The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-11-09


not object to his going to race meet
ing occasionally, and she had even ac-
companied him now and again on these
excursions. II, during her absence,
the spirit had moved him to pay visit
to Doncastef, why need lie have made
mystery about the matter? She forgot,
| perhaps, that she might have been
tempted to indulge in unpleasant re-
marks about his taking advantage Of
her temporary absence to plunge into
vortex Of dissipation and prohigacv:
and had this reflection occurred to her
1t might have furnished clew to her
husbands mysterious behavior. But
Mrs. Finlayson was not in mood to
find excuses for him, being possessed Of
gloomy forebodings and jealous sus-
picions. She instinctivcly felt that she
had made discovery which might lead
- disclosures affecting her domestic
happiness, and was irresistibly impclled
to follow the matter up and astertain
the worst. She therefore obtained from
the police the name and address Of the
cabman who had restored the glasses,
in order to satisfy her mind upon the
vital point Of whether her husband had
gone to the races alone or in eunvocal
society.
Mrs. Finlayson was strong-minded
woman. and was not to be ,launted by
trifles. Thus, though the cabman she
was in search OF lived in a news in a
distant suburb, she did not hesitate to
proceed thither Immediately Her en-
tcrprising spirit was rewarded by the
coincidence that the cabman drove mp
to change his horse Just as she reached
his address. He was civil-spoken
young fellow. and readily answered her
inquiries. He recollected driving m
elderly gentleman to Kings Cross sta
ton the previous morning to catch an
early train for Dover.
The gentleman had hailed him rs he
was passing the top Of Bryanstone
square, and came out Of one Of the
houses on the left-hand side. There
was sly look on the mans face while
he spoke which plainly showed that he
could tell more ii he chose. He was
loyal enough, however, not to volunteer
information rashly, and it was only on
being pressed that he revealed tho
damning fact that his fare had ordered
him to drive by Regents Circus. where
he had INDEPENDENTLY by appointment
"a faslioaably dressed Young lady, who
accompanied him on his expedition.
Mrs. Finlayson rewarded the man for
his ciyilitv. and returned home CULVER
ing with rage and Indignation. 1t was
a severe shock to her feelings to learn
that her husband, whose conjugal fl
deity and devotion she had never really
doubted. was CARRYING on an nnhallowel
Irritation with another woman. When
she reflected that she now occupied the
painful and inyidious position Of
wronged wife, she felt overwhelmed hy
the magnitude of the misfortune which
had befallen her, and her anger gave
place to bitter humiliation and anguish.
But, though she would now fain have
persuaded herself that her suspicious
We're gronndless, her fatal curiosity i'm
PEELED her. on her arrival home, TO cross
question Simmonds. the butler.
Mr. Simmonds was sedate and
pompus individual. whose only merit
was attachment to his master. whom he
had served in the capacity Of valet in
his bachelor DAYS. 4 kind Of armed
neutrality existed between Simmonds
and his ms rcss. each leing secretly
jealous Of the others influence q or the
head of the household Mrs. Finlavson
made her inquiries guarledlv, hut was
met by a similar spirit of caution.
1t soon became evident that. whatev-
er the man knew or suspected of his
masters proceedings. he was not going
to reveal anything. He did not deny,
however, that Mr.. Finlayson had been
away from home good deal during his
! wife's absence and his marked reserve
served to confirm his mistress snspi-
cions.
| "Your master left early yesterday
morning. did he not. Simmonds." said
Mrs. Finlayson. What time did he
| leave?'
He left the house shortly after half
past six. ma'am," replied the man, sulk-
| lily.
Did he leave in cab?"
He hailed one ut the end of the
square. was sounding my whistle on
the doorstep when master hurried past
me and said he could not wait"
Poor Mrs. Finlayson's heart sank on
hearing this. These apparently trifling
details fitted in exactly with the cab
mans evidence.
"Did-did your master take his field
glasses with him?s inquired Mrs. Fin
LAWSON, in desperation.
I Il don't know, maam,' replied tho
man with strong deliberation which be-
lied his words.
Mrs. Finlayson asked nothing fur
ther, being entirely convinced, not ONLY
OF her husbands deceit, but also that
the man Simmonds was his ahe,tor and
accomplish. She began to reflect seri.
onsly how she should act in the present
disagreeable emergency. Strangely
enough, the startling revelation which
had come upon her SO unexpectedly
seemed to have subdued both her tenn.
per and her strong-mindedness. She
thought more Of her wretchelness than
Of venting her righteous anger or n,lig.
nation upon her offending spouse. II
add to her tribulafion she was troubled
by s.lf-upbraid ny thoughts. which az.
cnsel her Of having habitnallv IRE.
snmcd upon her husbands EASY 900
nature, and Of having probably by that
means alienated his affections from her.
This bitter reflection materially in
creased her unhappiness, though il in
clined her to forbearance and forgive.
hess.
When her husband retuuled in the
evening he found her in tears. the pict
IRE II misery and despair. He looked
startled and uneasy ut the sight OF her
distress. and neryonsly inquired what
allied her.
oh. Matthew. how can von ask ?
she exclaimed, shrinking from hi en-
brace. Il know the truth about yes.
terday. lou have been deceiying lie
for a long time"
Ms love, acted with the best in.
tentions,' he answered. eagerly. Il
only wished to spare you your brothers
disgrace. Heaven knows! have been
worried out Of my life over that wretch.
ell business, and was afraid / should