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

FlNLA SUN,O UYEN A.ULASSEO
Mrs. Finlayson felt aggrieved on re-
turning to the domestic hearth in Bry-
anstone square one evening, from .
short visit to some friends in the coun-
try, at finding that her husband was not
at home to receive her. II he would
not take the trouble to meet her at the
st ation, she thought he might at least
have made point Of welcoming her on
the threshold of his house. She sub
sequentlv ascertained that her lord and
master had started on journey to
Liverpool e,rly in the morning, and
was not expected back till late. This
information. however, did not soothe
the good lady's rutiled spirit, though
she had been married long enough to
realize the exigencies Of business. The
truth was. that old Mat Finlayson. rs
his friend, cal ed him, after prolonged
and jovial bachelor existence, had de-
veloped into such docile and attentive
husband that he reaped the reward Of
his excellence in the shape of domestic
tyranny and oppre ssion.
When the truant at length made his
appearance he was greeted by the wife
Of his bosom in the chilliest manner.
The lady was tired and sleepy, or she
mi Ii. have had good deal to say on
the subject Of his alleged neglect. She
contental herself. however. with
haughtily repelling his friendly al
vances and answering his questions in
moaosvllables. Mr. Finlayson seemed
much less tenderlv affected by this be-
havior than usual, circumstance which
did not escape his wife's notice. He
was evidently in nervous and preoccu-
pied frame of mind. which he explained
by saving that he had had long and
disayreeable DAYS business Mrs Fin
LAWSON was so struck bv his demeanor
that she began to wonder what he had
been doing, an uncomfortable suspicion
which frequently occurred to her,
though it originated entirely in her
naturally exacting and jealous DISPOSE
ton.
Next morning Mr.. Finlavson had to
start very early for the city to keep M
appointment, and took his departure
with remarkable alacritv. as though
glad to escape from his wife's presence.
That lady had arrived at the firm con-
viction, rs the result of close obserya-
ton and watchfnlness since his return
the preceding evening, that her lord
was oppressed by some guilty secret.
She knew the outward and visible signs
Of business worries, and felt sure that
the cause Of his present uneasiness
was troubled conscience arising from
some serious misdemeanor. No doubt
the demon of jealousy helped her to ar
that for some reason or other Mr.. Fin
layson did not appear to regard the
homecoming of his wife on this occa-
sion with unmixed satisfaction.
The mornings post did not arrive un-
til after he had left. and consequently
Mrs. Eialayson assumed the wiselv
function of opening her husbands let
tiers. 1t seemed as though there was
nothing in the correspondence to salts
fy the uneasy curiosity which prompted
her to examine every letter with in
creased attention. But when she came
to the last of the hatch-a blue, official
looking envelope, which she had put
aside as eminently uninteresting--sh she
was seized with mild mystitication. It
was q formal communication from the
Director Of the Lost Property Office, at
Scotland Yard. stating that a pair oi
fiell-glasses. bearing the name and al :
dress OF Mr.. Finlayson, had been found
in public conveyance the day before
and would be restored on payment of .
small percentage upon the declared
value.
What struck Mrs. Finlayson as strange
npon reading this intimation was tina,
her husbands field-glasses stood at thu
present moment on the mantel-shelf il
noticed them just before. but to make
sure she Immediately went up stairs IL
satisfy herself upon the point. The
glasses We're beyond doubt in theil
accustomed place. With vague cnrios
ity Mrs. Finlavson took them out of tn.
case. inside which was glued one Of hel
husbands visiting cards, inscribed Will
his name and address. She knew the'
were the only glasses he possessed, ant
consequently they must be the identica
ones referred to in the communicate,
from the police.
A few moments reflection suggested
the probable explanation of what hat
happened with regard to them. Evi
IDENTIFY they had been claimed at tn,
Lost Property Office after the pole,
had dispatched to her husband forma
intimation of their recovery. This, how
ever, was very small part of the mys
terry. The serions question was, wha'
had her husband wanted to take the
glasses to Liverpool for, and why HI,
he made no mention of his singular
good luck in recovering valuable mr.
ticle left in cahs The obvious answe
seemed to be that he had not gone K
Liverpool at all, but had attended som.
race meeting, under the pretense of be
ing away on Business.
This idea came to Mrs. Finlayson like
revelation. and she resolved to sift the
matter to the bottom. For her morn.
ing drive she went to Scotland Yard
where she obtained confirmation oil
her theory as to what had taken place
concerning the glasses. They were
brought in early in the morning by the
driver of hanson cab. who had
just taken fare at Kings Gross station
to catch the special train for Doncasta,
races. The owners name and address
being found inside the case m official
notice was sent off. according to custom
but later in the day lad. apparently q
clerk, came, who said that Mr.. Finlay,
son had telegraphel him to inquire TO,
the glasses at Scotland Yard, and. i,
necessary, to pay the finders fee. Al
the application was evidently bona tide
the glasses was given up.
Mrs. Finlayson did not know whether
to be elated or dismayed by the result
of these inquiries, for, while there was i
sort Of grim satisfaction in finding hel
snrmises were correct, the informatio.
thus acquired suggested alarming i'm
posture and deceit on the part Of hel
husband.
1t looked rs though he were accus
toned to spend the time which she in
nocently thought he devoted exclusively
to business in more agreeable but lssa