Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-10-24

Inc words ne laQ exchanged with MS
brother Joseph and those to which he
had listened to in the train, all seemed
to rush back upon his mind like so
many flashes of electric light to dis
perse the mist which had blinded him
perhaps to his own dishonor. In a
moment the twin demons-doubt and
suspicion-caught hold of him and
worked him up into state bordering
on madness. Was it possible, he asked
himself, that the words of that vain
glorious, blatant fool in the railway
carriage pointed to his wife? He had
always believed his wife to have been
a most injured woman, but the devil
of doubt had been raised in his breast,
and he was ready to believe the very
worst. And if, as he said to himself
with clenched teeth, his brothers sus-
picions proved to be correct, and he
found that Ella had deceived him,
there would be murder in that house
before the night was over. He had
been pacing the floor of the dining
room for perhaps couple of hours be-
fore his wife's step sounded in the hall.
She came in hurriedly and nervously:
and, when she heard that her husband
had returned home, it seemed to him
that her voice indicated more than sur
prise.
"Already" she exclaimed faltering-
", ''surely it is not z vet! Where is
he, in the dining-roomP" She opened
the door then, and stood on the thres-
hold, lovely picture by the freight,
in her velvets and furs.
"What has brought you home so
soon, MichaelP" she inquired.
"Have l arrived too early for your
convenience, Mrs. Denza?" he answered
in strange tone. "Have l cut your
engagements short?n
81 don't understand you," she said.
closing the door and advancing toward
him, but he could hear that her voice
trembled.
"Then will explain myself. Where
have you beenP Who do you come
fromP"
Mrs. Denza flushed scarlet She
was pale woman by nature, but now
her eyes filled with tears under the
pain of her burning complexion.
"Why should you speak to me like
thatP" she half whispered; "why do
you want to know where have beenp"
Her evident timidity looked so like
guilt that Michael Denza felt sure that
his doubts would prove to be realities.
Because | suspect your errand, Ella
more, | know it, and / am resolved
to hear the truth"
"Oh. God" she cried, involuntarily.
and there stopped. Her husband
stalked up to her and grasped her
wrist.
81 married you because | thought
you were a true woman, and would
stick to me-" he said, land till this
day never suspected you of double
dealing. But | have found you out at
last, and you shall suffer for it. Tell
me the truth or will kill you. You
have been with that man."
Her eyelids fell before his angry
glance.
''Oh, Michael, for Gods sake forgive
me-" she cried.
Forgive your he exclaimed. eyes,
/ will forgive you, madam; and / will
tell you how. | will turn you out of
the house you have dishonored this
very hour; you shall never see me nor
your children again, nor have another
opportunity of deceiving me, as doubt
less you did the unfortunate devil
whose name you bore before mine.
at is a lie," she cried, goaded into
resentment. 81 never deceived him.
was only too patient. He has said
so himself"
sThen you reserved the honor for
me. am infinitely obliged to you.
But it is for the last time. You shall
not live to deceive me again."
He advanced upon her with such
threatening air that the woman really
thought her last hour had come.
Mercy, mercy!' she shrieked. ..Oh,
Michael! spare me, and will tell you
everything"
Tell me the truth then, if you can.
Have you come from meeting another
man?"
Eyes! yes! have
"My God! and you can own it. What
is his name?"
She hesitated, and he returned to the
attack.
"Give me his name, or I will strike
you TO the ground"
But a sudden courage seemed to
have come to Mrs. Denza's aid. She
drew up her slight figure to its full
height. and looked her husband straight
in the eyes.
''Strike me if you WILL" she answer
ed, "and you will learn nothing. But
be patient, and | will take you to him.
Then you can revenge yourself upon
him as you will"
You will take me to himr he stam-
mered.
Il will take you to him." she re-
| peated. "But come at once. or it NAV
be too late"
She ran swiftly from the house as
she spoke, and Michael Denza, clap
ping his hat upon his head. followed
her as in dream. He could not be-
lieve it possible she would introduce
him to the very presence of her lover.
Mrs. Denza walked quickly down sew
eral streets, until she reached poorer
quarter of the town, formed of small
houses. Knocking quietly at the door
of one of these, she merely said to the
landlady: Il wish to go upstairs
again" Then 10 her husband, Fol
low me-" and in another minute they
had assembled the narrow staircase to-
gether and entered a bed-chamber.
Mrs. Denza seemed strangely alter
ed. Her step had grown majestic, and
her manner almost defiant, as she ad-
vanced to the bedside, and, pulling
| down the sheet, disclosed the pallid
face of an attenuated corpse.
There" she exclaimed proudly, as
she turned to Michael, "there is the
man | came from"
ssDeadtr he said fallinp backward