The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-06-29

Have you got your new coat YETI am always
so afraid you will catch cold
"Your own AMANDA"
The letter bore date:
mo. 90 LOVE LANE, SPRINGvILLB,
sept 2lst &C."
y 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.
"I'll kill her." she said "and then FL
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 stornness of his wife's demeanor.
"Good-bye, Tootsey," he said, as he
fumbled in his pockets. "Hang it allm
"Have you lost any thingin asked Be-
linda.
30, hang it-yes, some papers," replied
Mr.. Meyer.
Important ones2" queried Belinda.
Letters" said her husband. 81 can re-
remember their contents, but not certain
address. Now wonder where / dropped
them"
'Where were they fromln asked Belinda
80, one was from Springville,n ~ said John
Meyer, not guessing the trap sprung for
him.
"Ahl' said Belinda, bitterly
ldUCltl MS ldIe NOME on inc
previous night had made her cross.
"rn come early tonight he said, land
bring you 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 % was on the end of
the row. A dressmakcrs 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 AmandaW the old lady answered by call
/ ing out:
Here, somebody wants you;"
| and young woman, with pin cushion
hooked to her belt, obeyed the summons
walk in, " shesaid; and Mrs. John Meyer
entered a parior you've come about a
dress, supposen
NO replied Belinda, who was not wo-
man of rcsOurces-''no; I've come about
man.
"a mantilla?" inquired theyoung woman
"No: a-a-plan man. replied Belinda.
"That is, | mean only man. not a mantilla."
''If it is vest" said the young woman,
~ don't make those"
1T is not vest,n said Belinda; 81 wish
it was. OH the blow was so suddenp
''You don't want me to make a shroudl"
| asked the young woman, in an awful whis-
per; "because just couldn't"
"Ohm screamed Belinda, jumping from
her chair, ''what awful things you sayr"
"Thcn nobody Is dead:" asked the rirl.
"Onlv -1c," sliJ Belinda. "Im dyingm
III 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 fiad
found in her husbands new ovcrcoat the
night before
"Did you write that?n 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.n asked Belinda.
'The gentleman l wrote to-Mr. John
Meyer" replied Amanda
so, you wretch cried Belinda.
so, you dreadful woman!" gasped
Amanda; ito cg!l ne IA wretch"
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 tor sAlicked Amanda. Il do de-
clare! Why, who are gouF His motherl
believe You are his mother; they always
l.;
His mother!' cried Belinda. 'If you
want TO know who am, l am his rife"
Amanda caught her breath and sat down
upon a horsehair sofa with long tidy on
the back, and looked at Belinda
Didn't you know he was married."
asked Belinda.
my John Meyer married. Why, he isn't.
He never so much as kissed any lady before.
He swore it, said Amanda.
''His name is John Meyer, he is a CONNER
cial traveller, and he hasn't known you
long" said Belinda.
II met him at party few months ago.
1t was love at first sight" said Amanda,
sobbing. He said so, anyhow"
II found your letter in my husbands
pocket" said Belinda. "He was looking for
it high and low this morning. My poor
child | begin to believe you are deceived.
You are the victim of his falSehoods. He
told you he was single"
''Yes, and we are to be married in two
weeks, and my dress fits beautifully"
moaned Amanda. so, what will he sayl
But, after all, you may be telling lies, for all
know. Why should believe youl"
II don't ask you TO do so without proof"
said Belinda. "We will face him together"
"I'll be ready in Il minute,n said Amanda,
snatching the pin-cushiOn from her waist.
Sand not a tear will l shed BE ready in one
moment. What a wretch!n
"Ah what a wretch." echoed Belinda,
from her seat near the window.
Amanda came down stairs in few min
utes, dressed in walking dress; and the
two were about to leave the house together,
when a noise of steps was heard in the
gravel path without and Amanda, peeping
through the old-fashioned side-lights of the
door, called out:
"Why. there he isl He has come up. He
has got the parasol for me. Hide, hide, some
where, and let me talk TO him first"
As she spoke she dragged poor Belinda
back into the purior and crammed her into
corner behind walnut bookcase. Now that
1t had come it was too dreadful to bear, Be-
linda said TO herself. The next instant some
one uttered these words:
'eWhat is the matter Amandal Why
won't you kiss mel Why, Amanda, Sou
wrote me such lovely letter, and I've
brought the parasol."
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