Wichita eagle., 1889-12-26
THE CANONS WIFE.

Rey.-Canon Alison was generally known
among his acquaintanoes as "a sanity man, "
but he was one of those TO whom saintkress had
not refused fair share of temporal blessings
to wit. q snug canonry, q good West End
living. and last, though by no meaos least, a
pretty little wife, fun fifteen years younger
than himself
Both the canon and his wife were very
fond of society, and they were undeniably
Fin the swi1n) their fsces were to be seen at
most of the large balls and receptions which
took place during the season. He was a great
favorite with the ladies, TO whom he was rec,
commended tby his fine figure, handsome face,
winning manner and brilliant conversation,
whereas she, being much too pretty and fas-
cinating to have the approval Of her Own sex,
usually formed the center Of a ring of male
admirers
Now, no lady can attract too much atten-
tiop from the opposite sex without rousing
the mortal jealousy of all her less fascinating
sisters; and the fair, when once thoroughly
Jealous, are quite reckless in sue aspersions
which they cast ON their riyars character.
So in the present case 1t is not TO be won
dered at that most Of them shook their heads
over that Alison woman's disgracefal con-
occupied prominent position among her
majestys ministers, began TO show the can
on,s wife rather married attentions. they de-
clared the little lady's behavior to be posi-
lively scandalous, and advocated her speedy
ejectment from the pale of decent society.
81 wonder that the dear canon does not put
stop to it," said Lady MaIise ISLANDERS to
her intimate friend, Hon. Mrs. Medjar.
thinks everybody asinnocent and guileless as
himself He neither sus3aeots nor notices
anything"
''It would be charity to open his eyes to
the true character of that woTIan, returned
Lady Malise. 81 Have good mind to take
the duty upon myself"
'Don't do that, dear; the canon willsnever
believe you. Let tine bring about the ex-
posure. People can't go on walking upon ice
without slipping, and I'll lay a modest wager
that, before twelve months are ont, the Ali
son woman's name will figure In the divorce
court"
I'm sure you're right; but to see her con-
ducting herself as she does makes me SO angry
Chat l can scarcely restrain myself. LOokl
the earl Of Te1nplecombe is befding over her
now, and she is encouraging his attentions
with all her might. Really it makes me
blush for the honor Of ny SEX"
The above conversation is fair sample of
what the ladies Of the London drawing rooms
were constantly saying about the canon's
wife But it served neither to open the cam
On's eyes nor to make Mrs. Alison change
her ways; indeed, her conduct WAS $50 the
ladies averred,, if possible, more outrageous
than ever.
Twelve months slipped by, us,ering in an
other SEASON." and still the event on which
hfrs. Medlar had offered to lay a modest
wager had not come to pass.
Nemesis, however, WIS close on her victims
heels. and did not mean to let this season
also come to an end without bringing mat
ters to climax.
Il happened in this wise: Mrs Alison had
been out shopping early in the afternoon,
and returned home about O'Clock. On en-
tering the kbrary she found her husband sit
ting in his customary armchair, with news
paper lying open onihfs knees; but he was
evidently not reading it, since his face was
buried in his hands He turned round at
the noise Of tbe opening door, and looked at
her with glance which showed her at once
that soms6hing was wrong.
Uneas;fy conscious Of more than one little
secret which her husband might have dis
covered, she felt a thrill Of dismayat her
heart
''Shut the door, If you please, Edna said
the canon gravay. II have something to
Say to you"
The tone OF his voice. half stern, half sad,
Only SERVED to confirm her fears and when
apninute iatsr, he drew a bundle of letters
from his vest pscket aud LAID them on the ta-
BILE beside him, she knew that the worst had
been discovered.
''Some of these letters, Edna" he said, in
the same grave, measured tones, which, how
ever, alarmed her far more than passionate
rage wosld have done, 'are from Lord Tenn
plecombe to you, and the rest are from you
to Lord Templecomoel'
She stood before hin with her hands clasp
ed tightly together and her lips parted, una
bic at first TO utter single word. But when
her Sudden dismay had subsidized a little, she
at length found her voice. 'Oh, Hush.n
she said plesdingly. ''1t was wrong-very
wrong-of me TO have written those letters,
I know; bat thsre has been nothing worse
than little harmless Irritation between me
RnG Lord Temp!ecombc-I give you my sol
emn word"
do not accuse you of actual guilt" an
swercd the canon, IN tue same grave tones.
sBut rccnliect that what in au unmarried
woman is merely an indlscretion. IN 6 mar
ried woman becomes sin. And my wife shall
not carry on clandestine correspondence
with another mani"
'Oh, HI2sh, doforgive me this oncer' 'sobbed
the little wo.a&n. r meant no wrong-in-
decd didn't! l won't speak 70 him or even
look at him again! Do say rAat you forgive
me!n
Atprosent ! can say nothing" he returned
coldly, rising from his chair aud looking full
into Eer face, Except co tell you this-that
have suspected your %onouct Tor some time
past, and hare only waited 10 see a certain
announcement IN the papers before speaking.
That announcement appears in today's Morn
ing Post. TEke it, and see whether you can
discover wbd1 / mean"
Thereupoa he handed his wife the paper,
ano, WITHOUT smother word, left the room,
closing the DOOR becind him
For Scne minutes after he was gone she re-
manned wholly overcome with disnay; then
she began eagerly 10 scan Tne Morning Post
IN search of tAat announcement of which the
.anon had spolgen.s What could it be- Was
Il possible that the newspapers had published
any scanca about herself? Surely not. Yet
what else eeuld her husbands words imply,
She cast her eye quickly down the various
eolur'rs hsif hoeing, half dreading. to fnd
shas for which s.se was lcetins. Sac even
pcrEsed the LADDERS the law rvpcrts and
khs Sporting Intelligence, but found NO sort
OIL arScsnceaac7t 20 account for toe caron's
wc-dS II was csrsairly puzzle
Whsss size was thus enSeyrd she haarl a