Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-05

You are really quite dramatic. If
Casper Fenton is so dreadfully wicked
why, your favorite, Mrs. Monroe with
her over-abundant supply of goodness.
restores the balance"
Norman turned very white, but re-
manned speechless. He followed her
back to the crowded rooms. As they
entered Fenton met them saying,
Really, Miss May hew, / began to
think you had deserted me. Our waltz
is just going to begin"
She took his arm, her overweening
pride eXultant at thus defving her
lover.
Norman did not come near her
again during the evening; but when
she descended the stairs. shawled and
wrapped for home, he stood ready to
conduct her to the carriage. The
drive home was a silent one. Mrs
Monroe, still excited by her unusual
dissipation. chirruped merrily about
the pleasures she had received; but the
grim silence Of her companions quick
ly quenched her Pickering gayety and
she sank back in the carriage Cypress
ed, she knew not why.
Arriving home, Norman conducted
the ladies to the house, and, with
cool goodnight. retired.
Putting on his dignity" said Jose
phine to herself as she went up to her
room.
Next morning, after a restless night,
a note was presented to her which. on
opening, made her flush with anger
and surprise. 1t ran as follows:
MISS MAYHEM:
u find that / was implicitly mistaken in
your character. We could never be happy to-
gether, and / shall consider our engagement
annulied. Yours, etc,
NORMAN REMINGTON"
A variety of emotions struggled in
her heart; she had loved Norman Rem
ington passiOnately. Pampered and
spoiled as she had always been, she
had never once thought that her rebel
lious folly would lead to this. Pride
and resentment were dominant traits
in her character and she exclaimed,
He doubtless thinks that he has in
hcted the direst punishment upon me
for opposing his wishes and means to
return to me when he presumes [ am
sufficiently humiliated; but he shall
learn his mistake. When he next adj
dresses me it will be as Mrs. Casper
Fenton."
One month after the eventful ball
Josephine married Casper Fenton. 1t
was a brilliant affair. and the young
couple started off ca their wedding
tour with all the pomp of circumstance
which wealth affords.
Two years of unmitigated misery
passed away. Josephine's revengeful
act had recOied upon herself. Her
husband had proved to be more despic-
able than Remington had assumed.
Restraint no longer necessary, he at
tempted no concealment of his evil
companionship or his immoral prac-
tees. Nightly he either held an orgie
at home with companions as brutal as
himself or went abroad to some den of
no doubtful character. He had long
since ceased to treat his wife with any
semblance of respect. He tainted her
with coarse illusions to her love for
Remington, which he knew she still
cherished, and never ceased to worry
her for sums of money.
One cold, wretched dav in winter, as
she sat by the window, gazing YEARLY
out at the wildly drifting snow, her
husband entered, and taking a seat be-
side her he said, You do not look
well. Josephine"
Indeed | am quite we'll" she re-
piled; for she would never acknowl-
edge to him her increasing WEAKNESS.
She well knew that he would rejoice
rather than weep over her death.
No, you are not well, and have not
been for some time. You should see
physician"
Yes, and make my will, I SUPPOSED"
she added maliciously.
A look of hatred flashed from his
eyes. but he answered quietly, Il did
not mean that, but it is certainly every
ones duty, who has much property. to
make a will"
You are wonderfully anxious for
my DEATH she said, bitterly How
ever she continued with the SEM
bIance of resignation, perhaps it
would be as well. If you will bring
an attorney here this afternoon l will
ease your mind, if not my own"
His eye sparkled with this unex-
Uectcd compliance. and he said, unhes-
itatinglv, and dare will you-.n
oh" she said, quickly, Ito whom
should leave my property if not to
youP | have no near relatives or
friends"
With a countenance radiant with ILL
suppressed JOY he took her hand and
said:
My dear wife, hope you may live
long to enjoy your wealth. | see
have mistaken you, and | humbly beg
your forgiveness for my harShness
toward you. You see," he continued,
Il was madly jealous of that Reming-
ton, and feared you still cherished his
memory, and it made me act unbecom-
ingly. But after such an unmistaka-
BILE evidence of your love | can doubt
no longer. | shall return presently
with lawyer" Aud he hastily left
the room.
Josephine cast ScOrnIuI, maHgnanJ
glance at the retreating figure of her
husband.
Fool! does he think to blind me
with his maudlin sentiment? l will
outwit him yet"
Fenton. fearing to let her resolution
cool, soon returned with lawyer, and
a will was quickly drawn up and at
tested and signed. This will jose
phine gave to her husband with every
appearance of satisfaction, and Fenton,
locking it securely in his private sec
retarv, muttered exultantly: Il never
hoped to secure it so easily. 1t shall
now be my care to see that she makes
no other
But Josephine was a match for his
cunning. The very next morning she
had another will drawn up. leaving
everything to some distant relative
whom she had never seen.