, 1891-08-20
HIS WIFE'S LETTERS.

As the train steamed slowly out Of
Snobton station Mr.. Greene flung him
self into the corner of his compartment
with a 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 a 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.
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 a lawsuit on hand-cause enough in
itself to make n 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 MIN into the clutches
of a money lender, out of which he was
not likely to get without considerable
loss. This had not unnaturally led to a
complete breach between Mr.. Greene
and Joe, and a certain GOODNESS between
Mr.. Green and his wife. But ever 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 IL 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 n gar
rison town, and there she had seen n
good deal of the officers. and like most
young women, had an inordinate ad-
miration for them. After her mar
riage this admiration continued, and the
frequency of her visits to Rottenboro
were II constant source of discomfort to
Nh. Greene. Knowing as she did her
husbands suspicious nature, Mrs.
Greene was, to say the least of it, not
wise in visiting Rottenboro so often.
Yet her conduct would never AVE 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 those
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 s"mouldering jealousy
into n flame. 1t was she who retailed to
him fearfully exaggerated reports of his
wife's doings in Rottenboro, and who
put a criminal aspect on what was, at
worst, mere thoughtless folly. However,
so much were Mr.. Greene's feelings
worked upon by Miss Briar, that he ut
last peremptorily forbade his wife to go
to Rottenboro again without his consent.
Mrs. Greene at first received this order
with a strong show of rebellion; but,
after n time, seeing her husband was in
earnest, she settled down in sulky ODE
dience to it.
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
HtE, BIG punt Dlllh uSGu W 10. AllGT
trying in vain to persuade her, he &C
cordingly had to leave her at home. But
now let us return to him and his search
over the papers in his handbag.
GAY, ay," he muttered to himself,
when he had finished hat operation,
tits just as | expected. have forgotten
all Svcndeleri'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 a number of let
tiers out of his pocket and looked at
them.
mo, no." he said to himself. They're
not here, but what's this2 Why, some
letters Maggie gave me to post yester-
day. and | AVE 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
n porter tine letters and telegram and q
shilling, n with n mind somewhat re-
lieved he settled down in his seat and
tried to divert his attention from his wor-
ries and fears by a careful perusal of
that days paper. When he reached
London he left his baggage at the Euston
hotel and drove without delay to his 80
~licitor's Office. There he was pleased tc
learn that though his case was in the
next days list, still, as it was last, il
would probably not come on until the
day following. I'm glad of that" sale
Mr.. Greene to himself; lit will Civ,
Maggie time to send ON the letters"
The next morning to MIR Greene's dis