Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-22

nail gave promise OF the garnered n;thr0ugh
the flaming leaves OF the naples and beech the
robins fitted and sang; the potatoes were
gathered, the corn was cut and stacked, and
election day was close at hand. The very night
before, had noticed at the supper table that
Jane was laboring under q suppressed excite
ment. Her cheeks rivaled the bit Of saliva she
had put in her hair; two or three times I saw
her brown eyes I'LL with tears. She wore red
merino gown with some soft lace about her neck
and never since her girlhood had she looked
more sweet and fair. After supper went out
to see after the stock. and looking from the
stable door saw what seemed to me the futter
OF red gown in the dusky cleaning, down
under the big chestnut trees, and peering
through the darkness I saw my wife standing
there, talking earnestly with Dick Knowles
He was in his shirt sleeves and leaned idly upon
a rake, with which he had probably been gather
| ing the underbrush that numbered the bound
aries OF the farms. Jane had likely gone to look
after her young turkeys, and had stopped,
thought. to have a chat with Dick Time was
when he would have come up to the house and
talked with me, but l remembered sadly that
there was no pleasure in that any more. Nor
did my wife mention that she had seen him. She
knew that Dick and l were not what we had
been to each other.
| That night my foolish wife lay wide-awake
for hours. Every time turned my weary eyes
to hers found them opened wide. She lay
quite still. Her face was white, save for fever
ish spot that burned on either cheek. Once she
put her hot little hand on mine, but turned
away in grim impotence, beginning to believe
we were both bewitched. For, now that mat
tiers had been settled one way or the other for
the nation, began to think of my farm. 1t had
always been pleasant to me to remember that
owned those broad acres, and to part with them
for a mere matter Of opinion would certainly be
a grievous wrench to me. But all that was
| past praying for now. Dick and had been hot
headed fools, but we must abide the conse-
| quences Out our way mans word was as
| good as his bond, and in this case it was
| double covenant between US. Besides, the
| gulf had widened between Dick and me since
| this stormy campaign; hot words had passed be-
tween US. knew he would rather hang him
self than take back his farm II his candidate was
defeated, and no power on earth could induce
| me TO accept OF mine under a like mischance.
| The deeds were there. the property must change
hands. Yet how could Dick or rob each other
in this miserable way3 But could ever enjoy
| the possession of my land again if l owed it to
| the leniency of Dick Knowles? Or would he
take his back from me under the sting of like
| obligation! 1t was wretched muddle either
way. and, worn out with contending emotions
| toward morning fell into heavy slumber.
When awoke it was broad day and was
not surprised that Jane was up and dressed and
| already downstairs. She was thrifty house.
| wife, and arose with the lark. / hurried on nv
clothes, beginning to realize what an important
| day it was to me. to Dick Knowles to thous-
ands of miserable wights who had foolishly
placed themselves in like predcament. AS 1
In pungent as wine; soft bright haze blurred
all the sweet landscape that lay before me-
The farm was James, to be sure, and perhaps at
that moment had not a rood OF earth that |
could comfortably call my own; but as long as
owned Jane, her farm was In certain sense
! mine. and as l went down the stairs and into
the dining-room, from thence to the kitchen and
cellar, and out into the garden and out-houses
began to wonder where this most precious of
all my earthly treasures could be- Out in the
barn-yar1 | Cor, n
of wood he had brought from the cedar swamp
thought Jane must be hunting for eggs in the
barn.
Have you seen my wife, sam?" / called
Yes, sab" he said, opening his mouth from
ear to ear; II see her bout n hour ago ridin'
with Mr.. Knowles down to BanktoWn He
was drivin' like all possessed: them ere bays O.
hisn was all in lather'
stood looking at Sam moment, almost as
open-mouthed as he; then laughed. "Ha! ha!"
L laughed "Gone riding, eh?"
lt WASH t necessary that Sam should know
what a hurricane his words had raised within
me; but If man wants to appear uncOn-
cerred when he Is dstrauglt with sudden
terror. he never should essay laugh Mine
echoed in my ears like the CHASTITY chuckle of a
mailman
Then turned on my heel and went back to
the house, to the bedroom. | began turning
over the articles there. the blood beginning to
boil in my veins. transacted the bureau draw
ers; tossed the bedclOthes ON the floor knocked
over the wash-pitcher. put my elbow through
the looklng-glass; Heaven knows what was
looking fora note. perhaps. to tell me why she
had stolen out of bed and gone away with Dick
knowles, what plot they had been Matching the
night before what misery had come to her and to
me. Great HeaVeni had |. then been frettinr over
the loss or the gain of piece of land, or the
easiest way to the heart of friend when all
neid precious on earth was perhaps lost to me
forever. and the once friendly heart was rotten
TO the core! | remembered all-everything-
her white face with the red stains upon her
cheeks, the wild sleepless eyes, the little hand
she had held out to me in vain Ii had taken
that little hand in mine-if had grasped her
close! Jane! janet janet l cried, sinking on
the bedside and burying my face in my hands
And all at once, as if in dream heard the
sweet voice OF my wife say, Yes, John, here
am"
l started amid all theruin had made about
me, and heard her again. John John" she
called, " where are your"
went out upon the landing and there she
stood, her bonnet hanging upon her shoulders.
her dress all covered with the red dust of the
road. And how strange is the heart of man!
moment since and | would have given all
could hope from earth or heaven to have my
arms about her once again; but now it seemed
as il some black shadow stood between US. She
held in her hand roll OF fooiscap bound about
with red tape and bit Of folded paper torn
from an old notebook.
these she extended to me.
Dick told me to give them to YOU" she said.
" He said you'd know what they meant"
opened the note and read these words, in
Dicks round school-boy hand;
The jig Is up! Your man has won! No re-
nigqingi"
The roll Of foolscap was tine deed Of Dicks
farm. | looked in bewlderment to my wife
again. She had sunk In heap on the old hide
bound trunk on the landing.
ut isn't fair" she sobbed '.to keep ANYTHING
when it's won in that way. You know, john, it
isn't far.'
Great Heaven! Was she then pleading Dick
Knowles cause with me?
"And yet" sobbed my wife, 81 do so hate to
take it back from her now. She's been SO per-
fecty dreadful and said such awful things!
Dick says she won't keep it; he says it's differ
ent with men, but women have no right to do
these things; but can't bear to take it back 1t
will always seem as If she gave it to me. And
you too, John, how will you ever forgive me?
You always thought SO much of it; it seemed to
you just as If it was yours always, but it isn't
yours any more. nor mine-its hers"
put my lands on her shoulders.
"Jane," said, solemnly. twill you try to tell
we what you are talking abOut?
"Oh, you poor dear" no whispered s'of
course you can't understand it. How can YOU
ever believe I'd do such a thing?"
Jane" cried, shaking her shoulders to and
fro, ''wilI you please tell me what you have
done?"
why hare told you, John Dick says it
won't amount to anything
'Jane, if you mention Dicks name again I'll
throw you out of the window! What hace you