Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-09-12

Stephen was Da1fled and puZZied Dy all
This, he had not the faintest idea what it
meant, not the smallest suspicion of all
that was working in his little wife's mind.
But he held her in his arms aud soothed
aer and petted her like hurt child. My
lear-my love-my little wife, don't cry
ike that" ne entreated. what did do
dearf What did / say to upset you like
thist"
But Julia was now a trif1e ashamed
well, if the truth be told, very much
ashamed of her outburst, and she gave
him no explanation as she rested her head
against his broad shoulder. Stephen now,
however, was bent upon getting to the
bottom of the mystery
"You said you were jealous, just now.
darling" he said but what are you jeal-
ous of-not of re, surely? You didn't
think the letters were blind and that
stayed at home O flirt with one of the
other women, did yOu' Oil you could
not" he added, laughing at his own sug-
gestion. You couldn't-it's too ridicu-
lous for words. You didn't think that,
did your"
But Julia still had nothing to say, and
instead Of answering she began to trace
imaginary patterns with her fingers inthe
blotting book which was lying open on the
table. Then she began to follow the lines
of the work on which he or someone else
had been employed and of which traces
were left on the plotting paper.
"What have you been doing here,
Steviel" she asked, suddenly designing
a plan for a shooting lOdge|
Stephen Howard pulled the book gently,
yet forcibly, from under her hand and
closed it. az want to know what upset
you So my sweetheart" he asked, and he
spoke in the tone of a man who meant to
have his question answ cred.
"Well, Stevie." said Julia. contritely-
for as usual the cloud seemed to shrink
when she was very near to him, Il was
tired and-and | am an idiot" she e2ded,
ingenuously.
.'Yes-yes-but what made you jealous''
he asked, "A shade impatieutly.
81 think l am always little jealous Of
Mamie" she admitted at last, very IN
willingly.
Jealous of Maimier he echoed, in
credulousIy. "Why, l never heard of
such a thing in my life-never. If it had
been anyone else, could understand it:
but Mamie, my own sister-why, it's pre-
pOsterOusn'
"Yes-but didn't mean like that at
all" Julia cried.
al should hope not" he rejoined, quick
ly-then added in the gentlest tone of re-
proach, 81 thought you were 50 fond of
Maimie2"
so am" Julia cried, "but-but Stevie,
| want to be everything to you"
and SO you are-everything," he an
swered.
you are quite, quite sure?" she cried.
''I am quite sure" he replied, sturdily.
Everything" she persisted.
"Everything," he rejoined. more than
all the world beside, no, more than mill
ion worlds if | could have my choice of
them al"
Julia sighed, sigh full of contentment
and love-it was delightful to her to be
loved like this, and she let her head rest
against his shoulder again IN ineffable
bliss and satisfaction. ut is only because
/ love you so" she SAID, that | am 50
afraid that | am not quite everything to
you that ! want to he. am awfully stu
pid, but l won't be stupid any more
never any more, Stevie."
'"Then kiss me-" cried Stevie, taking ad-
vantage of the situation instantly.
Aud Julia kissed him willingly enoughl
Then they went down stairs together. and
Julia was the gayest Of the gay. and Steph-
en-, as he watched her, blessed her in his
heart aud thanked Heaven terveutly that
he had seen and wooed aud won her for
his very own.
Nor was he careful 10 hide what he felt.
81 don't know whether you noticed it,
Marky." said Mrs. Oxford to her husband
whilst they were dressing for dinner, but
Julia's husband is perfectly gone, upon
her, he is awfully in love with her yet,
Isn't it wonderiul"
"Yes-wonderful, think so every time
l look at her." answered Marcus Oxford
promptly,
but she Is marycllously improvcd,'
eaid she. quickly, don't yuu think so?"
ooh, dear, yesl she has grown quite
pretty" he said, with decision.
"Aud she has grown SO gentle and good
natured, too MadGc went on. Before
you know, WHOM we were all girls, julia
used to be a bit touchy at times-but now
why she will do anything for Won at all
Just now | asked her where she got that
pretty frilliug she was wearing aud she
said. 4 got it in Regent Street but forgot
the number. I'll look it out and write
you the name down."
Now IL happened just about that time
that Julia Howard had gone up to her
bedroom feeling very happy aud restful,
and lest she should forget 1t afterwards
she went straight to the writing table aHI
turned over a little box of fiuery which
was lying there, until she found the little
bill which had been enclosed with the
frtlling which her cousin had 50 much adj
mired.
Yes, that is it," she said to herself,
III just write the address down ana Sii=e
it TO Madge."
As soon done as thought almost and
Julia laid the sheet of paper on which was
written the address between the leaves of
the blotting-book and smoothed it down
with her hand. In doing so she happened
to notice that the top leaf of the book was
rs nearly rs possible unmarked by ink
stains. "Whyr' she exclaimed, aloud.
that was where Stevic was drawing those
little plans Yes, surely it was"
She turned the leaves of the book over
and over No, there was now not the
least trace OF those little plans. and there
was distinct trace of leaf having been
torn out
How very strange-she turned the book
over and over Yes, it was the same, but
why had Stephen torn the page outp Per
haps he had been drawing idly on the
paper ANA twas not a blotting mark at
all. Anyway it was an oud thing to have
done. and Julia folded the paper on which
the Regent Street address WIS written and
took it to the dressing table feeling very
much puzzled indeed.
CHAPTER NVIIL-DAILY LIFE.
The letter to Mrs Bob which had caused
Julia Howard to shed the first tears that
mad come into her eyes since she was
married (with the exception of the night
when she had sat and Sobbed over David
Garric6'1 reached the little lady at Brent
wood in iue course the following mora
ing Bob and she were early people and
were already half way through their
Breakfast when the poSt-baS came. lone
for you said Bob, handing Stephens let
ter across the table and this-aud this
and this. That's all, madam"
He often called her madam in a Joking
way when they were alone. and Mrs Bob.
who had already opened Stephens letter
and was engruSsed by it, held out her hand
for the other letters witho 1t 50 much as