Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-09-11

the shooting, but really to keep an
eye on Joseph.
One day, while the competition was
going on, Bessie thought she would
give her husband a little surprise
She had arranged to 60 that day to
| Wimbledon, if the weather proved
fine. Joseph was to meet her at the
station, and, after seeing some of the
matches, she was to have dinner in his
tent with some fellow-members of his
corps with whom he was sharing it.
1t occurred, therefore, to Bessie that
it would be a delightful surprise if
she went down by an earlier tram.
She knew Joseph was IL his tent all
the morning, for it was then he at
tended to his business correspondence
and she also knew where his tent was,
as she had been at the camp the day
before. It amused her to imagine
his establishment to see her walk in at
moment when he thought her miles
away As she had, however. some
idea that her mother would object to
the scheme, she did not tell her of her
design, but, under the excuse Of hav-
| ing something to do in town before
starting for the camp, she left home
about two hours earlier than was ar
ranged.
She arrived all right at Wimbledon,
and easily found her way from the
station to the Enclosure. Once there,
she was soon able to identify Joseph's
tent. She was hurrying up toward it
when it occurred to her that, as there
were other men besides her husband
in the tent, the surprise might not oe
so pleasant as she anticipated if she
went in unexpectedly. She had never
thought of this before. But she did
not like now to turn back, so the best
course she could think of was not to
go into the tent at first, but to rap on
the canvas, and bring someone out.
,, Then, if things were all right inside,
she would go in. Advancing with
that intention, she heard her nus
bands voice, and, with a womans
curiosity, paused before rapping, to
see if she could hear what he was talk
ing about. AS she did SO, his voice
was interrupted by another "a
woman's She started in amazement
and horror In moment all the sus-
picions which had SO long haunted
her, and which she had valnly tried
to dismiss, came rushing into her
mind. The past was now clear to her.
She could understand his passion for
volunteering, and his anxiety to spend
his time away from her roof What
a simpleton she had been! She miss
ed what the woman had said When
her husband replied she. heard him
clearly.
20, Kate, Kate" he laughingly
shouted, you're not bit improved!"
I'm not like your mustache, then,
joe" replied the woman, in gay,
chatting tone. How long and Zero
cious it has grown! Why, you're qaite
warlike looking"
''Upon my word, you're teasing the
life out of me, said Joseph II wish
you would get out of this"
That's a nice way Of treating me,
after I've run away from my husband
81 wish to goodness you'd run back
again. If you vex him as much as
you have me, I'm sure he must be g Lad
to get rid of you"
ooh, you're as gallant as ever, Joe
Here, old solemn face, give me that
gun. Don't be afraid; I'm not going
to shoot you, though you deserve it.
I'm only going to show you how you
looked when [ saw you this morn
ing"
And Bessie heard the woman march
ing up and down the tent in military
style Then there was the sound as
of Joseph rising, and of short strug-
gle, ending with a kiss She listened
to all in a state of Mortified astonish
ment. She felt inclined for moment
to go in and confront the guilty pair,
but her courage deserted her, and
while her husband and the woman
were still laughing and chatting she
turned and hurried off to the station.
When she reached it train was
about to start. She stepped into it,
and in a little over half an hour was
back again In her mothers house.
When she entered the room where
her mother was sitting, she was almost
in fainting condition. Mrs. Grim
noticed this at once.
Nv hat on earth is wrong with you,
CuIlog Sl1O CIlOu. LII dIdIuI LOU
look like a ghost"
''Oh, mamma, mamma, [ am ruin
edr' exclaimed the young wife, sob
bing bitterly.
What do you say? What have you
done? Where have you been? Tell
me at once, you silly!' screamed the
old lady. IN great excitement.
Sat Wimbledon, and oh, dear.
dear, my husband has deceived me-"
''Oh, is that all?" answered Mrs.
Grim, in a relieved tone. What has
he done my dear?"
Mamma, dear, ] can hardly t-tell
you (sob). | went ear-early, you,
know, intending to surprise him Sob.
and wh-when [ came to his te-tent, [
heard him talking to w-wo- woman
(sob, sob). And she w-was saying
she had run away from h-her h-hus-
band for him (sob). Oh, dear. dear,
what an unfortunate girl am!' Sob,
sob, sob.)
,sENbo Wbo4ss NJ