Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-11-01

must hasten back to explain her mis-.
take. But first he must get rid of his
load and likewise OF the lady. He there
fore hurried after her, found her a
seat, and excused himself as quickly as
possible; but before he could leave the
train it was in motion: and by the time
he reached the platform it was moving
at a good rate OF speed.
Mr.. Coddleman was inclined to DO
stout, and, Moreover, was much Hurried,
and this fact, coupled with an absolute
ignorance Of the laws of moving bodies,
may account for his jumping with both
feet together, and in the opposite direc-
ton from which the train vas moving.
The result of this neu was a
complicated series of somersaults,
which landed him in a heap on
the floor of the station, from which
he gathered himself up just In
time to see his own train disappear in
the distance. This involved a three
hours wait, during which he meditated
On the events Of the afternoon and the
reception that awaited him at home.
1t was after ten at night when he at
last, weary and worn, reached his house.
1t took him a little while to summon up
courage to enter.
In the parlor sat his wife, bolt up
right in a chair by the table, reading
the family Bible-an ominous sign.
"My dear" he faltered, in his meek
est tones, Il missed my train, and have
just arrived. | trust you have not been
worrying about me-"
/ Mrs. Coddleman, on his entrance,
slowly closed the Bible, laid it on the
table, folded her hands before her, and
waited.
Matthias began to get nervous. 'IIas
has not your sister come, my love?'
he asked, hesitatingly.
"Wretchw returned his spouse, and
dissolved into tears.
"What is the matter, my angelo" he
inquired, in a vain attempt to appear a,
ease.
''Monster!" she calculated, and swept
by him, out OF the room and upstairs
and this was the extent of their con,
versation for that night. BY personal
observation he discovered that her sis
ter had not yet arrived, but of the cir
cumstances he could learn nothing.
At breakfast the next morning, Mrs
Coddleman wore the expression Of /;
martyr undergoing torture; she poured
the coffee with q Christian resignation
beautiful to see; and the manner IL
which she passed her husband the but
ter would have brought tears to the eye
of the most hard-hearted. Mr.. Coddle
!, man determined to make a bold break
and summoning up all his courage, ad
dressed his wife:
"My dear!" he said, "Ifear you did no
: rightly understand the events of yester
dav; in short, that--that-"
"No explanation can avail. Matthias
| saw it all"
S "Saw all what, my love?"
|? "Do not attempt to deny 1t. ! sa,
a. you when you passed through the rea
car, though you did not see me; | fol
lowed you into the front one to spcal
t to you; aud saw you meet that odiou
r woman-by appointment I've no doubt
: | saw you devote yourself to her, an,
finally go of with her, l don't kno,
y where. II is we'll for her that | wa
without my glasses and could not SO
her TO know her, or"
just at this moment a carriage lade
O with trunks drove up to the door.
d 'Thsre is your sister, my love" sal
Matthias. "For heavens sake, don't let
have q family row just as she Is al
k irving
Il "Cowurd!' replied his wife. and lei
the n % Mr.. Coddleman grDaned, an
Q awaited results in the dining-room. II
o heard tho voice Of his sistes-in.la,
II in the hall, 1t sounded fsmiliar.
81 my tsrling, what . hap. inoss TIL