St. Paul daily globe., 1885-03-13
"THAT WOMAN"

tain house.
"At any rate" replied Winona, ''you
might at least designate her by her proper
title-'that woman is scarcely term for
gentleman to use in speaking of lady"
Bertha Roland, the woman of whom they
were speaking, was a widow eight and
twenty years of age. Her hair was. deep
gold, which suggested hours of patience
spent under the dyer's hands. Her COM
plexion was beautfed by the best OF cos
metics, but even without these artificial ad-
ditons she would have been handsome
woman. Winona was just the opposite
dark, petite, and only pretty.
'sWell, then," said her husband, "Mrs.
Roland is not fit companion for my wife,
and want your friendship with her to come
to an end at once"
''Then you will want in vain," replied the
wife. II am not going to insult her just on
account of your silly prejudice, which is
caused by your begrudging me the little
pleasure get in her society,"
''You are wrong, Winona, you are at lib
erty to enjoy yourself as much as you please,
but not by putting yourself under oblga-
uons TO THAT woman" Il
'There you are, that woman again. Mrs.
Roland, my dear husband, considers me
under no obligation because I ride out with
her on the back of one of her horses or play
lawn tennis on her premises. She is my con-
fidential friend, and am not going to be
ungrateful."
Very well," Frank sadly said, ''do as
you please, Winoua, 1 shall say no more,
no matter how much 1 feel that Mrs. Roland
is not fit associate for a respectable wo-
man. :" Then he walked away.
Winona was too angry to speak. This was
their first quarrel and she felt it keenly.
They had jdst been married six months, and
until summer had brought rhem to the Cats
kills all had been peace and happiness.
No more was said in regard TO Mrs. Roland
until after supper, when Winona said:
Crank, as you have promised to play
cards with Mr.. Jackson, l think will just
run over to Mrs Roland's; promised her |
would"
''That woman again." exclaimed Frank;
but he said no more and Winona went.
Her husband watched her enter the gate of
the magnificent villa, and then turned away
with sigh. Mr. jackson was beside him.
''You don't seem to like Mrs. Rpland,"
said he.
Il do not dislike her," returned Frank,
''but We know nothing about her or her an
tecedents. Ny wife is infatuated with her,
and all | say will not keep her from that
house,
81 agree with you; come take turn in the
garden and will tell you the best cure in the
world Tor your wife's infatuation."
In the meantime Winona fastened to her
friends house and found it alive with mirth
aud music. Mrs. Rpand's face beamed
with smiles as she welcomed Winona, aud
until 10 o'clock the merriment was uh-
bounded; then, to Winoua's utter surprise
and displeasure, her husband was ushered
into the parlor.
He spoke to the hostess, politely but
coldly, and received her Introduction to the
other guests in like manner.
'Then he advanced to his wife, saying:
"Wlnona, l have come to escort you home
as soon as You are ready to go. You need
not be in any particular hurry, though"
OWiuona was pleased with his words, and
followed her own inclination as to hasten
ing her departure.
Music and wine followed, and while Win
ona played on the grand piano her husband
talked to mrs. Roland.
On the way home he said to Winona:
a
her to be-"
The young wife's face beamed with smiles.
''Oh, Frankl" she cried, ~ knew you would
come to my way Of thinking yet. When you
know her more you will like her better"
This was not his last visit at Mrs Roland's
many more followed, and soon the young
man could not speak highly enough Of her.
Winona was overjoyed. At last Frank was
coming to his senses and learning how to
appreciate her friend. One evening she sat
sewing on the hotel veranda when Mr. jack
son approached, and seating himself beside
her, asked:
"Have you ever read The Treachery of
Laurai"
no" she replied.
81 have it here" ne continued ''If you
would like to read 1t you NAV. 1t is a re-
markably well written story. 1t deals with
subject have often thought Of. A woman
pretends TO be another woman's friend only
to take from her her husbands affection. Do
you not think such treachery is unpardon-
able!n
~ do" cried Winona, "but but-the hus-
band is often to blame" Then her face
flushed and tears filled her eyes. "Why did
you speak of this to me! You are only hint
ing at my husband and Mrs. Roland. He is
infatuated with her Oh, | wish | had never
met that womani''
Il fear, Mrs. Bennett" said Mr. Jackson,
THAT your husband is not to blame / my
self do not think Mrs Roland entirely ig-
nores his attentions; at least let me advise
you to watch him little more closely.''
That evening Mrs. Roland gave one of
her charming garden fetes and the prettest
woman present was voted to be Mrs. Bennett.
Mr xnac L
asked her to walk about the grounds. Soon
the dazzling lights of the house were left be-
hind, and they stood in an obscure sum
mer-house.
why have you brought me here, Mr..
Jackson ~ asked Winona, when she saw
they were alone.
Hush" he said, ''sOme one is coming"
Il shall not remain here -" but her pro-
test was cut short by the entrance of her
husband and Bertha Roland. Being in the
shadow they did not observe her and Mr.
jackson.
''What pity" Bertha was saying. 'sWhat
pity you tied yourself down to that doll
baby"
Il AN very proud OF my wife, = he said.
"Aud you love her, too, supposc,"
''Wby should uot,''
THAT is evadiuE mvquestion. You have
led me to suppose your heart was wholly
mine"
But have no money, my dear Bertha,
and what good would / be to youf'
You are unkiud; YOU are cruel, when
you know how much l love you. have
wealth sufficient for two; what should l care
for your mOueyr'
II have heard euough,' cried Winona,
springiug from the darkness. Frank. our
paths will lie in opposits directions in the
future. Mr. Jackson. take me home
''Yes, Mrs. Bennett" said that gentleman.
''after have informed you that YOUR hus-
baud is perfectly innocent aud this has been