Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-01-15

He laughed.
''lt's not BILL" he said. ut is u
note, and 1t vexes me. because l shall
have TO change my plans for tonight.
intended TO take you 10 the theater;
now can not do 1t. shall have to
leave you, and, what is moro, shall
not be back until tomorrow night.
I'll send messenger to Uncle James
He will escort you to the theater,
and"
II will not go with your uncle
James," said Mrs. Elliot, sharply.
"You must take mel will not be used
in tn av-you must go with me-"
my :, / can not tell you how it
vexes me 10 have TO leave you," said
Mr.. Elliot.
Frank" she answered, IL have III
ways said that there are some things
which wife should not endure"
Lizzie, my dear, listen; will take
you to the theater tomorrow night or
the night after; we will enjoy our
selves quite as we'll. l think it will
rain tonight, anyhow"
"Do you suppose l am baby to fret
about not seeing playp" said Mrs.
Elliot mo, Frank, only you must
tell me why you brake the engagement
and where you are going"
Business, my dear, business" said
Mr.. Elliot. in an artificial manner.
"rll explain some day. Business is
business; now be quiet and comfort
able like good giri-good night"
He tried to kiss her, but she pushed
him away. Then he took his hat and
overcoat and left the house, with lit
tie laugh not like his own.
Hardly had he passed the threshold
when his wife sprung to her feet,
slipped on an ulster that hung in a
closet in the dining-room hall, donned
little round cap and gray vail, and
sneaked out Of the basement door
sneak is the word.
"She's following him this time," said
Rosa TO the cook.
jealous again." said cook.
Il guess he's giving her reason" said
Rosa.
"It's something dreadful" said cook,
"the way married men go on"
Meanwhile Mrs. Elliot lurked in the
shadow of the stone balustrades, and
saw that her husband stood under the
gas-lamp at the corner examining the
note which he had received.
Well, wherever he went there also
she would go. Whoever he might
meet should also meet her. This was
the end of every thing, the finale.
But she would not weep-she would
have long years for that-she would
behave as an insulted wife should.
He was about TO enter car; she also
hailed it. An ulster and thick vail
reduce all women TO one level. He
would not know her even if he saw her.
She sat in her corner and saw that he
stood on the platform smoking. Which
way the car was going she scarcely no
ticed. He left it at last and entered
another; so did she. Again he smoked
on the platform, but at last: Fort
Lee ferry" shouted the conductor,
and she followed her husband into u
ferryboat. 1t was dark, and though it
did not rain, the air was full of moist
ure. There were very few people upon
the boat, but several OF them were
brutal looking men, and they stared at
her, seeming TO wonder at her thick
vail. She had forgotten her gloves,
and her small, white hands glistened
with rings, some of them very valua-
BILE.
AS she left the ferry, and, following
her husbands figure, crossed the great
track OF railroad, she trombled with
terror. AS he ascepded the bluff she
killed her skirts and followed.
Who could Clara beP What manner
of woman was she to appoint rem
devious like thisp 1t was nasty, slip
perry, unpleasant place. There was a
drinking-salo bard by, which
seemed to be full of rough men. S he
drew so near to her husband that she
could have touched his coat as they
passed this place, but he did
look around. And now 1t began TO
rain In earnest, and the road they had
turned into seemed to be two feet
deep with mud, and still Mr.. Elliot
marched on. She wore upon her feet
pair Of patent. Leather ties, and with
all this climbing and straining of the
shoes the ribbons had come undone.
Suddenly the mud caught at them
with that curious power OF suction
which mud seems to have at times,
and the shoes came of. In vain she
felt around for them, they seemed to
have vanished. Just then:
''Haloow said a voice near her
"what's'the matter with you, young
womanp"
"1-nothing" gasped Mrs. Elliot. A
large policeman stood before her.
This amt no place for young
woman to be kiting around alone" said
the policeman. ''1t's dangerous If
you're decent girl. What's hap
penedp Lost yourself P"
NO" said Mrs. Elliot, 'Pm not
alone; there's my husband. Frank,
FRANK, franks!
Mr.. Elliot turned and walked back.
Left you behind, did /, Lizziep" he
said.
You're a mighty careful husband"
said the policeman, II do think" and
strobe away.
Then Mr.. Elliot, who was large
man, simply picked his little wife up
in his arms and carried her back to
the grounds which enciroled the tavern.
Here he set her down upon a wooden
platform. Then fer moment he
vanished, and returned with glass of
wine which he made Mrs. Elliot drink.
"rve hired cab," he said; "we'll
drive back TO the ferry. It's too
stormy night TO go looking for Clara;
besides, she's thousands OF miles
away"
"Clarar' cried Mrs. Elliot. Don't