The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-10-07
HIS WIFES LETTERS.

AS the train steamed slowly out of
Snobton station Mr.. Greene flung him
self into the corner of his compartment
with groan.
"What between this internal lawsuit
and one thing and another, he muttered
to himself, 81 believe I'm half out of my
wits. For the last three days have
been in such muddled state of mind
that should not be surprised to find
that had forgotten half the necessary
papers. Let me just see now" And he
opened his handbag and began to ex-
anime the documents in it. N9EI
While he is thus engaged the causes of
his perturbation Of spirit may be stated.
In the first place, as he himself said, he
had lawsuit on hand--cause enough in
itself to make o man uncomfortable.
This trouble had been brought upon
him, too, by the misconduct of a rela-
tive. That scapegrace Joe News, his
wife's brother, had, by inducing him to
back some bills, got himinto the clutches
of money lender, out of which he was
not likely to get without considerable
loss. This had not unnaturally led to
complete breach between Mr.. Greene
and Joe, and certain GOODNESS between
Mr.. Green and his wife. But even this
did not constitute the whole of Mr..
Greene's troubles, though for the rest he
himself was largely to blame. He had
long been very jealous of Mrs. Greene.
AT one time, perhaps, the lady gave him
some cause for this. She had been
brought up at Rottenboro-the next
station to Snobton on the line between
Snobton and London-which was gar
rison town, and there she had seen
good deal Of the officers, and like most
young women, had an inordinate adj
miration for them. After her mar
riage this admiration continued, and the
frequency of her visits to Rottenboro
were constant source of discomfort to
Mr.. Greene. Knowing as she did her
hesba.its'E 51gsdgous nature, HRS.
Greene was, to say the least of it, not
wise in visiting Rottenboro SO often.
Yet her conduct would never have led
to any actual quarrel but for the inter-
meddling of an old maiden half sister of
Mr.. Greene's.
Miss Rose Briar was one of thosa
ancient scandal mongers who, being dis
appointed in life themselves, are never
so happy as when they are making other
people miserable. 1t was her breath that
blew Mr.. Greene's smouldering jealousy
into fame. 1t was she who retailed to
him fearfully exaggerated reports of his
wife's doings in Rottenboro, and who
put q criminal aspect on what was, at
worst, mere thoughtless folly. However,
80 much were Mr.. Greene's feelings
worked upon by Miss Briar, that he at
last peremptorily forbade his wife to 90
to Rottenboro again without his consent.
Mrs. Greene at first received this order
with strong show of rebellion: but,
after time, seeing her husband was in
earnest, she settled down in sulky obe-
Hence to 1t.
Such was the condition Of things when
Mr.. Greene was informed one day by his
solicitor that his lawsuit would come on
for trial within the next three days. In
view of the position of affairs, Mr.. Greene
naturally felt uneasy at the prospect Of
leaving home for several days, with no
one to look after his wife. He resolved,
therefore, to meet the difficulty by taking
her to London with him To his amaze
ment, however, when he proposed this to
her, she point blank refused to go. After
trying in vain to persuade her, he ac-
cordingly had to leave her at home. But
now let us return to him and his search
over the papers in his handbag
"Ay, ay," he muttered to himself,
when he had finished that operation,
"it's just as expected. Ihave forgotten
all Svendeleri's letters to Joe." Svendel-
eri was the money lender, and the plain
tiff in Mr.. Greene's action. Perhaps /
put them in my pocket"
Mr.. Greene brought number of let !
ters out of his pocket and looked at
chem.
mo, no." he said to himself. They're
not here, but what's this? Why, some
letters Maggie gave me to post yester-
day, and have never thought of them
since. They are sure not to be Of much
importance, but perhaps I'd better post
them at the next station and telegraph
to Maggie at the same time to forward
Svendeleri's letters Let me see-yes,
they must still be In my writing table at
home"
At the next station Mr.. Greene handed
a porter the letters and telegram and q
shilling, and with mind somewhat re-
heved he settled down in his seat and
tried to divert his attention from his wor-
ries and fears by careful perusal of
that days paper. When he reached
London he left his baggage at the Euston
hotel and drove without delay to his 30
hcitor's Office. There he was pleased to
learn that though his case was In the
next days list, still, as it was last. 1t
would probably not come on until the
day following. "Pm glad of that" said
Mr.. Greene to himself; at will give
Maggie time to send on the letters"
The next morning, to Mr.. Greene's dis
appointment. Svendeleri's letters did
not arrive. Most vexing, I wonder
how it is," grumbled Mr.. Greene. lisa
fortunate thing, though, that the case Is
not likely to come on today"
Not only did the case not come on ON |
that day, but preceding day tailed out |
so long that it became exceedingly un-
likely that 1t would come on even the |
next day. 1t was still third on the list. |
The next morning Mr.. Greene nat
urally expected to find Svendeleri's let
tiers awaiting him. To his surprise and |
annoyance, however, they had not ar