Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-06-06
are bad. Yes; some even betray thei,

are bad. Yes; some even betray their
husbands" 49,. -.. .r
"And in such cases I'm afraid that
the husbands are also to blame"
II don't think so, said Tom CURLY.
"But you are worrying yourself, I
see, although you try to affect indiffer-
ence. What is it?''
Worrying myself? Not bit"
cried Mr.. Bilbury.
81 am glad to hear you say So" re-
turned his wife. II don't worry my
self. Cozy suppers and ~
"But the probable death of your hus-
bandw iuterjaculated Mr.. Bilbury.
"Oh, I am philosophical. We only
lived together for two days; We only
knew each: other for q few weeks. What
am I to him? What is he to me. Life
is still before me-"
"That is rather plain speaking -
thought Tom. II wonder whether she
would like to get up Irritation with
me? I will draw her on little"
"Ah!" he said aloud, "you have hap
piness within your grasp, and you can
make another happy. 1t is not every
man who is so fortunate as to meet with
a woman like you. Now. I confess that
I have been unfortunate in my expert
ence. But if thought that I might
hope for your Sympathy"
"Surely, Mr.. Tilbury, it would be un-
womanly of me to refuse"
Tom drew his chair near to that of his
wife and continued: "Oh, if 1 might
hope for your sympathy, and look for
your regard and pity, my dear Mrs. Bill
bury, lie, I assure you, would soon as
sumo a new complexion to my eyes. Let
us be plain. Can you not axe me
happy. and bestow your sympathy, your
love, and your pity upon one who will
value such gifts at their true worth?'
Mrs. Bilbury, evidently asitated, rose.
Really" she exclaimed, II was not
prepared for all this. l feel the need of
love, love such as yours; but" And
she buried her face in her hands.
"This,' thought MIR. Bilbury to him.
self, sis my faithful and devoted wife p
yet he was unable to refrain from seat.
log himself beside Lydia and putting
bis arm round her waist. "Dear Mrs
Blbury" he said, Il love you! Do
you, Can you love me?
She gave q scarcely perceptible ges-
ture of assent, and Tom, now thorough
~ convinced of his wife's untrustwor-
thlness, eprang up and confronted beg.
"Mrs. Bilbury," he said, "what
would your husband say to this? You
have disgraced him!"
| She looked up, and held out her
hands imploringly.
| "You are vicious woman !" he con.
timed un1e]entingly.
"Ihen why, just now. did you ask fol-
my love? she demanded.
"Because wanted to assure myself
that you were as vicious and worthless
as I now know you to be. As for low
ing you'll despise you! All if you
were only good woman And he
approached her and took her Ey the
hand. For an instant he stood thus;
then he raised the hand and kissed it,
and finally he kissed his wife on the
| cheek.
care you going, Mr.. Til5ury?' she
asked.
eyes; had better go; it is for the
best. We could not be happy. Good
bye" He kissed her again, and then
moved slowly away to the door, where
he stood, painfully regarding her.
"Gool-bye!" she echoed. "But, u
she continued in another voice. "Tom p
"Tom T. repeated Mr.. Bilbury, start
ing and coloring. "Who told you my
name was Tom?''
"You did, you foolish fellow, about
| two years ago."
"And you know me, Lydia:" he cried,
as he quickly returned to her. "You
have known me all along?''
"No; I did not know you until ) on
told me that tremendous story about the
tiger. There was no n1istaking YOU
tbenr'
By this time Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas
Bilbury We're embracing each other sc
afectionately that the conversation was
rcndert d very frogmentary and disjoint
ed. 1t is, therefore, almost impossible
to ch1ooicie what they said; but it is Ger
tain that they forgave each other, and i
is matter Of notoriety that there La
since been no happier couple on Rich
mond Hill.