"
More than can tell. Is it not nearly
Christmas, and does that not imply all
sorts of housekeeping duties? But I
will go with you Friday, dear"
George was little cross at the refusal
and answered gloomily;
"No; have lost the wish to go now. ;
Then both were silent, and the evening
was. not. pleasant one. All the next
dGYhe told himself that he would not
go and watch his wife Thursday, and
yet when the day came he was sitting
with his godfather at tho window. At
the usual hour the carriage arrived, and
Mrs. Downes, with her hair as elaborate
ly dressed as if she was going to state
dinner ut the Bishops palace, ran down
tho steps, and was soon driven rapidly
away. "'...
"Well, godfather" he said pleasantly
:, '.that IS Emma, certainly, and sho is
very remarkably dressed; but, for all
that, L am sure she has some good rea-
| son for what she tells me-"
,"''Dont bo II fool, George; 60 and
| question your servants"
After n little reflection, George crossed
to his own house and rang tho bell. The
housemald seemed astonishcd at his np-
pcaranco, and when he asked where her