Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-28
HER HUSBANDS LETTER.

1T is best on the whole not to read
your husbands letters until he hands
them to you, and it is much the best
not to examine his pockets, except for
holes, and then set aside whatever you
find there without examination.
| believe that Mrs. Elliott would give
any young wife that advice today; but
there was a time-we are all fallible,
being mortal-when she had been mar
ried about two years, that she made
herself an amateur detective so far
as her frank went, and had found holes
that she could not aXplain-one that
had something in it about Clara par
ticuIarly. 1t was only half letter;but
it was suspicious.
Naturally jealous, she was too proud
TO betray the fact Intentionally; but
there is no keeping a secret of that sort
from the servants. They knew it, other
people guessed at it.
Her fancies about Clara-oh, who
was Clara?-made her heart ache but
rumaging and prying did not help her.
When her husband was away-as he
often was-she suffered tortures. He
might, for all she knew be leading a
double life, and so she steamed all his
letters open before she forwarded
them, and now and then found some
thing that might mean more than it
said; and SO we come to an afternoon
when she-Mrs ElliOtt-came down.
stairs dressed for dinner, for which she
always made a careful toilet, and met
the waitress ascending to the upper
floor. The girls place at that moment
was in the dining-room and Mrs.
Elliott knew that nothing was needed
or forgotten that pertained to the dim
ner; moreover, the girl had an air of
secrecy about her, and seemed to be
hiding something under her apron.
whats that you have there, Rosa?"
Mrs. Elliott asked, little sharply.
The girl stopped, looked down, and
answered:
'sOnly a letter ma'am."
'For YOURSELF" asked Mrs. Elliott.
mo, ma'am, for MASTER said the
girl.
Well, give it to me, said Mrs.
Elliott.
The Girl hesitated.
Indeed, ma'am, the lady said to
give it to himself" said Rosa.
"A lady? A beggar with a petition,
suppose said Mrs, Elliott
a lady, ma'am, and she's gone, !"
said the girl. she wore a blue veil;
but ! never saw her before, I'm sure. :"
"Oh, very well, replied her mis-
tress. Give me the note. Mr. Elliott
is shaving and would not wish TO be
disturbed"
The girl gave a little impertinent
toss to her head as she obeyed and
founced downstairs in a way that made
her mistress resolve to give her warn.
inc.
The trouble was that the lady in the
blue veil had given Rose some money;
had whispered, Mr. Elliott, and no
one else. and had hurried away in a
suspicious manner.
Mrs. Elliott meanwhile stood turn
ing the envelope over. The address
was merely her husbands name-Mr.
Frank Elliott-and the edge of the flap
was still damp. as If sealed at the door.
1T would open ut the touch-she could
read it and know its contents if she
chose.
4 do choose" she said the next
moment and the edge of the envelope
rolled back and a slip of paper fell out.
On 1t was written these words:
DEAR FRANK: Meet me at the usual place
uyou can dodge your wife. CLARA
A moment more and the letter was
reSealed, and Mrs. Elliott, trembling
with anger, stood leaning against the
window frame. She felt that the dread
that had been upon her had taken
shape at last.
However, she would not be hasty.
She would wait until she was sure that
he desired to receive the letter. If he
did not obey the summons it would
prove to her that he was true to her.
Then She would tell him what she knew
and ask his confidence,
She carried the letter downstairs
with her and placed it at his plate, and
as he opened it she watched him close
".
1t certainly did not seem to please
him. He frowned. changed color, and
thrust it into his pocket; but he went
on with his dinner without any remark.
Mrs. Elliott, however, could not re-
main silent
You lookas though youhad received
plumbers bill, she said.
He laughed.
Its not a bill, he said; its a note
and it yeXes me because | shall have
to change my plans for tonight. l in.
tended to take you to the theater; now
can not do it. l shall have to leave
you, and, what is more, shall not be
back until tomorrow night. I'll send
messenger to Uncle James. He viii
escort YOU to the theater and
L viii not 90 with your uncle
James, said Mrs Elliot, sharply
you must take me; viii not be uset
in this way; you must go with me"
My dear, can not tell you how i
veNes me to have to leave you" saic
Mr. Elliot.
Frank, she answered, I have al
ways said that there are some thing:
which a wife should not endure
Lizzie, my dear, listen. l will tax,
you to the theater tomorrow night OF
the night after; we will enjoy ourselve.
quite as well. l think it viii rain to
night, anyhow"
DO you suppose am baby to fire
abost not seeing a pIay?n said Mrs
Elliott. No, Frank, only you mus
tell me why you break the engagement
and where you are going"