Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-06-05
Deceiver and Deceived.
awHAT FOOLS THESE MoRTALs BE-"

awHAT FOOLS THESE MoRTALs BE-"
Only six months married and it had come
to this. My husband had begun to tire of
me. There could be no doubt about it, for
only this minute had found note in the
pocket of his dressing gown, which ran as
follows:
"Dear Pedro: 1 am getting jealous of
that Philida of yours. Come over a1ter
tea"
That was all, but it was enough for jeal:
GUS young wife of twenty to cry over:
noticed that when Pedro came home tnas
night he was very nervous, and hurried
away as soon as he could taking the note
with him. =,
Then made up my mind that would
satisfy myself what it all meant. put on
a cloak aud heavy veil and hurried after
him. When | came in sight of him he had
paused at No. 100 on familiar street and
rang the bell.
waited outside. There was the sound
of music from within, but for the life of me
l could not have told what they were play.
ing. Now and then the door opened and
some people came out. There seemed to
be party there. When anyone emerged /
walked little way and then turned back.
At last-ob, how long it seemed!-my
Pedro came out, with woman on his arm.
Her figure was trim and she walked WELL
She wore wraps and what is called 'fas-
ciuator'-a sort of evening hood-on her
head. l followed, gaining on them by de-
grees.
'sThis is like old times, Pedro" heard
her say.
l did not hear his answer. She quite
nestled up to him; the tones of her voice
were soft and familiar, and had heard
that voice before. l was following them
blindly, taking no notice of the street, when
suddenly they stopped before house.
knew it; IT'S very ratings were familiar L
began to understand" Then heard every
word"
SCOT a latch.key2" asked Pedro.
'sNo; but Maggie is coming" said she.
evil you come in?'
ga minute,' he said.
He went in l did not mind. l was cry
ing with mingled shame and relief. This
house belonged to my husbands mother.
That lady was his mother, who was only
seventeen years older than he was himself.
l was an idiot, and ought to have remem
bered that mother. in laws cousin Jane lig
ed at 1870 - street. She had asked him
to be her escort; that was all. AS for me,
was an idiot-a complete idiot-who
ought to be shut up out of harms way.
Ny only hope now was to hurry home
and hide my folly from everybody.
- Man proposes--so does woman. Things
are disposed by Heaven, as we have all
heard.
1 had hurried on block or two, when
come one said in ny ear:
"Where are you going, my deal2"
turned and saw young man, and also
noticed the smell Of liquor.
s'How dare you speak to me2" l cried.
"Rarep' said he. "Oh, Pm no coward.
Never afraid Of gal in my life. Take my
arm"
600 away" said I.
.'Oh, pahawr' said he "You don't want
me to 60"
l hurried Oh; he kept at my side. He
said don't know what, but I do know that
at last he kissed me.
I uttered yell that would have done
credit to an Indian on the warpatb, and the
next instant the iDsolent man eprawled in
thu gutter, and a voice cried:
'Let the young woman aloue!-A gin
that shrieks as you do seems to be in earn.
est" the voice added. shall I see you
cafe out of this fellows reach? New Yorl
is no place for girls to run about alone il
at midnight. Good heavens! it's Philidar
1t was Pedro's voice. He stood thar
looking at me, strangely white.
The man staggered to his feet and stun
blsd away.
"Take my arm," said Pedro, in ton
had never heard before
We walked on together in silence for
long while, then
tsPhilida, what does this nean?'' aske
Pedro.
''You must never ask me-" said l.
"Mustn't I?" said he. 'Iudeed, l must
though, of course, | know it is all right
But how came you where | found you?"
81 never mean to tell YOU" said l. 'Pn
too mnch ashamed"
"But think 1 must know" said he
Pm your husband. l left you beside you
own Preside. You said nothing about go
lag out"
I might have told fib, but 1 would no
do that. Besides, I had admitted that
had done something to be ashamed Of
was silent.
''Well?' said hc.
"You'll have to take my word that Their
was no harm in what I was about" said
But felt there was harm; that it wa
scarcely doesn't to go about the city at nigh
watching ones husband like a detective
and my voice had no honest ring in it. N
more was said until we got to the house
then he Sat down before me.
"Philida," said he, 81 have trusted yo'
from my soul; but men have trusted as en-
tirely, only to be deceived. Who was tia
nan ?"
"Gracious goodness how should
know" gasped.
''Did you go out to meet bim?" asked be
elbow dare you insult me9'' [ cried.
drew myself up, but he looked at once
SO furious and SO wTetched that l resolved
to take all the shame of my folly upon rny
head, rather than bear this g moment more
I went down upon my knees on the hearth
rug like guilty wretch and sobbed out:
ut was all that cream c0lored note.
didn't know it was from your mother.
thought it was from some old love, and i
followed you. II that brute had not III
shifted ne I'd never have told yon-never
Oh, forgive me, and don't-don't tell youl
mother"
After that had to tell the whole story
from first to last; but before got through
was forgiven. l have never been jealous
since. To be sure, I've never had any rea.
eon-that / know of.
Form and Feature,
Unless associated with good teeth, are shorn
Ia1f ha ntb teo