The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-27

like a sack for capacity, and was ready to receive
more choice gitTs-The more and the cnoicer the
better. Heaven certainly seems very good indeed
to the richer creatures.
a footmau brought him card.
"Who is tt?" lie asked, 81 don't know the
name. What does he mean by coming on Sunday
morning."
"Gentleman says he has 10 speak to you on
most important private business"
Oh! !" He thought 1t must be some message
from the city or from his father. "Show him into
the study. No, let him come here"
The visitor was an elderly gentleman dressed
plainly, who entered, bowed and walled TO be
asked his business.
"Wel sire" asked the Honorable Henry
Stoke. what do you want with me? You said
you had important private business with me?'
Yes. have brought you some news"
- What news?"
"You gave evidence in trial about three and
q half years ago"
What about that trial?" The Honorable
Harry turned very red and then pale. Who are
you?"
" l am librarian of free public library. 1t
really does not matter who am. You gave
evidence in case of alleged stabblng and
wounding. Your evidence sent your own wife 10
penal seIYitude for seven years"
1" My vile? s liza lie, | say" He said
more but the terror in his eyes greatly detracted
from the strength nf his words.
u II is true" said the librarian. calmly. Your
own Wife,
Prove it. if you can?"
al eau. II can be proved very easily. You
took lodgings in certain parish under the name
OF HendrickSen. Under that name you were
married al the registrars OF that district to Ruth
Heron. You continued In your lodgings, aud
YOUR wife, who lived with her sister, visited you
there. One of your friends, man named Md
dlemist, then clerS In your fathers office, was
in your confidence, aud was present al your mar
- MIddlemist is dead"
Not at all. He lost his place in your office
and mad 10 go abroad. He has now come back
again. and has made an affidavit of the facts.
We have also obtained affidavit from the
landlady OF the lodgings There is no doubt DOS
sibie."
'sWhat are you golng-eoing to do ?" the man
caught the back OF the chair, and showed
ghaslly face. man. ii Is ruln-ab>Olute ruin
10 me. You don't know what mischief yOa may
be doing. will pay anythiuC-anything"
''At the trial your wife would say nothing;
word from her would have ruined you word
from you would baye saved her. What forgive
Gess--wbat consideration can you hOpe?"
IF viii buy silence at any price. Look here,
there are only you and ! present; il doesn't mat
ter what say. It's all true; did marry her l
told her il was false marriage because was
driven nearly mad ! suffered terribly at the
tme she ought 10 think OF that; | suffered ter
ribly. thought 1t was all over
In her lifetime nothing said. But your
wife Is dead"
Dad? Is Ruth dead?" His face frightened
agaio. Dead! Then it is all right! II doesn't
matter 10 anybody"
1T matters to her memory and TO her friends.
| She is dead, and now the story shall be told.
Yes, Mr.. Stoke. you VIII face he whole truth"
| Just then the door was thrown open, and Lord
| PerVale himself walked IN; lie bore IN his hand
| little bundle OF papers, which he threw upon
| the table.
~ hat - the meaning OF TINS announcement,
| STRIP lie asked his sOu; land this, and this? In
| the ST. James Gazette-in the Pail Maitland in
the Observer OF this morning. What does lt
mean, j say? 'On Friday, April 29th, Ruth,
| wife OF the Honor able Henry Hendricksen Stoke
| Of Chester Square aud Threadneedie street.
| daughter of the late Nathaniel Heron, j. r., OF
| Manchester aged 25' What is this, | ask ?''
His son looked at the announcement, but made
no reply.
What is 1t ?" roared his lordship.
alt means" said the librarian, what ii says.
| Your sons wife is dead"
"WhO nut in this announcement
Il did,"
Then, sir, you shall smart for it if there is law
in the land"
sons wife Is dead"
WHO is dead ?''
II was Lady Beatrice who stood at the door,
| dressed ready for church, and asked this ques-
| ton.
~ no is dead ?" she repeated.
This mans wife is dead" said the librarian,
| pointing 10 her own husband.
"His wife? What do you mean !"