Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-21

suit of this manoeuver was a complicated
series Of sCmersaults. which landed him
IN heap on the floor of the station: from
Which he gathered himself up just in time
to see his own train disappear In the dis
lance.
This involved three hours wait, dur.
ing 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 little while TO summon up
| courage to enter.
In the parlor sat his wife. bolt upright
in chair by the table, reading the FAINT
ly bible-an ominous sign.
My dear he futtered in his meekest
tones. Il missed my train. and have just
arrived | trust you have not been wor-
rying aboutme"
Mrs. Coddleman on his entrance slowly
closed the bible, laid it on the table. fold
| ed her.hands before her, and waited.
Matthias began to get nervous. Has
has not your sister come. my love?" he
| asked hesitatingly.
''Wretchr' returned his spouse, and dis
solved into tears.
.'W hat is the matter, my angelo" he in
quired IN vain attempt to appear at
ease.
Monster" she calculated, and swept
by him, out of the room and up stairs:
and this was the extent of their conversa-
ton for that night. By personal observa-
ton he discovered that her sister had not
yet arrived, but of the circumstances he
could learn nothing.
At breakfast the next morning Mrs,
Coddleman wore the expression of a mar
tyr undergoing torture; she poured the
coffee wltG Christian resignation beauti-
ful to see; and the manner in which she
passed her husband the butter would have
brought tears to the most hard hearted.
Mr.. Coddieman determined to make bold
break, and summoning up all MS courage,
addressed his wife:
my DEAR" he said, Il fear you did not
rightly understand the events Of yester-
day; in short, that, that
No explanation can avail, Matthias, |
saw it all"
Saw all what, my love?"
do not attempt to deny it. | saw you
when you passed through the rear car,
though you did not see me; followed you
into the front one to speak to you, and saw
you meet that odicus woman-by appoint
ment. We no doubt. | saw you devote your
self to her, and finally go off with her, |
dom know where. It was we'll for her
that was without my glasses and could
not see her to know her, Or"
Just at that moment a carriage laden
with trunks drove up to the door.
'Ihere is your sister, my love-" said
Matthias. For heavens sake. sdon' t let's
have a family row just as she is arriv-
ing"
''Coward!' replied his wife, and left the
room. Mr. Coddeman groaned and await
ed results in the dining room. He now
heard the voice of hi 5 sister-in-law in the
hall; it sounded familiar
my darling, what happiness this ISL
she cried Il thought [ should never get
here, for could not find you at the sta
ton, and one of the stupidest men you ever
saw offered to help me, and put me on the
wrong train, and sent me off ever so far.
L got the name of your town mixed up, to
be sure, and told him | wanted to go to
Beliville instead of Belmont, but he
ought to have known even if [ didn't;
men are so dull-why, that's the very
mani" she gasped, as she entered the din,
lng-rOOm; "Who is hep"
That, y replied Mrs Matthias, smiling
for the first time that day-a smile in
which surprise anu relief were curiously
mingled-''that is my husband"