The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-18
THE ANONYMOUS
LETTER.

were one of the amusements OF the fashion
able world.
was Young and foolish then, as well as
full of high spirits, and ready Tor any 1un
or frolic that might chance to come In my
way.
l had been married nearly two years
Happily married, for as the months went
nv | learned to love my husband even moro
than during the blissful days Of our honey
moon. and dear John never gave me one
moments cause to doubt his perfect devo-
ton.
Am oug many pleasant friends possessed
was one, young widow, who was con-
stantly my companion when John was
obliged to be away on matters connected
with his business.
think now that Mrs. Duckworth must
have had some very bitter experiences dur
ing her short married life. She used to
make such cynical speeches about men, and
really seemed quite sceptical about the eX-
istance Of any virtue at all in the opposite
sex.
She was still young and beautiful, al
though older than /, much cleverer. and
much more versed in the ways Of the world.
Though | often disliked her remarks ana
the tone of authority she was fond oil as
suming with me, did not venture often To
argue with her. 800
was TO be masked ball. My husband haq
promised to take me and looked lolWaru
to il with delighted anticipation.
1t was arranged that Mrs. Duckworth
should go with us and that we should all
wear lovely and most becoming costumes cl
the time of Charles l.
Three DAYS before the ball was to take
place Mrs. DuckwOrth called on Inc to
make some final arrangements ABOUT our
dresses. :,
After chatting some time on that alien
crossing subject we began discussing other
Presently I said: Wont John make
splendid cavalier"
Mrs. Duckworth assented.
Then, like fond and foolish wife that
was, | went on to eXtOl all John nne quail
tiles of heart and mind.
"Ahl Molly, dear, you are young YET" y
Mrs. Duckworth said, with a smile OF
amusement at my enthusiasm. ~ on may
live to find that your paragon OF husband
is no better than other men"
IF you mean that John VIII ever pc
tickle or faithlesS," l answered warmly,
am sure you are wrong. l can answer for
Johns faith as for my own"
My companion shook her head.
They are all alike" she said, with the
ironlcal smile which always trrltated me so
mQcf, some OF tueu are KIM ana SeueI-
Gus, | admit but they are all ready for any
foolish Irritation that offers. The best of
them are weak and inconstant II once they
come in the way of temptation. Happily
temptation does not assail all of them"
'IioW can you talk SOP" / cried. II am
sure no matter what temptation John was
placed under he would always be faithful
and true to me-"
ut remains to be proved" Mrs Duck
worth said. 81 hope and trust, Molly, your
confidence is not misplaced"
Il know it is not, and | will find some
way to prove TO you my husbands con-
stancy, you unbeliever.'
Mrs. Duckworth laughed. She said no
more Oh the subject and soon took her
leave.
Her words ranked in my heart when she
was gone, and all at once plan flashed
through my mind by which l might prove
my husbands fidelity and convince even
- Mrs. Duckworth OF one mans immaculate
virtue.
l at once set about carrying out my de-
sign. wrote letter in feigned hand
writing. did not ind this difficult task.
The power Of Initiating the handwriting of
others has always been one Of my accom-
plishments.
Yet made many attempts before wrote
q letter which satisfied me, aud then not be-
fore l had exhausted all the stock of letter
paper in my wrltiug-case and was reduced
to my last sheet.
The letter ran thus:
Mr.. Vernon VIII be greatly surprised 10 receive
this letter. Tie wriis has but one excuse TO
oner for the unusua! holiness OF her aet-the ex-
cuse that Size loves him. She Is also encouraged
by the conviction that mir. Vernon Is unhappy.
One who loves ana uDderSi ands him begs him TO
meet her al The masquerade next THURSDAY even
ing In order that tine writer may easily IecOg-
DiZe him he is requested to wear a dalk-blu6
domino with red satin favor attached to the
right shoulder. The lady will wear a domino
similar In color. The utmost cautlOn is
sary. 'Mr. Vernon must find some pretext to pre-
vent The attendance OF his wife at the ball He
might Inform her that he is obliged to take
journey and is therefore unable 10 be present at
lie masquerade. The UNKNOWN.
Iconcluded hastily, for fancied l could
hear Johns step on the stairs. He must
not see me writing He would be sure to
question me as to whom my epistle was for.
Then l addressed the letter in my as
sumed handwriting
took care to slip it into the post myself.
] could trust no hands but my own.
We were at breakfast the next morning
when the p0stman came. When the maid
brought in the letters l looked anxiously to
see il mine was among them.
Yes, there it was, actually, in Johns
hand. l was so frightened l almost
dropped the teapot, from which | was just
filling the cups-my hands trembled so.
Luckily my husband was busy studying
the outside Of his correspondence and did
not observe my confusion.
According to his usual habit he did not
open his letters while still at the table, but
carried them off with him to his study to
read at his leisure. What would he do
with my missive, l wondered. Would he
bring it at once for me to read and laugh
at? Perhaps he would think it beneath his
notice, or. imagining it might annoy me,
would burn ii as soon as read.
The morning passed. John came into my
room once or twice, but made no allusion
N laffa l.
about his correspondence lest | should be-
tray myself. At last l had made up my
mind that he had destroyed the letter and
that would think no more about It. When
the masquerade was over, PERHAPS | would
confess my foolish act, which had already
begun TO regret. wondered whether John
would be angry or only laugh.
At dinner that evening John seemed in
unusually good spirits, and chatted pleas
antly about the news Of the day. Presently
he broke off to say, in his coolest. calmest
manner.
Il am so sorry, Molly darling but l am
afraid l shall not be able to take you to the
masquerade tomorrow night l have seen
tombstone this afternoon, and he says it is
most important that | should see Mr. Rob
1nson. lie Will be in EPSON tomorrow
evening, and | must 60 down there and
meet. him. Johnstone will not answer for
the consequences if do not go. Don't look
SO unhappy. Molly; there are worse trials
Al IlIts Sultly, LDdlI uuAoSllrB dlndSQQeTaOeI"
What was lie saying? What could he
mean? The room seemed TO 60 round. l
felt miserable enough; no wonder l looked
unhappy.
~ am very sorry. little woman. Is it such
q dreadful disappointment" John con-
tinued, as | did not answer.
i began to recover a little. Itwould never
do TO give way at once in this cowardy
fashion.
''Oh, john" / cried, hardly able to con-
troll my emotion, do not go! Why should
you take that long, dreary journey? Stay
with me, and l promise you l will give up
the ball and remain at home with you"
No, Molly, l really must go. You do not
understand how much depends on my see
Ing MIR. Robinson myself, and the opp0rtun-
ity may not occur again. / confess it is
very unfortunate, and a great disappoint-
ment for you. But what can l do?"
IF you really cannot go, let me go with
Mrs. Duckworth alone. There are sure to
be plenty of people there we know. and
really there is nothing improper in our
going without you"
mo, Molly dearest, cannot let Won
appear at such public assembly as a
masked ball without your own proper
protector"