Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-06-17

va ehiuS SOiuS VII. vi, Ou.
If had been more than twenty, and
in less than perfect health. should have
had an attack of heart disease, or a fit
of some sort. AS it was my blood boil
ed. / cried aloud with rage and humilia-
ton, like baby; not at all as stage
heroines weep.
Then remembered Susan's big ewes
and long tongue. aud went to hide my
self in my room.
"What shall do? What shall ! do?"
kept saying to myself under the sheet.
''What shall / do?''
AT last cried myself to sleep. Then
struggled up perspiring in my warm
clothes, looked at myself in the glass,
said it was dreadful dream, and saw
the pink envelope on the dressing table,
and screamed: "Oh! it is too true! too
true!''
Then | put the thing back into the
dressing-gown pocket, put my hair up,
and decided to discover the truth. If
Pedro did not go out alone that evening
would never think of the matter again.
There were dreadful women in the
world. If he received such notes, and
made no response, all the surer / of his
love, and some day lwould put my arms
about his neck and say:
my dear, read that note, and MOTH
ing could ever make me doubt you now
-nothing!''
And by-and-by quieted down and
looked more like myself, and at lunch
time don't think Susy noticed much.
Still. she did stare.
Pedro came home little late and in
great hurry for dinner He had put
his dressing-gown on, and stretched
himself in an armchair near the CRATE
afterwards, and felt sure that he would
stay at home. just began to feel hap
Ply again. when suddenly he plunged
his hand into his pocket, drew his eye
brows down, and jumped up.
watched him closely. He hung his
dressing-gown up, took down his coat,
put on his hat, said 81 won't be gone an
hour" and hurried out of the house.
The moment he had gone / rushed to
the dressing-gown. He had taken the
note.
It was as had not dared to fear.
then; but would not quail. l had a
large cloak Derby-and a big blue
veil at hand. Hurrying them on, fol-
lowed Pedro, and knowing the way to
- street, caught sight of him at last.
/ felt as if should die, but my reso-
luton to see what happened did not
fail.
He stopped at 120, and rang the bell
The door opened and he went in. l
waited outside. l heard music. Now
and then the door opened, and some
people came out. There seemed to be
party there. When any one emerged l
walked a little way and then turned
back.
At last-oh, how long it seemed!-my
Pedro came out, with woman on his
arm. Her figure was trim, and she
walked well. She wore wraps, and what
IS called ''fascinator"-a sort OF eve
ming hood-on her head. / followed,
gaining on them by degrees.
This is like old times, Pedro" /
heard her sav.
did not Lear his answer. She quite
nestled up to him; the tones of her voice
were soft and familiar, and had heard
that voice before. ! was following them
blindly, taking no notice of the street,
when suddenly they stopped before
house. knew it; its very ratings were
familiar. began to understand. Then
l heard every word
.'Got latch-key?" asked Pedro.
mo; but Maggie is coming" said
she. "Will you come in?"
He went in. did not mind; l was
crying with mingled shame and relief.
This house belonged to my husbands
mother. The lady was his mother. who
was only seventeen years older than
he was himself was an idiot and 1
ought to have remembered that her
cousin Jane lived at No. 100 - street.
She had asked him to be her escort
that was all. As for me- was an idiot
"a complete idiot-who ought to be
shut up out of harms way.
My only hope now was to hurry home
and hide my folly from everybody.
Man proposcs--so does woman.
Things are disposed by heaven. ms we
have all heard.
l had hurried on street or two, when
some one said in my ear:
"Where are you going my dearp"
turned and saw young man, and
also noticed the smell of liquor.
"How dare you speak to me?" l
cried.
'.Darer' said he. ..Oh, I'm no cow
ard Never afraid of a gal in my life.
Take my arm"
go away" said |.
.Oh. pshawr' said he you don't
want me TO go!'
hurried on; he kept at my side. He
said don't know what; but do know
that at last he kissed me.
uttered a yell that would have done
credit to an Indian on the war-path and
the next instant the insolent man
sprawled in the gutter, and a voice
cried:
''Let the young woman alonei-a girl
that shrieks as you do seems to be in
earnest the voice added Shall see
you safe cut of this fellows reach? Lon
don is no place for girls to run about
alone at midnight. Good heavensi it's
Philidar'
1t was Pedro's voice. He stood there
looking at me strangely white
The man staggered to his feet and
stumbled away.
Take my arm said Pedro in tone
/ had never heard before.
We walked on together in silence for
a long while; then
"Philida, what does this mean?n ask
ed Pedro.
"You must never ask me-" said /.
"Musn't I?n said he. Indeed,
must; though. of course. l know it is all
right But how came you where l found
you2"
II never mean to tell you," said /.
II am too much ashamed"
"But think must know" said he.
I'm your husband. i left you beside