Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-10-18

Anu IL VIII iiItuk Ills UedTU, lot lit
loves her dearly" said Paul, sadly
but it must be done"
"Why not let him find out for him
self" urged the gentle Mary, land
infiict suchpunishment rs he sees ftp
THAT internal French bit ofsophis
try again. he exclaimed. "Cut it
am not n coward and will do my
duty, though n more unpleasant one
never fell to my lot"
In the morning he wired Rockford
to come to (Pauls) house at the ear
liest possible moment. Hewas brac,
ing his nerves for the painful inter.
view when the door-bell rang.
1t was Miss Millington-pale, wild.
eyed, gasping.
What diu she say? What did she
not say? Everything that weak
and sinful woman could say under
the circumstances. The love of dress
had tempted her; her position of de.
pendence was so CALLING; the necessi
/ ty of keeping upappearances was so
absolute in the ultra fashionable set
in which she moved; and, after all
her man9uvres had not been unsuc
cesstul; she had caught husband
a good man
Paul pounced upon the truthful
epithet.
"Too good for you" he cried. Gle
shall know of this from my lips.
would deem it dishonorable to with
hold this knowledge from him, hav,
sent for him."
"Hc is coming here?" she asked il
dismay.
:" expect him every instant" h,
said, calmly.
Let me CO." she cried rushing to
wards the door.
Paul turned the key, took it out
pocketed it, Miss Millington sans
into the easy-chair. Mary wept.
"Oh, Paul, husband, you are cruel, .
she said, between her sobs.
Mr.. Rockford was announced, Pau
unlocked the door and let him in. ii,
had had difficulty in getting away
from business, he said; but the tele
! gram wasso peremptory; what coulC
be the matter?
A deathly silence fell on the group
Paul, who had counted so confident
~ on his power to disclose to his
friend knowledge which would max,
him miserable for life, suddenly found
himself tongue-tied. George Rockford
looked from one to the other ofthe trio
in complete astunishment at this
strange demeanor.
"Willyou kindly explain the mean
ing OF this scene, one or the other o
your he asked in the quiet, direct
manner of the business man.
No one answered.
Arap at the door broke the silence.
"Comein" cried Mary Devereux.
10 her intense surprise tho servant
who had been recently discharged
walked into the room with a resolute
air. A man of fleshy, shabby apparel
and ditto manner closely followed
her.
Excuse my coming right into
your parlor," said the woman, with
curt politeness, "but my business is
that kind that We don't want to let
the grass grow under your feet about
1t See? What | mean to say is, YOU
thought | stole spoons, didn't your"
"What if we did?" cried Paul an
grily.
"What?" roared the indignant SER
want.
"Why, I'm an honest woman, am,
though | cook and wash. Spoons is
safe where | am and how many OF
those present can say the same?"
walk out of the place." shouted
Paul in a frenzy.
I'm two minutes and half will y
replied the resolute person who had
come to vindicate her character.
"Sam Rowley, perduce them
spoons
Her follower with an apologize air
extracted three handsome silver SOUP
spoons from the side pocket of his
coat.
"Pawned with me-" he whistled
through the aperture caused by lost
front teeth, "by NJ. Millingtonl'
"Them spoons was lost the day she
lunched with you," went on the
Amazonian accuser, "and next day
they was pawned with S. Rowley, a
cousin of mine, which is here. Books
will show | amt making no trumpet
up charge. She's got the pawn ticket
sommer, you'll find" and the injured
person tossed her head Indignantly.
George Rockford looked like a man
who is on the verge of lunacy.
hPn11l Dnn1f;'bn n,;al l. -
moan, explain all this to me, beg
i entreat of you"
Don't ask me George: | can't:''
groaned Paul, hiding his face in his
hands.
Miss Millington rose to her feet
slowly.
"The whole question is this, George
Rockford" she said, in an icy voice;
would you marry n woman of loose
principles as regards-well," logged
ly, stealing?"
MOP he shouted.
Then nothing remains, suppose.
but for me to say goodbye to you?"
she queried.
Nothing whatever" he ronred
Justify, "Ifyou hold such loose princi-
ples"
Almost before they knew it she was
gone she and her accusers. They
had departed, either separately or
together, no one noticed which.
Il will explain the. matter to you
in detail, George" said Paul, sadly.
when feel trifie more composed.
Meantime, what is our real duty here?
Ought we to punish this guilty
woman"