Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
JESSIE'S TEST.

Miss Jerusha Jenkinson folded her naE
kin with slow, precise carefulness, anc
then followed her petty little hostes,
from the dining room back to the parlor
where a soft astral lamp glowed like {
silver moon, and the illuminated stove
made red shadows on the brown red easy
chair in which Miss JenkinsOn esconceC
herself.
az really don't know what to do aboU
If. Miss Jerusha. If [ once though Rich
was guilty of such indiscretiors as yoU
declare he is, do believe I should
die!"
Jessie Wintringham winked away sus
picious brightness from her pretty browH
Iashes, and looked eagerly at her guests
sarcastic cOuntenance.
81 dare say there are great many PEG
pie who would say was very OfiaiOusi
my dear, because tell you what l think
OF that good looking husband of yours.
But / feel I have your interest at heart:
and if no one else has tie courage and
charity to point out to young wife OF
hale year the goings on of her husband
why, nv dear Mrs. Wintringham, I'll
tell, stand by you and take your part"
Her solemn words made little shivers
Of vague terror thrill all over Jessie.
az dare say you are very kind indeed,
Miss Jerusha, only l can't believe that
Rich is such a firt as you say-alWays
paying such exclusive attention to ladies
when he is away from home"
'You must think just what you please,
my dear. Only, suppose if you were
to see for yourself, you would believe
the evidence of your own eyes"
iCb tinsbpA CbpeES h6fraV.
ed the painful interest she felt.
E'Of course, if l were to sec"
Miss Jerusha arose iumphantly.
''Then all you will have to do is to take
my advice, and the next time Mr.
Nottingham has such very important
business to New York do you go by the
same train, with your waterproof and a
thick veil to disguise you. l must go now
think, my dear. I'll have to stop al
poor Mrs. Delacorn's, and hear if she has
heard from that runaway daughter OF
hers. Thanks for the early cup of tea
you made so nicely-and don't forge
what told you, Mrs. Wintringham.
And the abominable old gossip went
her way leaving the arrows of the distrust
she had sOwn ranking painfully in poor
loving, Jealous Jessie's heart.
She perfectly adored her handsome
husband; and as always such passionate at
lection is accompanied by jealousy, this
otherwise sensible little woman found ii
no difficult matter TO entertain the doubts
her guest expressed.
Ricn was so handsome, so stylish, so
gallant-why should not ladies enjoy his
attentions? And sitting by the coy fire,
waiting until her nusbadd should come
in for his dinner, Jessie almost decided to
play the spy upon him at the earliest
moment.
Then when she heard his latch-key in
the door, and his quick, firm tread in the
hall, and saw his handsome cheerful
face as he took her cheeks in his
hands to kiss her, she felt ashamed and
confused.
81 am afraid shall have to hurry you
dear" he said linking her arm through
his, and leading the way to the dining
room, where the bright light made a
genial glow on silver, cry stal, ard snow
white china.
Hurry me Rich, how?
81 have to take the seven-thirty train,
very unexpectedly, for the city, on i'm
portant business that cannot be delayed.
/ shall be home tomorrow night, ex-
pect. Jessie will you have another piece
of the black meat?'
Mrs. Nottingham toyed with her
chicken, her appetite entirely destroyed
by the news Rich announced.
son important business" Yes, that
was what Miss Jenkinson had said. And
the night train, tool 1t flashed holly
across Jessie's mind that her husband was
going down TO the theatre, and if what
Miss Jerusha had said was true-not
alone!
That second decided her; and as Mr..
Wintringham arose from the dining ia
BILE, he little knew the thoughts that
were thronging in his pretty little wife's
head.
fDon't be lonesome, darling, will you?
Or shall stop and tell Florrie to come up
tonight"
Jessie laug hed-a little forcedly.
"You over anxious fellow! What do ]
want of sister Florrie! I shall not be
lonely at ALL"
"Brave little woman; kiss me good
night, then dearw
He was so kind and thoughtful; and
Jessie's fond foolish heart almost misgaYe
her as she watched him off.
ut Is downright wicked TO distFust
him! but then it is just these elegant fas
cInating men who are so agreeable to
other women besides their wives-at least
Miss Jeru6Aa says so, and she's old enough
to know"
She watched the ivory hands of the
cuckoo clock fastening toward seven
thirty.
SWELL shall do it-this once, any
how"
And she went up to her room, with
sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks.
rs this seat engaged, sir?"
1t was low, sweet voice that addressed
Mr. Richmond WintrIngham, as the seven
thirty train steamed on after calling at
the last station before reaching the Jer
sey City terminus.
Mr.. Wintringham arose courteously,
glanced at the small, graceful figure in
navy blue waterproof ano double veil.
stake the seat by the window, madam
She gIided in, and Mr.. Wintringham
sat down beside her, all unconscious or
the sidelong glance from pair of eager
eyes under the veil.
'sHow handsome he is, and he hasn't
the least idea who | ami
For of course it was Jessie who had
taken he train at the same station with
Rich, but had waited until the last station
had been reached before she changed her