The Southern herald., 1893-10-06

dent that one Of the sort which I had I
always thought unnatural when intro
dueed into the pages Of novels had I
arisen In my quiet little home
I remembered that had met my wife /
by chance; that our introduction was /
brought about by q chance acquaiht- |
aneA who really knew nothing Of |
either OF US; that she was alone In the |
world, without any living relative, or
claimed TO be so; a teacher Of music,
with few pupils, making hard struggle /
for life. Very possibly a disreputable
father or brother had turned up, to
whom she was obliged 10 give assist
ance, aud whom she did not wish me to
know, 1t was pity, but would have
no more Of this | would get at the
truth and help her II could Then q
terrible thought occurred to me. What
II Il should prove that she had married
early in life. that a worthless husband
had returned, and that she was trying
to get rid of him? In that case what a
goose would be to meddle and force
upon myself a terrible knowledge which
might avoid.
It was cowardly, perhaps, but | loved
Fleda so dearly that | had rather be
deceived in such a way-Ineyer doubt
ed her utter truth for one moment
than to be undeceived to my misery,
And hoping against hope, | permitted
two more weeks to pass BY without do
ing anything whatever Then came an
hour when graver doubts possessed me.
! My wife had sold the diamond ear
rings which my sister had given her
upon her wedding day. came by this
knowledge while examining her desk
for letters, and believed that she in
tended to give the money thus raised to
the mysterious person who had the
power to call her from her freside when
he pleased.
The night en- which followed her
was as beautiful as night could be. The
air was warm and full OF the breath OF
flowers. My wife wore white dress
and pretty hat with daisies around
the brim. She had told me a deliberate
falsehood, asking me to stay at home
to receive friend who might call
while sho went to the dressm aker's
house
A wild hope that she had only been
to this dressmaker before, and that the
Jewels were sold to pay some extrava'
CANT bill, filled my heart, but 1t van
ished as | followed her, and saw her
leave the road after going a few PAGES
and take by-path which ran back
into our own orchard II was small
place full of old apple trees The moon
light failed to fill it, but saw amidst
the shadows Of the foliage the darker
shadow of mans figure.
"Ye've kept me waiting" he whis
pCred
~ could not help It," my wife re
Piled
The man gave low growl.
"Ye've got the money!" he said
''For your own intherest you've go
r the money, the five hundred dollars"
=, Where had heard that voice before
, mo" my wife faltered, ''notso much
9 the jeweler would only give me thre
: hundred but have, that"
"Ye must raise the other two,
growled the man. 'Oh, you'll do 1t,
! won't be a great dale to pay to saw
them we know Of from twenty years /
Jail. Produce It and tell me whin, Oh
: afther all, I'll tell the truth; it's N
! duty anyway"
d "Oh, good Heavenl I've given you a
0 havel" cried my poor wife. ~ can gS
no more'
She seemed almost to faint. Wha
o ever this mystery might be, 1t was nj
duty to defend her.
Y strobe out of the shadow, and, will
y out warning, stood before them.
''Fleda," / cried, what does tn
y meanP Whom are you talking to2
must knowi will knowl Do you fanC
have been blind to your meetings wit
's this seoundrelP"
n "Oh, don't speak so, dearestr' 81
y cried. Don't anger him. Go ava,
L You don't know your danger"
d " 'Dangerl' l cried, clutching Il
y collar Of the man, who strove to rui
n past me. Come; let me see whom
" have here"
ID dragged him into the light, al
y saw our porter, Honest Jim, and ]
le other.
"Jim, by all that is comicalp' sal
y, "And what is he to you, wifeP"
Id "Oh, don'tl Don'tP' cried Fleda- II
n knows ALL He knows alll''
IS 'Fleda," said l, whatever he mi
Sc know about you, have no fear. Y,
Id are my wife. l love you Nothing c.
alter that"
NJ ''Oh, It isn't !, Henryl It is you'll
ne knows oil about Razzle Dazzle, ii
C. what you did to get the money to bet
II, him. 1t was such temptation, | kno
ny nv poor husbandl And he swore
Oh would not betray you If gave him f
II. hundred dollars But | have not be
OF able to raise it. will, though. Spa
IN my husband, and l will Yesl Oh
w VIII earn it, somehow" cried Flee
! wildly.
nd what coufounded blaclsmailing tri
w is this2" said l, shaking Honest ]
'e- furiously.
us "Prase, let me gor groaned il
ed "You put 1t into my head with yc
talk Of your missus fearing you'd
ID; wrong. ! was up before You the mig
l of the storrum, and she met me, a
wus aisy tuck in. An tried It ag'
ng You an the divil put it into my he'
Here's the money back. Don't che
en- mel Here is the money back"
nut what did he tell you, You 81
", child2n asked Fleda.
THAT you had robbed your empl'
nd ers to get money to stake on Raj
av Dazzle" said she. MY only thoue
an. has been how to save you"
Ter "Gog" | said to Honest Jim. Ssh
zen your face in the Office again if )
nd, darel'
as | dismissed him with kick and tc