The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-07-04

she inquired.
1t was row Of pretty cottages with gar
dens before them, and 80 was on the end of
the row. A dressmaker's sign was on the
door, and an old lady was just setting some
pottcd flowers out to air; and when Belinda
inquired, from behind her black dotted vail ::
''Is there person here whose first name
is Amanda!' the old lady answered by call
ing out:
Here, Amanda-somebOdy wants you -
and young woman, with pin cushion
hooked to her belt obeyed the summons.
"Walk in" she said; and Mrs. John Meyer
entered parlor. you've come about a
dress, supposed"
"No," replied Belinda, who was not wo-
man of resources-''no; I've come about a
man."
"a mantilla?' inquired the young woman
mo; Chaplain man." replied Belinda.
''That is, l mean only a man, not a mantilla a"
IF it is a vest," said the young woman,
~ don't make those.''
ut is not vest" said Belinda: 81 wish
it was. Oh! the blow was so sudden!'
"You don't want me to make shroude'
asked the young woman, in an awful whis-
per; "because just couldn't
"Oh"' screamed Belinda, jumping from
her chair, 'what awful things you say!''
''Then nobody is dead:' asked the girl.
"Only me,' said Belinda. I'm dying"
IF you're not crazy wish you would ex-
plain" said the young woman.
On this Belinda put her hand into her
pocket, and drew forth the letter she had
found in her husbands new overcoat the
night before
"Did you write that:" she asked
The young girl looked at it, turned it over
turned it upside down, and then back again
and finally read it.
EYES," she said, when she had finished,
II wrote it and I've got my answer
"Who answered it:' asked Belinda.
1.-The gentleman l wrote to-Mr. John
Meyer" replied Amanda.
20, you wretch ~ cried Belinda. .~.,
80, you dreadful woman!" gasped
Amanda; ito call me wretch
"How dare you write to him?s asked
Belinda.
"Why, you awful creature, to ask how
dare write to the man am engaged to be
married to!' shrieked Amanda. II do de-
clare! Why, WHO are youf His mothers
believe you are his mother; they alwa,,r,
make fuss if a man chooses for himself
His MOTHER" cried Belinda. IF you
want to know who am, am his wife"
Amanda caught her breath and sat down
upon horscha!r sofa with a Tong tidy on
the back, and looked at Belinda.
"Didn't you know he was married.! 90
asked Belinda.
MY John Meyer married.: Why, he isn't.
He never so much as kissed any lady before
He swore it, said Amanda.
His name is John Meyer, he is a CONNER
cial traveller, and he hasn't known you
long, said Belinda,
II met him at party few months ago.
1t was love at first sight," said Amanda,
sObbing. 'He said SO, anyhow
81 found your letter in my husband s
pocket said Belinda. 'He was looking for
it high and low this morning, My poor
child, I begin to believe you are deceived
You are the victim of his falsehoods. He
told you he was single'
Eyes, and we are to be married in two
weeks, and my dress fits beautifully
moaned Amanda 20, what will he say:
But, after ALL you may be telling lies, for all
l know. Why should believe you:"
II don't ask you to do so without proof
said Belinda 1--WE will face h;m together"
''I'll be ready in a minute said Amanda,
snatching the pin cushion from her waist.
''And not tear will shed. Be ready in one
moment. What Wretch!''
d.
from her seat near the window.
Amanda came down stairs In few min
utes, dressed in a walking dress; and the
two were about to leave the house together,
when a noise of steps was heard in the
gravel path without, and Amanda, peeping
through the old-fashioned side-lights of the
door, called out:
"Why, there he is He has come up. He
has got the parasol for me. Hide, hide, some
where, and let me talk to him first"
AS she spoke she dragged poor Belinda
back into the parlor and crammed her into a
corner behind u walnut bookcase. Now that
it had come it was too dreadful to BEAR Be-
linda said to herself. The next instant some
one uttered these words:
''What is the matter, Amanda? Why
won't you kiss me: Why, Amanda, you
wrote me such a lovely letter, and I've
brought the parasol.''
There was sound as of pursuing and fly-
ing steps; then:
Don't touch mew squealed Amanda
'1've found you out. Your wife has been
here
'My wifc!' roared the masculine voice.
EYES," said Amanda. ''Here she is' And
diving behind the bookcase, she dragged
the wretched Belinda, now shivering with
room.
This is what your long days in New
York meant, eh:'' squealed Amanda. eff
she hadn't found my letter in your pocket
I'd have been married to you in two weeks
There, take your wife and go home, and kill
her if you want to, for just hate you both
o, you horrid old Mormon!''
''Oh oh! oh!' walled Belinda. "Oh! oh !!
DON'T please don'tr'
Meanwhile, tho accused faced the lady
with look of scorn
my wife'' said he ''Why, you ugly lit
tie demon, do you dare to say I'm your hus-
band: You blackmailer- -
mo, amt! No, you Amt! No, didn't!
Oh oh ! oh!' moaned Belinda.
II never saw her BEFORE" cried the gen
tleman, who was no other than Mr. John
Meyer number two. ''She's an impostor!
I'll have her arrested!'
'And never saw him BEFORE" moaned
the wife of Mr.. John Meyer NUMBER one.
"But the letter was in my Johns pocket.
and thought-of course thought-it was
written to him. 1t has his name on it"
II scc,' remarked Amanda's adorer,
ecstatically. IL understand Your hus.
band and I have the same name If he
travels for Bixby Brothers, I dined with
him last night. We went to the play, took
supper and changed coats 1 found a lot of
letters not belonging to me, in my pocket
this morning. Here they are. You see our
coats are both alike. Ready made coats
just bought that day. We spoke about
them. Bought at the same place.
20, don't say any more,'' sobbed Mrs.
John Meyer number one. "Don't please;
I've been such foOl.''
$50 have l." said Amanda.
'Well," said Meyer number two, I'VE b.
aau it by changing esatss'