Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-10-24

used in this way; you must go with
me-"
..My dear, l cannot tell you how il
yexes me to have to leave yon," said
Mr.. Elliot.
Crank" she answered, al have
always said that there are some things
which wife should not endure"
"Lizzie, my dear, listen. | will
take you to the theatre tomorrow night
or the night after; we will enjoy our
selves quite as well. | think it will
rain tonight, anyhow"
''Do you suppose | am baby to fret
about not seeing a play?" said Mrs.
Elliot. ..No, Frank; only you must
ten me why you break the engage
ment, and where you are going"
business, my dear, business" said
Mr.. Elliot, in an artificial manner.
on explain some day. Business is
business; now be quiet and comfortable
like good girl. Good night"
He tried to kiss her, but she pushed
him away. Then he took his hat and
oyercoat and left the house, with a
little laugh not like his own.
Hardly had he passed the threshold
when his wife sprung to her feet, slip
ped on an ulster that hung in closet
IN the dining-ro hall, donned little
round cap and gray veil and sneaked
ont of the basement door-sneak was
the word.
"She's following him this time, +"
said Rose to the cook.
..Jealous again." said cook.
II guess he's giving her reason"
said Rose.
ats something dreadful" said cook,
..the way married men go on"
Meanwhile Mrs. Elliot lurked in the
shadow of the stone balustrades, and
saw that her husband stood under the
gaslamp at the corner examining the
note which he had received.
Well, wherever he went, there also
she would go. Whomsoevcr he might
meet should also meet her. This was the
end of everything, the finale. But she
would not weep-she would have long
years for that-she would behave as an
insulted wife should.
He was about to enter car; she al
SO hailed ii. An ulster and thick veil
reduce all women to one level. He
would not know her if he saw her.
She sat in her corner and saw that he
stood on the platform smoking. Which
way the car was going she scarcely no.
ticed. lie left il at last and entered
another: so did she. Again he smoked
on the platform, but at last: "Fort Ice
Ferryl !" shouted the conductor, and
she followed her husband into the fer
ryboat. II was dark, and though it
did not rain the air was full of moist
ure. There were very few people up
on the boat, but several of them were
brutal looking men, and they stared at
her, seeming to wonder at her thick
veil. She had forgotten her gloves,
and her small, white hands glistened
with rings, some of them very yalua-
BILE.
As she left the ferry, and, following
her husbands figure, crossed the great
track of a railroad, she trembled with
terror. As he assembled the bluff she
killed her skirts and followed.
Who could Clara be? What manner
of woman was she to appoint a rendes-
vouz like this? II was a nasty, slip
perry, unpleasant place. There was a
drinking saloon hard by, which seemed
to be full of rough men. She drew so
near to her husband that she could
have touched his coat as they passed
this place, but he did not look around.
And now 1t began TO rain in earnest,
and the road they had turned into
seemed TO be two feet deep with mud,
and still Mr.. Elliot marched on.
At last a frightful thing occurred to
Lizzie. She wore upon her feet pair
of patent leather ties, and with all this
climbing and straining of the shoes the
ribbons had become undone. Suddenly
the mud caught at them with that
curious power of suction which mud
seems to have at times, and the shoes
came off. In vain she felt around for
them; they seemed to have vanished.
just then:
"Hellol" said voice near by;
"what's the matter with you, young
woman?"
sI-nothingl" gasped Mrs. Elliot.
A large policeman stood before her.
"This amt no place for young
woman to be kiting around alone,"
said the policeman. ats dangerous,
if you're decent girl. What's hap
pened? Lost yourself!"
.sNo," said Mrs. Elliot, "I'm not
alone; there's my husbandl Frank!
Frank Frankln
Mr.. Elliot turned and walked back.
left you behind, did l, Lizzie?"
he said.
sYou're a mighty careful husband"