Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-01-31
HIS HONOR'S DECISION.
The business of Which Is Left for
the Reader to Decide.

Judge Eric Thorndyke vent 70 New
port 10 urge his wife TO return with
him to New York. Mrs Thorndyke
owned a cottage at the watering-place.
where she and her crippled brother
had spent the summer. Now the sea-
o wa over. The judge had been
married for less than a year. and dur
ing the last four weeks had not seen
his wife at all. for his judicial duties
kept him almost continually in the
city.
In spite of his proverbial good luck.
the judge was unhappy in his mar
riage- He had not reached the lament
able point OF declaring marriage to be
N failure. but he was d~ispleased with
his wifc's conduct He had repeatedly
urged her TO come to New York; but.
In spite of his assertion that their sep
aration was exciting comment. she had
declined TO join him for another month,
Her excuse was that her Invalid broth
er needed her presence.
There was an ugly rumor afioat. that
Mrs. Thorndyke was less Interested in
the invalid than in his physician. Julian
Winters was under the care OF DIR.
Deering. Four years before her mar.
riage to Thorndyke. Audrey Winters
had been engaged TO this doctor. Deer.
ing vas n graceful. somewhat conceit.
ell young gentleman. whom women
considered agreeable. but whom men
despiscd. Thorndyke thought so little
OF him that be had never been Jealous
Of him. He had not thought it posi-
bic that Audrey could have had more
than "A passing fancy for Deering.
The judge had greatly admired her
to her crippled brother. but
now this very attentiveness had be-
come an annoyance to him. She was
unwilling to leave Julian alone in New
port, or to take him to her husbands
home in New York. She said that he,
brother was deriving benefit wher,
he was. Thorndyke was not satisfied
with this excuse. Julian's lameuess
would never be any better. and hi.
general health was as good as usual.
~lhorndyke remembered that his wife
had always appeared reluctant 10 leave
her brother. She had At first refused
tn marry. on the ground that he need.
ed her attention But Thorndyke was
In the habit Of having his own way.
and he overruled this objection. He
had taken her hands into his firm
grasp and said;
Il am not asking you to leave our
brother. but TO come with me. / an
determined to make you my wife
Audrey; for. heart and soul and body,
you are nine'~
When he arrived at his wife's co,
tage. he was bitterly chagrined to
learn that she was absent A servan,
gave him a note in which she ex.
planned that she was going to drive
with Julian. but would return in 9
little while.
The judge was high-spirited, and,
when Julian arrived acne, was thor.
oughly aroused; he could not patient
~ remain in the house. and he
went out OF doors. walking rapidly
along the shore and keeping a sharp
lookout for his truant wife. His blood
was up lie set his teeth and stood as
II rooted to the spot when he saw his
wife and Dr. Deering approaching
him lie careless disregard Of her
husbands arrival. and OF the gossip
which coupled her name with Deer.
ings. Infatuated TsOrndyke beyond
expression
Judge ThOrndyk e anl his wife
walked home in silence. Not a sylla-
bic was spoken by either OF them
until he reached her sitting-room.
The gas had o been lighted ,hera.
but a rudy log-wood fire glowed on
the hearth Thorndkye closed aud
locked the door.
Now" he said. his voice deep
with suppressed fccling-"now / must
have your explanation"
Even then she did not speak imme-
diately. and her elaboration greatly
tried his patience.
Il can make no explanation. shc
satd. AZ last. until 1 know what ,uu
wish NO 10 explain"
his a was in the shadow, but even
ias GnFsituTs5.e woman nsst have