The Globe-republican., 1890-03-19

press his Joy at having me with him,
with these days when he sometimes
never spoke except on some business,
and seemed to be, thought. tired OF me
and our life together. Not that put
my thoughts into words: but vague fears
haunted me, making me miserable by
day, and rendering my nights restless
with anxiety and half-regret that
had not stayed with my mother.
One day, when my feelings were in
chaotic and truly unworthy state. Tom
came in from the field and said: Josie,
1 wish you'd mend my coat l want it
to wear over to Goff s Station tonight"
What for? Can go, too?" l asked,
eagerly.
NO" he answered, promptly. Then
seeing my face fall, he added: THAT
is, I'd rather you didn't. I've got some
business over there that, well-that-"
.Oh! If you have business over there
that you don't want me to know about,
all right. Iwon't CO." l answered, Bit
terly.
1t was the first. yes, and the only
time ever answered Tom in that way,
and he turned and looked at me in sur
prise Then he came over and kissed
me.
''Yes, dear, you can 60. 1t is all
right. Get ready, and we'll start
early"
Il shall not co. replied, in hard,
set tone.
Tom was hurt, and went out without
knowing how l ached to have
him catch me in his arms and fold me
close to him. And |, now that my ILL
temper had been given rein, thought
only of the curt refusal he had given to
quickly he had sOftened to me when I
showed him that was hurt.
After little l took his coat and sat
down to mend it. Something fell out of
| the inside pocket-a letter. l picked it
up. 1t was in a woman's handwriting.
| and not mine!
Something whispered: SIT is notyours.
Put it back. Trust him. and he will tell
you all about it in good time
Something else whispered: ''Read it.
If he is false to you, you want to know
| 1.-THE sooner the better"
tore it wildly open and read:
my DARLING TON:
How glad 1 am to say I can see you again.
| Meet me at Gofrs Station. on the Goth. at the
6:2o train. know You will he as glad 10 see me
as to see you, dear boy! Until then, l am
| your loving
"TEENIE"
was struck dumb. Something SEEM
ed to be choking me, to be gripping my
very heart. thought l was going to
die then and there.
''Teenie." had never heard of her.
| Who was this woman whom Tom was
going to meet? And why had he not
told me? Oh. l saw it all. Iknew why
| l must not go to the station with him.
To-day was the Goth. Tonight he was
to meet his '.Teenie." Very we'll He
should have his house in which to re-
ceive her then.
verify believe was insane as l rose
and made preparations to leave the lit
tie house which for two years had been
paradise to me. Tom had two hundred dol
lars in one of our bureau udrawers--moneyI
had helped him to save by close and pinch
ing the only note that he had out against
him. took the money and hid it in my
bosom. Then l wrote note and left it
on the table-precisely as other women
have done when about to wreck their
happiness in fit of jealous anger.
DEAR TOM II said:
There isn't room in so small house for you
and me-and 'Teenic.' have taken the money
10 go home with, but will send it back to you
as soon as get there
That was all. Not even a goodbye, 1
was SO angry.
Then l started on foot. l could take
a train at six o'clock, precisely, for the
East. 1t was now three o'clock. and the
distance was seven miles. was good
walker in those days, and could,
thought, easily make it. Oh, how mis-
erable l was as l plodded along that
hard, dusty road! How my heart ached!
How old and worn felt, and how anx-
ious to get to my mother, where could
die in peace.
Only once did it occur to me that Tom
would come in, by and by. from his
work. and find my note: that he might
be in despair: that his heart would be bro
Remand he would hurry after me to bring
me back. But pshaw. This was foolish
ness. i told myself. He would be glad
to 60 and meet his ''Teenie" and have
her to himself. How could have been
so wicked / can not understand. NY
good and noble Tom. l am sure l was
temporarily insane.
The sun grew very hot, and l found it
much harder to walk that seven miles
than l had anticipated. But would not
give up. 1t was probably about five
o'clock. and l had some two miles more
to go. when looking up. l saw terribly
black cloud coming straight towards me
from the West. Cyclones were not COM
mon in those days. and did not know
what it meant: but l was frightened.
nevertheless, and looked for shelter. 1
had left the prairie now. and was on a
road which skirted ravine wild and
rugged. Towards that l ran. as there
was not house in sight. My terror
knew no bounds; cried, screamed,
hi yaI ,f<