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


very pale and worn. She rose when he;
husband entered and gazed at him and
Miss Briar in startled, half frightened
way.
$50 you're back" said Mr.. Greene in
harsh voice.
Mrs. Greene cast her eyes down and
made no reply.
"Where have you been these last three
days9" demanded her husband, sternly.
"Pll-Pll explain, Harry" said Mrs.
Greene, in weak and hesitating way,
"as soon as we're alone"
''She's ashamed to confess before me-"
put in Miss Briar, in an exultant tone.
Mrs. Greene was woman of spirit,
and this taunt reused her blood.
'Pm ashamed to confess where was
before nobody" she answered holly,
'and least Of all before you, whom I 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, as
far as can help it,"
"But in this case you can't help it,
sneered Miss Briar. "I happen to know
where you were. 1t was who told Your
husband. Yes, you have me to thank
for that"
Mrs. Green gazed fiercely at Miss Briar
for q moment. Then, turning to her
husband, she said, Harry, will you pro-
tect me against this woman"
"Where have you been these last three
daysT 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 so particular, my
DEAR" cried Miss Briar. 81 know al
ready where you were. You were at
Rottenboro,p
cts falsel" exclaimed Mrs. Greene,
absolutely false. Is this her last SLAM
der, Harry"
Where were you them" asked Mr..
Greene.
''f must speak, must" Mrs. Greene
answered. II was at Braxby. attending
on poor Joe. He wrote to me last week
that he was i'll, and when you went to
town l ran over to see him. He was so
i'll 1 stayed to nurse him, but he grew
worse and worse until--until last night
the poor boy diedl' And here Mrs,
Greene flung herself back into her chair,
and covering her face burst into flood
of tears.
The husband stood silent, lost in be-
wilderment and shame. But Mass Briar
retained at once her GOODNESS and her
boldness.
"Ah, aha very nice talep' she said,
with n smile. "But how did it happen,
Mrs. Greene, ify you were at Braxby, that
your letters came from Rottenboro2"
".rhey did notl" cried Mrs. Greene, fir
ing up again at the sound of Miss Briar's
voice.
"Just look at thatl" and Miss Briar
handed Mrs. Greene the letter with the
Rottenboro postmark on it,
"That-thatw cried Mrs. Greene, look
ing startled and confused.
YES, pray explain THAR said Miss
Briar, smiling in triumph.
why, that" exclaimed Mrs. Greene,
while flash of intelligence passed over
her face. "Why, that is one of the let
tesp ss5ave yo1l to post. Harry"
Mr.. Greene was in turn startled. He
took the letter from his wife and looked
at the postmark again. True enough, 1t
was posted on the I'd inst. the day he left
for London. 1t must be one of the let
ters which he gave the porter to post at
Rottenboro station.
"How 1t got posted at Rottenboro
don't know said Mrs. Greene. 'All 4
know is that l gave it to you to post
about week ago."
IL forgot to post those letters" fall
tered Mr.. Greene, until found them in
my pocket when l was going to town.
gave them to porter at Rottenboro sta
ton TO post for me-" As he said this,
Mr.. Greene felt very like fool, and also
very mad at himself for being one.
"Ah," CALCULATED Miss Briar contemp-
tuously, you are always trying to screen
your wife. You should DO ashamed of
yourself"
Greene, delighted to find some one to
vent his vexation on, 'you have been the
curse Of my life since l married, and
intend to have no more of you. But for
your snakelike interference and insidious
meddling all this folly would not have
happened. Leave me-leave us-and
never let us see your face again"
Turning to his wife, Mr.. Greene said
in broken voice. "Can you forgive me,
Maggief"
81 can forgive anything" was the re-
ply, ''now she Is gone. True Flag.
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