The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-10-22

thoughtfully de saw his client was In
earnest After . moments reflection.
be said: well. I'm not sure but settling
would be better than fighting. Yousee.
Svendeleri 10 pretty sure to win. but he
doesn't want TO be shown up. 30 think.
in order to keep his dirty work private,
be would conceds . good deal. Just
come over to court for i've minutes, and
well see II we can't arrange matters"
Reluctantly Mr.. Greene went over. A
hurried consultation took place between
solicitor and council. and then between
the counsel ON each side. His lordship
was little late in taking his seat, but
even then terms had not been settled,
and counsel asked for . few minutes to
zee whether It would be possible to save
the trial Both bis lortiship and Mr.
Greene were getting impatient, when
counsel announced that terms had been
arranged Mr.. Greene was to pay half
5vendeleri's claim.- and each party {,
bear his own costs.
"very favorable terms" Whispered
Mr.. Morcraft to Mr.. Greene. rs the lat
ter rose to hurry ont Of the court. By
not fighting it you saved q cool thou
sand"
Mr.. Greene at that moment did not
care . farthing whether he had gained
or lost. All he wanted was to catch thr
l1:30 to Snobton, and all he hoped for
was that Miss Rose Briar would turn oct
to be mistaken.
On arriving at Snobton Mr.. Greene
drove first to his half sisters lodgings
Mis- Briar was in She received him
with q face in which an assumption 81
sorrow and pity only accumulated the IT,
tent look Of joy. She showed him the
letter The postmark was unquestioni-
bly, Rottenboro.
"Come with me- said Mr.. Greene.
IF she denies II III confront her with
you
with pleasure cried Miss Briar.
and there was no doubt she spoke the
truth.
When they reached Mr.. Greene's house
the couple walked into the drawing
room In chair near the center OF the
room Mrs. Greene was seated, looking
very pale and worn. She rose when her
husband entered and gazed at him and
Miss Briar in startled. half frightened
way.
$50 you're back" said Mr.. Greene in
Q harsh voice.
Mrs. Greene cast her eyes down and
made no reply.
Where have you been these last three
days." demanded her husband. sternly.
"T1l-I'll explain, Harry" said Mrs
Greene, in a weak and hesitating way
las soon as we're alone"
"She's ashamed to confess before me.
put in Miss Briar. in an exultant tone.
Mrs. Greene was a woman Of spirit
and this taunt reused her blood.
"rm ashamed to confess where was
before nobody" she answered holly.
land least Of all before you. whom de-
spise. But you know too much about
our private affairs already, and I'm re-
solved that you shall not have another
opportunity of gossiping about them. rs
far as can help it."
"But in this case you can't help it.
sneered Miss Briar. 81 happen to know
where you were. II was who told your
husband. Yes. you have me to thank
for that
Mrs. Green gazed fiercely at Miss Briar
for a moment Then, turning to her
husband, she said, Harry. will you pro
tect me against this woman"
'Where have you been these last three
days. demanded Mr.. Green again. with
out attending to his wife's request
81 refuse to answer you while she Ia
present" replied Mrs. Greene.
"You needn't be 90 particular. my
DEAR cried Miss Briar. II know al
ready where You were. You were at
Rottenboro."
"It's false!" exclaimed Mrs. Greene,
absolutely false. Is this her last SIAN
der, Harry"
Where were you Them asked Mr.
Greene.
IF must speak, must" Mrs. Greene
answered. IL was at Braxby. attending
on poor Joe. He wrote to me last week
that he was i'll. and when you went to
town ran over to see him. He was so
i'll l stayed to nurse him, but he grew
worse and worse until-until last night
the poor boy diedr' And here Mrs
Greene flung herself back into her chair,
and covering her face burst isto food
Of tears.
The husband stood silent, lost in be-
wilderment and shame. But Miss Briar
retained at once her GOODNESS and her
boldness.
"Ah, aha very nice taller she said.
with a smile But how did it happen,
Mrs Greene, If you were at Braxby, tina:
your letters came from Rottenboroy'
"They did notl' cried Mrs Greene, fir
ing up again at the sound of Miss Briar's
voice.
"Just look at THAR and Miss Briar
handed Mrs. Greene the letter with the
Rottenboro postmark on it.
"That-thatr'c cried Mrs Greene. look
ing startled and confused
"Yes, pray explain THAR said Miss
Briar, smiling in triumph.
"Why, that" exclaimed Mrs Greene,
while fash of intelligence passed over
her face. "Why, that is one of the let
tiers gave you to post, Harry"
Mr.. Greene was in turn startled. He
took the letter from his wife and looked
at the postmark again. True enough, it
was posted on the I'd inst.-the day he left
for London. It must be one of the let
tiers which he gave the porter to post at
Rottenboro station.
"How 1t got posted at Rottenboro I
don't know" said Mrs. Greene. "All
know is that gave it to you to post
about q week ago"
IL forgot to post those letters, !" fall
tered Mr.. Greene, until found them in
my pocket when ! was going to town. |
gave them to a porter at Rottenboro sta
ton 10 post for me-" As he said this,
Mr.. Greene felt very like a fool, and also
very mad at himself for being one.
"Ah," CALCULATED Miss Briar coDtemp-
tuously, lyon are always trying to screen
your wife You should be ashamed of
yourself"
Look here, Rose Briarr cried Mr.
Greene, delighted to find some one to
vent his vexation on, ''you have been the
curse of my life since | married, and