Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-05-26
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BfefoDMlls
BY CHARLES ]. BELLAMY.
copyrighted by the Author, and published
by arrangement with him
CHAPTER XXXvI.
rnO FnNn IA HUSBAND.

had set himself. But the cool breeze seemed
to refresh him marvelously, and in another
moment he despised the green hollow under
the elm that had looked so inviting, and
hurried up toward Philip Bretons house.
He shook his head wisely as he walked It
took a pretty smart man to get ahead or
John Giddings, drunk or sober. The young
mill owner wasn't nearly as frightened as
usual Something was in the wind. He
ought to have watched him closer lately, but
Giddings concluded he was in good time yet
with Breton at one end OF the village, his
wife at the other, and himself, the acute
lawyer, between them.
The lawyer had walked as far as Silas
Ellingsworths house, when he caught sight
of pair of horses on a fast tro5, drawing
close coupe. Elegant pairs and chariots OF
that description were not so common IN
Bretonville as to make it doubtful who might
own this one, and besides it must have been
an occasion Of peculiar necessity that called
for such unaristocratic haste. Giddings was
perfectly delighted with his own sagacity.
He knew human natslre pretty well. When
a man gets another in an unpleasant situa-
ton, he must count on the unfortunate
struggling to escape If it happens to be
woman. he need not be so watchful-women
are all fatalists But it takes pretty smart
man to get ahead of John Giddings.
whoa, whoa, | say The lawyer had
thrown himself in front of the excited horses,
and the driver had to pull up to keep from
running ever him. "Whoa, / say
Then he stepped to the door of the carriage
and turning the knob threw it wide open.
The moonlight revealed a woman surrounded
with carpet bags and shawls. A thick brown
veil concealed her features, but Mr. Giddings
took off his hat to her.
Mrs. Breton believe"
''Why yes,n she did not recognize him,
'tbut am in a hurry" she said nervously
drawing back
GgTNx.;s[o -, IJo,,,.x-
''No, you don't,n insisted Giddings, mount
ing the steps. II guess you don't know me-"
His liquor began. to overcome him again,
names Giddings amt goin' far, are youI'
ITO Europe" she answered quickly, recog-
nizing him at last 81 have no further occa-
sion for your services, | have paid you,
I haven't Ig'
''Not s'much as your second husbands paid
( me since, he gurgled. ''If you're goin' SO
far, guess I'll go to, like your family, Miss
Breton
''Drive on, command you, she screamed,
and the horses started. Giddings lurched
forward, and Bertha put out her white hands
and tried to push him back. He clutched,
with an oath, at something to hold to, but
she loosened her India shawl and the man
carried it with him into the ditch. But he
leaped to his feet. 's
Hold stop! police policeln but Giddings
had no sooner spoken than the village police
( man laid his hand on his arm.
here am. Sir, WnaGIl you navel!
"Stop that carriage; arrest that woman,
she is a criminal" Giddings had shaken off
the policeman's grasp and started to run after
the carriage.
''You must be very drunk, +" said the other,
overtaking him, "that is Mr.. Breton's wife"
81 know that screamed the lawyer, land
tell you to stop her, let me go.n
"More likely you're the criminal. Halo,
what you doing with that Indy shawl Guess
I'll have to lock you up. Come along quiet,
nown
But Giddings was perfectly frantic. He
fought with his feet and hands, and with his
teeth, kicking, tearing and biting like wild
beast.
Don't let her escape, 1 say, never mind
me, I'll give you thousand dollars. III tear
your heart out, you villain. Stop her, stop
herw The officer grew angry at last, and
drew his billet but still the fellow struggled
and screamed like a wild creature, till blow
after blow paralyzed his arms and finally
stretched him unconscious and bleeding on
the ground
"Iremens," growled the policeman, as he
lifted him to his feet soon after, and led him
along, subdued at last.
But a woman had stood in her window as
the carriage had rolled by, and she had rec
ognized the equipage, too. A sudden change
came over her face.
''Where are you going, Jennie!" Her hus-
band looked up calmly from his paper.
"Out minute" she hardly looked at him,
''that is ALP
"But it is almost o'clock, my dear, what
can you want outp
Her breath came fast, and two bright red
spots burned in her cheeks. Mr.. Ellingsworth
hae never seen her so pretty. He must keep
her SO a few moments. He stepped TO the
door and turned the key, then he put it in his
pocket and threw himself back ON his chair
again.
She faced him with flashing eyes.
Chow dare you--am your slave9 want
to go out"
Her husband settled down cozily in his
seat, and smiled his old brilliant smile She
had never seen him laugh any more than the
rest of his acquaintance. Tie might, per-
haps, have laughed before an intimate, but
men like Silas Ellingsworth have no init
mates.
elbow lovely you are when you are angry.
see l have made mistake in being so ami
able with you. What treats | have lost.
Why, you are better than an actress, my
dear. Such coloring as yours does not hurt
the complexion
Precious time was flying: the carriage had
rolled away out of sight, her victim had out
witted her-her hate would be baked for
ever, and all for her husbands foolish
caprice. She stamped her foot at him. Il
must 60" There was yet time to rouse the
villagers, and fetch back the fugitives from
Justice. Oh, what devil of stupidity had
posSesseT.. ner wise husband tonight Give
me the key She had come close to him, but
she did not scream when she was angry, her
voice grew low and almost hoarse, cor will
leave you forever
He had laid aside his paper now, with quite
a serious air, and Jane felt vaguely fright
ened: she had never seen him sober with her
Could he do any more than others when they
are angryg She did not reason about it; she
only began to be afraid of her own words
His was the only nature in the world could
have tanned her so completely.
Every moment Philip Breton's carriage
was bearing the woman Jane hated to safety
and peace that her false heart had never de
served But there were deeter horses in Bre-
tonville than his they could be pursued; they
GUeat o oDominy S' than I ever wond Ia
moro terrible for Bertha even than if the
blow had come while she sat serene in her
own home. To be overtaken in flight would