The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1892-04-28
-MY--FOOLISH JEALOUSY.
It Led Me to Doubt True ana
Loving Husband.


We We been married Just a twelve
month-eeme next Friday haven't we,
Jennie?'' 4.---,sss..
lust a twelvemonth, J6hn!'
He was standing in the doorway, my
handsome young husband, his dinner
basket on his arm, his honest eyes all
aglow- with love and delight
Just a twelvemonth, and now I've
got baby as we'll as wife. oh, Jennie,
grille, I'm the happiest man alive!
Come here and kiss me before go. and
you on the anniversary OF our wedding
day?p
What's the use," said, as received
his kiss; you know you haven't an
extra dollar to spare"
Sol do; but we'll play at make
believe, as the children do. What
would you like to have, provided you
could have it? Speak out, girliep'
laughed, and fell to thinking.
Let me see. There's so many things
want, John, it's hard to decide; but
think I'll take that dress pattern of
brown silk, that we looked at down at
Wilson's the other day"
''AEl right and what for baby?''
a christening robe, of course
My hus bands brown eyes danced.
Poor Jennie he said, "I'm afraid
you'll not get 'em, unless we keep up
our game Of make believe. By-by;
take good care of Blossom"
And, with another kiss for us both,
gone,
got baby to sleep, and fell to work,
cleaning my kitchen and baking tarts.
We could not afford TO keep a servant,
Johns wages being small, and / had
all the homework on my hands; but
did not mind it at all. / loved my hus-
band, and he loved me, and u happier
couple did not live.
In the midst of my busy work, in
comes Miss Dorcas Dent, an old friend
of my mothers. An old maid, too, was
Miss Dorcas, great scoffer at matri-
mony, and at mankind in general
$50 you're hard at it, Jennie" she
said, sitting down, and throwing back
I her bonnet-strings, land. drudging
yourself to death, and that child on
your hands, tool Such trim, hand
some lass as You used to be, and look
at you now! poor, tagged slattern!
What fool We were to marry, Jenniel
Weren't We, now?"
mo, indeed, Miss Dorcas; Id do the
same thing over again tomorrow.
''Pah! Such simpletons as you lasses
are. Well, you'll open your eyes to the
truth soon enough. Working your
hands to the bone, and spelling your
good looks, as II any man that ever had
breath was worth it. ! say, why don't
John, supply hired girl?"
He can't afford it, Miss Dorcas"
Cant he? Maybe not. Has to
squander too much on his own pleas
ures, does hep"
No indeed, 81 answered, indig
nantly; John never squanders a
penny
Miss Dorcas shook her ample sides
with sarcastic laughter.
Never squanders a penny" she re-
peated; land never stays out at night,
either, or goes gallivanting round the
town with other women, and you be
at home darning his stockings Don't
tell me about them, Jennie-these
good husbands know them. l
haven't two eyes for nothing. Didn't
see John only night fore last walk
ing down town, and another woman
beside him?"
''John?" / gasped--''my John? Oh,
you must be mistaken"
II never mistake. Twas your john"
And who was the woman?"
Cant tell Didn't see her face"
When John came home to supper /
determined to ask him, but feeling of
shame kept me silent while we were at
table, and the minute he was done he
arose and took down his hat.
why, john" ! asked, ''are you GO
ing out again? And it is raining, too.V
$50 it is; but l must go tonight,
Jennie.
What for, John?"
His eyes fell. and he turned from me
in evident confusion.
yWell1-you see-dont ask me, Jen-
nie. I've promised to go, that's all; but
| chant have to go again, maybe.
Ny foolish, jealous heart rose in my
throat, and l stood hurt and silent.
John kissed me and kissed baby in
her crib Then he took off his coat
and threw it on chair
IF you don't feel too tired, little
wife, you might fasten in that sleeve
hAing I'll wear my thick coat to-
night"
He was gone, and after clearing
away our small table / sat down to
think. and L. soon made myself miser-
able enough.
At last thought of Johns coat and
picked it up to mend it. 1t was his
hest coat which he had only taken for
common wear few days before.
brushing off the dust, j heard the
rustic of paper in the breast pocket
Is there. a wife loyal enough, I'M
ftminine enough to refrain from pry-
ing into the secrets of her husbands
pockets when she has chance?
!, drew the rustling paper forth. 1t
was note--a dainty, three-cornered
affair, with rosebud on che broken
seal. / looked at the direction: John
Danton," my own husbands name,
written in fine feminine characters.
A sharp pang pierced my heart. a
mist dimmed my eyes. What woman
was this who dared to write to my hus-
band? / must know. | had right to
know. tore open the tiny sheet.
my DEAREST JOHN: Do not fail to come to-
night lam alone, and shall look for you"
/ could not read another word. A
blindness like that Of death filmed my
eyes, faint, horrible sickness crcpt
truth. John was untrue TO me- And !
l. 49, - n.