The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-07-17
A NEEDLESS TORTURE,

DARLING PAUL:-Your note safely re-
ceiyed. will meet you. at the upper city
park this afternoon at three. Be prompt,
own T..
Mr.. Clarence Montgomery stood like
one suddenly petrified, as he read these
words slowly, over and over, once,
twice, thrice; then he turned away
with q groan of despair.
"Great Heaven!' he murmered brok-
emily; "it does not seem possible! She,
my wife, upon whose purity and inno-
cence would have staked my future
existence. FalseP No; / cannot be-
lieve it. Yet this note is in her hand
writing. / have found it upon her
writing-desk. What else can believe
but that it was written to her by some
manp Paulp / wonder who he can
bep Great Heaven! what fool have
been to be deceived by her apparent
guilelessness. know what viii do, I"
he added sharply, crushing the little
note into his pocket with vehement
emphasis as he spoke: II will be at the
upper city at three, and will face her
with her perfidy. But, oh. Ethel
Ethel! my wife! it is worse than death
itself to doubt her!''
He was turning away from the hand
some apartment, which was fitted up as
a study, when light football paused at
the door, and Ethel Montgomery en-
tered the room.
She was the impersonation of in
nocence. No deceit lurked in her soft
blue eyes, and there was something
child-like and contiding in the sweet
youthful lace.
She came to his side, and her soft
white arms went around his neck,
while her blue eyes met his with low
ing gaze.
He started in surprise.
Could this be guilt Yet there, in
her own handwriting, was the promise
to meet Paul at three. The words
of the letter seemed to burn his heart
as they lay against it.
A sudden impulse prompted him,
and he stopped and kissed the sweet
upturned face.
ETHEL" he said, evil you drive
with me this afternoonp The weather
is so perfect will try to get away
from business, and will call for you at
three"
A blush, red as rose, flushed over
the sweet young face; the blue eyes
dropped under his gaze, and the hand
that lay in his grew cold, and trembled
slightly.
"Thank you, dearest" she returned
slowly. 'you are very kind; but have
promised Aunt Mary to 60 with her
this afternoon to do some shopping.
You know the old lady has not been
long in New Orleans, and she depends
upon mo to pilot her about the streets
of our great and wicked city. l do
not like to disappoint you, Clarence
dear, but / can hardly break the en-
gagement made with Aunt Mary yester-
day"
He dropped her hand without word
and turned away.
For the first time since their mar
riage, one year ago, he left his wife
without the customary goodbye kiss.
All day the thought of that meeting
haunted him. 1t stood between him
self and the long rows of figures be-
fore him.
He was O thriving business man, and
had much to engross his attention; but
to-day the ghost that haunted him per-
sistently refused to DO laid. He felt
sick and miserable.
About two o'clock, unable to endure
this sickening suspense any longer, he
went home on the ostensible errand of
finding mislaid paper. He found his
wife dressed to 60 out, and never since
he had known her had she looked so
lovely in her handsome walking suit
of blue silk and plush, with broad
brimmed plumed hat to match.
She was surprised at her husbands
unexpected appearance, and he fancied
startled also. But she recovered her
composure soon.
Clarence" she said, while he was
tumbling heap of documents into
inextricable confusion in the little
study, "did you-did you find note of
mine this morningp have mislaid
one; it is not very important, still l
would like to find it."
He set his teeth into his under-lip to
crush back the execration that trembled
for expression, and his face was very
pale as he turned and confronted her.
Had he delivered that tell-tale letter
then and there into his wife's posses
sion, he might have saved himself
much after suffering and trouble. But
we are all wise when 1t is too late.
al know nothing Of your correspon-
dence, Ethel" he answered q little
sharply.
She came to his side to soothe his ir-
ritability with q loving kiss.
"Forgive me, darling" she cried,
'sfor annoying you with trifes when
YOU are tired. Kiss me, Clarence,
won't your Oh, great Heaven, what
have / donel Have offended you.