The Somerset reporter., 1891-08-27

\, they came nearer, sae saw that they
were the Young people belonging - seg-
cral families in ths ueisa5orh1oi, all u
whom had call on her aud al whose house
she had visited.
Elizabeth stood her ground.
"ibere is no use In retreatug into the
wood, $ she told herself they would on
/ ly f9l9w and hunt me up. / must suo.
nit
SIZE did -o very lawi'hogly, however,
for she did not FEEL in the least lie see.
/ lrs strangers ,he consoled herself by
thns!ng that tney probably had some
objecs IN yiew and would soon 20 on
ID IT way. She vas disappointed in this,
for no sooner had greetings been eX-
changed than the foremost OF the party
Miss Earle Young lady to whom
Eli iheth had taken quite a fancy and
who vas a faYgrite OF Mrs. Clifton s.
cried out;
"How lucky! We were just coming to
the honsc after you. We mad planned a
p.cuic for to day, but yesterdays storm
mas made tEe woods too damp, so we
have decided to take straw ride instead,
lou must comet il great finland your
husband too; isn't lac at homer
mir. Chiffon was called away to-day on
business answered Elizabeth, aud ] m
afraid | can't leave mother for any
length Of time.
Bur the party would not accep. this OK
Cuse. Mrs. Chiffon the elder was used 10
being alone hey knew that AMI she
young Mrs. Clifton must be lonely, with
her husband away.
P,o.eslatiJus were useless; 80 finally,
seeing there was no way OF escape, Ella.
5eth yielded gracefully, only stipulating
hat she must tell her mother u-lsw
Where she WAS going. Two OF three of
the aFty wanted to 20 IN her stead, but
his She positively refused to allow.
There was farm short distance p the
road, where their conveyance awaited
Them, and Mrs. Clifton agreed to meet
Them there. some OF the people would
lave insisted on accompanying her; but
being possessed Of quick intuition, and
diyining that the young bride was in no
mood for company, Miss Earle dragged
the whole party toward the meeting place
.,aving Elizabeth to hurry home alone.
''lf they have had Il till, she had better
forget her misery in company, after she
has had time TO recover herself, WAS
Miss Etrle's wise reflection.
lbuhS MIs. I ION luIOILutu ueT UDtu-
er-!nlaw OF the invitation, which she was
Jr course urged 10 accept, said good ny,
and went 10 her own room To make some
changes in her toilet. She fingered over
The process As long as possible, putting
of the moment Of joining the merry
makers until she felt she must 90. Then
she started ont Al a very laggard pace.
Hardly had Elizabeth entered her room,
when her husband knocked at his moth
cr's door.
"Why, Henry! you have got back very
carly cried the invalid in her surprise
when her son appeared in answer to her
Come in
Yes Omsby WAS away, couldn't do
mythug. | shall have 10 90 tomorrow,
Mr. Clifton answered. az he stopped to
Kiss the face upturned to his. "lf
ladn known you expected me- home this
evening, | would have remained all
night
This total ignoring Of his VII, startled
Mrs. Clifton, aud one look into her sons
stern face strengthened her fears.
Poor babies! they must not really
quarrel she thought and then she
spoke.
Henry nv dear boy. she said gently,
iii you and Elizabeth have hada disagree.
mcnt, hud her at once and make it up.
Don't let it go on heseech YOU
Mother, it is much worse than dis
'greement Has she said anything to
YOU" was the reply.
Nothing, my son, aud do not with to
know; it is entirely between you two. |
Deg you to do as | say
There was silence for a Monent or
two, and then Henry asked gloomily;
Where is Eli1shetht'
Mrs. Clifton explained her daughter in
laws whereabouts, adding;
III you 20 at once, Henry, you may be
able to overtake her before She reaches
The rest of the part
An instnnt's hesitation, and with an
abrupt good-by, the Young man left the
coon, while his mother leaned back with
IN air of relief
at will surely all come right now, she
told herself.
Young Mrs. Clifton was just leaving the
wood to set out on the hi.h.ruad toward
.he farm, when sha hesrd her Lame clil-
I'd in Il voice that she rocJgn zei al once
AS her husbands though the tone was new
70 her ears She waited until he came mp
20 where she stood. Then, in a very
ceremoniuus manner, he accounted for
his unexpected appearance. In tone
equally cold, Elizabeth Informed him
where she was going, pointing toward
the farm house as she spoke.
Young Mr. Clifton had removed his hat
md held it in his hand when addressing
MS wife; but sudden cold gust of wind
made him put it on again. After she had
finished speaking, he said gravcB.
elizabeth, have something to say 10
Won: will you give up this pleasure party,
# | make your excuses to them, and
listen to me for a few minntes|
The idea of giving up the pleasure
oarty struck Young Mrs. Clifton with
sense of bitter absurtity. For moment,
A spirit of defiance possessed her, and the
answer "No' trembled on her lip. In
hat short space of time, her life's happi-
ness perhaps hung in the balance.
81 Will wait here Elizabeth said at
last, and lifting his hat very ceremoni-
ousIv. her husband, with formal Thank
You. walked raaiily up the road.
The minutes seemed ike hours until he
returned. Elizabeth stood motionless
lust where he had left her. He came up
close and looked her keenly into her
face.
81 have letter here | would like you
To read" he said in horribly judicial
tones; .nut FIRST let me explain how it
came into my possession. II you Will
look at tac address, you will notice that
the word Mrs, is written very much like
'Mr.'-tha : is hardly noticeable. Jane
gave it to me this morning with my mail
| hastily broke it open without even
glanciug ST the outside, not heirg a wo
man, aud-pcrhap, you can exp ain the
rest -
Elizabeth received the extended envel-
one mechanically, looked at the direction,
aud then took out the enclosure-two
sht cts of closely written note paper
looked at that and then up at her hus-
band.
~ have not read it ALL he sad, in a
very quiet tone,
perhaps if YOU had, you would have
seen 1t was not for me-" his wife answer
ed. Just as quietly.
Elizabu,h felt only a terrible anger-all
other feelings seemed in allowance. She
looked At the letter again, while her tus-
band watched her in dull ans cement.
What did his meanp Was it guilt or in.
uocencc:
Suddenly it dashed over her what her
husband must have felt when he saw the
words Of endearme mt on the page-"My
own darling"-must have stared ut him
the instant he unfolded the sheet.
Henry she began, lifting her clear
eyes to his, "if you had shown me this
before you we1t away"
II had not time" he hastily interrupt
ed.
But she went on, without needing him
at would have saved us both very I'M
happy morning. l have been foolish,
know that, and so did not dare to tell
you. Henry that letter was intended for
Cousin Kate Ashton. See, the signature
is Edward st. Clair Don't you remem.
har ha 7 In love With her hut the fami.