Daily Republican., 1884-05-17
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
BY BERTHA BEItTON.

One of the c0zi.st Of sitting-rooms, with
a cheerful anthracite fire in tho pretty
stove, a ruddy glow Ot chairs and sofa
in coverings of crimson terry. a carpet
with the same warm tint, Windows
draped IN harmony with the other fur-
and bright pictures on the
wall. Such WAS the home of Mrs. Ei-
sington, and by the center-table, with
student lamp shedding its soft light
upon the choice books and animals, saI
the little lady, busily crocheting a tiny
sock.
Baby had gone for brief interval to
the Land of Nod" and his sweet, low.
breathing, and the ticking of the SINAI
Swiss clock on the mantel, alone broke
the stiffness. -,
Outside, the ground was covered with
snow q keen air and clear sky, WIN
stars sparkling like diamonds. rendered.
the night one to make Mrs. Elsington'
cozy room doubly inviting; and she
drew little nearer the fire and glanced
omplacentIy about the apartment
with a look that told how four square
walls bounded the horizon OF her hap
piness. Nothing seemed lacking "
com plete her bliss. Three years mar
ried, and as Louis Elsington's vile, she
deem cd herself blessed beyond the com.
mon lot Of mortals.
Their union had been one OF pure
affection, and though croaksrs had pre-
dictsd q change, as time went on moth
ing Of the kind transpired, and they
we're still pair of married lovers.
But Eden would not have been Eden
without an Eve; nor would Eve have
been woman without curiosity; ano
Amy ElsingtOn was in that respect as
true an Eve AZ could well be found.
She hated a mystery, and seldom failed
to solve any that crossed her way.
Her evening III ust be spent alone, Tor
Louis belonged to some secret order and
it was their night for meeting. 1t an.
noyed his little wife but there seemed
no help for It. He had become "a mem
Der of the lodge long before he met
pretty Amy Lynne, and telling her OF
the good done by the hidden working
of the order, he convinced, or silenced
her, so that she rarely opposru his
going; though all tho same, she wished
he would stay at home.
She worked awhile longer on the
miniature sock; baby stillslept sweetly
in his crib, then she remembered that
Louis had asked her to sew button on
his coat, and to take a stitch in pocket
that was ripped.
She went for the garment, and sal
down with her work basket beside her
to make the tritiing repairs, atthe same
time examining the pockets.
She found that they all needed mend
ing and as she turnet them inside out,
she deposited their contents upon The
table.
When the mending WAS done, she
replaced the various ARTICLES.
There were several letters, all bat one
in business wrappers; that, white'
thick envelope, was snperscrlpeu III
clear, delicate, feminine hand, but moi
at all familiar in its penmahship, an"
she held it up and tnrncd IT over iol
ii We minutes before her curiosity got the
better of her nice sense OF honor, b'l'
curiosity triumphed, and if Louis was
corresponding with some lady, 1t wa'
surely time TO Investigate; mus sht
reasoned, and with II very decided com
preston of her lips, an onilnnns sparkle
10 ner blue eyes, she opened the my
sterious envelope, to find photograph
of sweet, womanly face, with DARK
expressive eyes looking up muteiy u
her own.
Not a word of explanation; the care
was all the envelope contained, and OF
the margin below the picture was tht
single word, Edith" the name, NJ
DOUBT, belonging to the pictured face
A fairer face than her own; younger
too!
What right had her husband to the
picture of another woman?
Distrust had entered the domestic
Eden, and the wife, IN hour before 81
happy, was proportionally miserable.
At last she replaced the picture II
her husbands pocket, and carried th'
coat TO their room.
Then she returned to the sitting'rooln
and leaning back wearily in her chair
she awaited her husbands return.
All. how wretched she felt. Louis
WAS keeping secret from her, and sht
had fancied herself 80 blessed IN being
his wife.
She scarcely knew how the time pas
sed till tho clock struck eleven, anu ne
husband = step was heard.
He came in rubbing his hands brlsk
"A bitter cold night" he sail, az h
at epped behind Amy's chair, and pu
h Ia rms about her caressingIy.
He hoped she had not been lonely
and wondered how she had spent he
evening.
How, ind eed? But she made som
trivial reply, and Louis Elsington littl
knew of the distrust that had crept INT
his wife's heart during mis- absence.
Winter passed away, and gentl
spring brought warm days and southern
zepbyrs, b rds and flowers; all that Ea'
hitherto brought to Amy the most III
tense pleasure, now seemed only TO an'
to her misery j.,
Husband, and child, and home, he
! precious treasures, all poweriess to ex
orcise the demon Of jealousy that ha'
ldriyen psace from her breast.
| Louis felt the change. An inden
nable shadow had fallen upon the house
hold. -,
There were no oaresses. Amy dl'
not meet him at the door as she ha'
beon wont to do, and day after da'
they drifted apart,
Ons day Amy Elsington was about T.
lenter her husbands office IL WAS
thing she rarely did in those days, hu
baby was III, and she wished HIN u
send the doctor.
She was almost at the door, when
a,iu. ont nf Air ElsipKtOE'