The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-06-29


bedroom she sat near lamp and began to
look in her basket for silk and needles.
Meanwhile her lord and master, who had
grown heavy under the influence Of beer
and oysters, undressed himself and turned
into bed, where he was soon snoring ire
mendously.
The button on, Belinda turned the coat
about, finding much fault with it, and
turned out the pockets to see if they were
strong
81 never would buy ready-made things
she said to herself. II can't see why John
does it''
She put her hand into the breast pocket
as she spoke, and felt an envelope.
Il wonder whether it is the letter gave
him topost this morning!" she said. Just
as likely as nothe forgot it."
But it was not her letter. 1t was one ad-
dressed in a feminine hand to Mr.. John
Meyer, and post-marked "Springville.'
That is where he spent three weeks some
time ago." said Belinda. He never men
toned corresponding with any one. Some
of those dreadful masculine women are in
business just like men. Anyhow, I'll peep"
She looked over her shoulder, saw as well
as heard that her John still slumbered,
these words:
my OwNEY DONEY: How long you have
been gone! 1 fairly pine for you. Your sweet
letters are all my JOY. What an awful thing it
is to be fond of q commercial traveller. just
wish had chosen somebody that could settle
down.
IF you really 1ciH bring me present, and
will have say what 1t shall be, well, let it be
parasol-one Of those IN black lace over red
satin; they are SO stylish.
Have you got your new coat yet? am always
so afraid you will catch cold.
Your own AMANDA"
The letter bore date:
NO. 50 LOVE LANE, SPRINGvILLE,
Sept. 21st, Sc"
1t was only three days old.
Belinda did not scream, nor did she faint.
She doubled up her small fists and NUT
tered revenge" between her teeth.
III kill her." she said; land then I'll
kill him; and then I'll kill myself. But
first, I'll have it out with her"
In the morning John Meyer number one,
who was in a great hurry, never noticed the
peculiar sternness of his wife's demeanor.
Goodbye, Tootsey," he said, as he
fumbled in his pockets. "Hang it all!''
Have you lost any thing" asked Be-
linda.
40, hang it-yes, some papers, replied
Mr.. Meyer.
Important ones!" queried Belinda.
Letters" said her husband Il can re-
remember their contents, but not certain
address. Now l wonder where l dropped
them"
Where were they from!" asked Belinda.
80, one was from Springville,'' said John
Meyer, not guessing the trap sprung for
him.
''Ah!' said Belinda, bitterly.
He fancied his late home coming on the
previous night had made her cross
III come early tonight he said, land
bring you a present"
His wife accepted his kiss and thought of
Judas, and then the door shut behind him
No sooner had he gone, than his wife
rushed to her room, dressed herself, and
with the letter in her pocket, hurried to the
railroad depot and bought a return ticket to
Springville.
She had resolved to meet the fair and frail
inhabitant of 80 Love Lane before noon
tide.
1t was not a long journey, and Love Lane
was well known by the little boys of whom
she inquired.
1t was row of pretty cottages with gar
dens before them, and SO was on the end of
the row. A dressmaker's sign was on the
door, and an old lady was just setting some
potted 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 a young woman, with a pin-cushion
hooked to her belt, obeyed the summons.
walk in,' she said; and Mrs. John Meyer
entered a parlor. you've come about
dress, SUPPOSED"
''No,'' replied Belinda, who was not wo-
man of resources-'no; I've come about a
man"
"a mantilla!" inquired theyoung woman
''No; a-a-plain man." replied Belinda.
THAT is, l mean only a man, not mantilla."
''1f it is vest" said the young woman,
II don't make those"
SIT is not a vest" said Belinda; II wish
it was. Oh! the blow was so sudden.''
You don't want me to make a shroud!"
asked the young woman, in an awful wills
per; because just Couldn't
"Oh!n screamed Belinda, jumping from
her chair, ''what awful things you say!"
''Then nobody is dead:" asked the girl
"Only me,'' said Belinda. ''Im 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.
YES she said, when she had finished.
II wrote it and I've got my answer"
''Who answered it," asked Belinda
'The gentleman l wrote to-Mr. John
Meyer" replied Amanda.
so, you wretch'' cried Belinda. EEseH
80, you dreadful womanl" gasped
Amanda; ito call me wretchn
''How dare you write to him?" asked
Belinda.
"Why, you awful creature, to ask how
dare write to the man am engaged to be
married tos' shrieked Amanda. II do de-
clare! Why, who are youf His mothers l
believe you are his mother; they always
make fuss if man chooses for himself"
"His motherr' cried Belinda. ''If you
want to know who l am, am his wite''
Amanda caught her breath and sat down
upon horsehair sofa with long tidy on
the back, and looked at Belinda.
Didn't you know he was marrieda"
asked Belinda.
my John Meyer married. Why, he isn't.