The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-05-08

best, after ALL Come this evening
early, and we will make arrangements.
Teddy has gone away. Nobody at
home but l.. and l. Yours only.o K.n
Thompson was heard coming down
stairs. His wife hastily slipped the
note under the letters and disappeared
by another door, He put the papers in
| his pocket and wentaway. ae
Then Mrs. Thompson went up stairs
to dress the baby. Her face was rosy
red and her eyes shone with an ,lll-
natural brilliancy. She peremptorily
dismissed the maid, boxed the poodle's
ears tor'atfectionately licking her hand,
and proceeded to soap, and soap, and
sponge the infant heir Of the house Of
Thompson with an energy which con-
siderably astonished that young gentle.
] man.
And as she performed this interest
ing maternal'duty, she gave expression
| to her secret emotions in brief and en-
| phatic sentences: ''" ;S
$50 that it was which took him out
Oh Tuesday eyeningl Went to that
ball, when he told me he was going to
his club supper. Oh, yes! and expected
to go to the theater last night--only
something prevented, and he stayed at
home. Looking out for him all the
evening, was she2 The wretch! Romeo
and Juliet, indeedl A pretty Romeo,
forty years old, getting bald, and the
father Of a familyl And he sends her
lilies. Wonder how much they cost?
That's his pressing necessity for money
just at this time. Keeps another
woman in expensive bouquets, and re-
fuses his wife necessary clothing. And
he's to see her this eveningl Oh. yes,
indeed. BE quiet, you little tormentP'
this to the baby. "Wants him to
come early, Well, he will no doubt,
and so will I. iii follow him, and
find out who she is, and I'll expose her,
! if live. Only he mustn't suspect.
OBJ. the deceitful, false, ungrateful-
Ooh, JohnI''
Here she broke down, and hugging
the baby close to her bosom, burst into
All agony Of tears and sobbing. la
When Thompson came home that
evening he found his wife, nicely dress
ed and smiling, in the parlor He
thought, after awhile, that there was
something unusual about her. ,She
looked nervous and excited, and rocked
her chair very fast as she knitted the
baby's carriage-blanket, r dropping a
stitch now and then. F.saEt 9af'f2Em Z !"
''What's the matter, Maggie? Aren't
you well2" he inquired, standing he.
fore the fire, and looking down: at her.,
"Oh, perfectly welll'' she re.
Piled, with toss OF her head, and drop
ping two stitches. g,',sI ri s$S,,EI
Thompson sat down and unfolded his
evening paper. Then his wife looked
up with o smile. ltg -
Going to the theater tonight"
"No; there's nothing much worth
seeing, and you know / don't generally
care about It,
'Don't you, indeed? Thought you
liked Romeo and Juliet.'
!, "'They had that last night. Hamlet
tonight, believe" said Thompson,
glancing at his paper. "Would you
like to go?'
81 go2 No, indeed'' with another
toss, and dropping three more stitches.
Thompson began to read thereport
of the Queen Of England's speech to the
Parliament. Mrs. Thompson's speech
broke in upon it,: ~
.~Was it pleasantat the club" (deep,
sarcastic emphasis on aclub'O "Tuesday
night?"
speeches.
ooh, no doubt! Some very agreeable
speeches. lie, hel And it, was cool
and pleasant on the balcony2" g
"What Dalcony?"
He was looking at. her with eyes a
little WIDER than usual; and she thought
she had him now. lie might pretend
ignorance and innocence, but he could
not deceive her again. No indeed
"What's the price or lilies2" she in
quired, fixing her eyes upon him as
though they had been u pair Of skewers
to pierce his conscience through and
through.
'Liliesp really don't know"
"Oh, the consummate hypocrtcl the
cold blooded deI >Ger,'' she thought.
But she only remarked, sarcastically:
''lcc cream is good.'
Thompson turned a little pale as he
looked at her. She perceived this, and
gave triumphant, hysterical gIggle.
''Maggic, my dear" said Mr.. Thomp-.
son, gently laying aside his paper, and
speaking in tluttering voice.
ooh, yesl Pm your dear, am I?
'Yours only,' Of course. He, heI Oh,
my He, he, hel'
Thompson was white now. He sat
for q moment looking intently at his
wife, then started up. and seized his hat
and gloves.
"Whcre are you going?'' inquired
Mrs. Thompson, with sudden forced
calmness, while her eyes glistened ON
inously. n III
"Only-ah--only to step out on
little business matter" he replied.
Then he slipped into the nursery,
where the maid was.
"Mary," he said, breathlessly, ''go
down stairs and, stay with your ms
tress. Don't leave her for an instant
until my return. If possible, get her
TO bed. She's i'll, and Pm going for
DOCTOR"
Mary obeycd. She found her mis-
trcss in the pantry, frantically attiring
herself in an ulster and q poke bonnet