Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-05-07

and ghostly veil and wreath floated
from gas fixture; but paper, pens, and
ink were on q desk, and | saw that
even in this hurried moment she had
taken time to write n letter.
1t lay finished, but not folded, be-
side an unaddressed envelope, and L
tiptoed eagerly across the room, hop
| ing to read that she would settle that
little account as soon as possible, and
read this:
Indeed. sir you are right / shall suffer
| miserably through all my honeymoon, and
| 1t is your fault, not mine.
Il could hardly keep my tears back at the
| altar for the pain. My husband must not
know, but | shall be martyr until | get
back. On the very day of my return | shall
see you; but as for forgiying you-neverl
| Il relied on YOU so implicitly. How could
/ you? How could you?
Phoebe PALMER
/ glared about the room, looking
| wildly for the letter to which this was
a reply. saw wisp of pink paper
on the floor, and caught it up. The
patter of little boot-heels was ON the
floor of the hall. and | closed the door
behind me just in time.
Trembling with wrath-had / not
reason for it'll unfolded the paper.
1t was only a small piece of the note;
but read what it contained over and
over. 1t was this:
II did not think it would give you pain;
| but | can scarcely expect you to for i've me
| Tor breaking my engagement with you.
| am so sorry cannot see you before you go,
| but your husband"
There the fragment ended and left
- & ~.
congestion of the brain, to put myself
into traveling-suit and start on my
wedding journey with bride | beliey-
ed already false to me.
Yet what could dop Make a scene
before the wedding partyp Get into
the papers. perhaps?
NO" | said to myself sPll have
revenge, but | won't disgrace myself
publicly" put the fragment into my
pocket-book.
Jane had been the children's nursery
maid. | had promoted her to Phebe's
own waiting maid. and she was to 90
with us. There she was already, and |
thought of all the diabalical maids in
| French books as | looked at her.
We got into carriage and ratified
furiously away toward the station, for
we were late. Phoebe was in tears
Eat leaving home,' she said. / made
no attempt to console her. sat stiffly
on my seat, with hand on each knee,
James round little bullets of eyes star
ing hard at me, as though she saw some
thing was the matter
My heart burst, and my head ached;
| wonder | was not seized with apo
plexy, being of such full habit. We
got into the train at last, and Phoebe
looked at me in her dove-like way, as
stood beside her, looking Heaven only
knows how.
you mustn't be angry with me. It's
so hard to leave mamma she said
pleadingly. 81 won't cry any more. "
You are at liberty to cry as much
as you like, madame" | said. Il
should think that you would feel like
shedding many bitter tears
With this | strobe away into the
smoking-carriage.
All through that wretched bridal
journey never gave my wife a civil
word or kindly look.
When she called to me, Don't you
feel well, .Pelhamp' / replied: VERY;
you'll not be rich widow just yet, my
dear" And after that we did not
speak again.
So we reached the hotel at Paris, and
after | had engaged rooms | had an in
terview with Jane alone.
Young woman" l said sternly, 81
am going to give you a months wages
and discharge you. | will also pay
your passage home"
my goodness cried Jane Don't
missus want me? Is she so double
dealing as that?"
at is who don't want you,n said;
you've helped to deceive me-"
"About what?" asked Jane.
You gave your mistress letter to-
day." said l.
"Well, said Jane, ''do you think I'd
orter keep letter directed to MISUSE"
you prevaricate, said |.
If that's French for steal, don't"
said Jane.
You gave it to her slyly," said l.
"Well, she said / was not to let you
see it., said Jane.
81 know the contents of that letter."
said /.
''There now" said Jane, II told her
you'd find out. But you don't mind,
do your It's great deal commoner
than you d think, and she's only got
two. Some young ladies has whole
lot"
.Twor | gasped. Unhappy girl! l
only know of one
why, I've got four" said Jane,
'and I'd tell anybody"
Hardened young womanr' said /.
''But am no longer deceived that is
one comfort / will send that woman
back to her parents with YOU"
Jane stared at me.
81 think you're crazy, Mr.. Palmer"
she said. 80 much better-looking
and younger as she is than you, now.
And you've got whole upper set, /
believe. So there nowr' She stopped
and laughed. Il believe you're misled
somehow" she said. s'You don't
think that letter was from one of mis-
sus's old beauxP"
81 have read portion of the letter."
l said fiercely. Il have it here"
ooh" said Jane, 1--WE got the other
two bits in my pocket. l tucked them
out of your way in hurry. I'll show
you the whole together here"
She took from her pocket two pieces
of pink paper.
you'll feel better when you've
pieced that out" she said with a ma
licious grin. ''Old bachelors do beat
ALL"
sat down at a table with an empty
inkstand and water cooler upon it,
pieced the letter together, and read
this:
'MY DEAR Miss PEARL,-I was called
away to extract a tooth from the mouth of
gentleman too ill to leave his house. |
thought | should be back in time. | am
sorry the plate does not fit did not think
it would give you pain, but can hardly ex-
pect you to forgive me for breaking my en-
gagement with you. | am sorry that cam
not see you before you go, but your husband
can certainly find some good dentist that
will do the little that is necessary. Why
need you make two false teeth secret?
Everybody has them nowadays. re-
gretfusly, ''"
The epistle ended with the name of
the old family dentist.
You thought it was beaux, didn't
youP" asked Jane. ut only shows
what fools gentlemen is. Well, shall
pack up and 90? 'Twasn't my advice
not to tell you. | said: Tell and over
with it. They'll come out some day,
like enough at breakfast. =
Jane said II retain your services.
Here is little present And / hand
ed her sovereign. Don't mention
this to Mrs. Palmer
Then | went away to make peace