The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-09-07

some money that she had taken with
her. All this made me very unhappy.
/ detested mysteries, and il was evil
dent that one of the sort which / had
always thought unnatural when intro
duced into the pages of novels had
arisen in my quiet little home.
remembered that had met my wife
by chance; that our introduction was
brought about by chance acquaint-
ance, who really knew nothing of
either of us; that she was alone in the
world, without any living relative, or
claimed to be so; teacher of music,
with few pupils, making hard struggle
for life. Very possibly disreputable
father or brother had turned up, to
whom she was obliged to give assist
ance, and whom she did not wish me to
know. 1t was pity, but ! would have
no more of this. I would get at the
truth and help her if l could. Then a
terrible thought occurred to me. What
if it should prove that she had married
early in life; that 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 terrible knowledge which
might avoid.
1t was cowardly, perhaps, but loved
Fleda so dearly that l had rather be
deceived in such way-I never doubt
ed her utter truth for one moment
than to be undeceived to my misery.
And, hoping against hope, I 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. l 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 fireside when
he pleased.
The night en- which l followed her
l 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 heme
to receive friend who might call
while she 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, filed my heart, but it van
ished as / followed her, and saw her
leave the road after going few PAGES,
and take a by-path which ran back
into our own orchard. 1t was small
place full of old apple trees. The noon
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-
pered.
81 could not help it," my wife re-
piled.
The man gave a low growl.
"Ye've got the money!" he said.
+'For your own intherest you've go,
the money, the five hundred dollars"
Where had l heard that voice beforef
mo" my wife faltered, mot so much
the jeweler would only give me three
hundred, but have that"
"Ye must raise the other two,
growled the man. "Oh, you'll do it, il
won't be a great dale to pay to save
them we know of from twenty years il
jail. Produce it and tell me whin, or
afther all, I'll tell the truth; it's my
duty anyway"
"Oh, good Heaven! I've given you al
l have!" cried my poor wife. ~ can ge
no more"
She seemed almost to faint. What
ever this mystery might be, it was my
duty to defend her.
strobe out of the shadow. and. with
out warning, stood before them.
"Fleda," l cried, what does thi
mean? Whom are you talking tor
must know! will know! Do you fancy
l have been blind to your meetings will
this scoundrel@'
"Oh, don't speak so, dearest!" sh,
cried. Don't anger him. Go away
You don't know your danger"
'Danger!' cried, clutching th'
collar of the man, who strove to rusl
past me. Come; let me see whom
: have here"
dragged him into the light, ant
saw our porter, Honest Jim, and n,
other.
Jim, by all that is comicalw said
, "An2 what is he to you, wife?"
"Oh, don'G Don't!' cried Fleda. III,
knows all! He knows ALP
'Fleda," said !, whatever he maj
know about you, have no fear. Yoy
are my wife. love you. Nothing cal
alter that"
''Oh, it isn't I, Henryl 1t is you! HI
knows all about Razzle Dazzle, anG
what you did to get the money to bet OF
him. 1t was such a temptation, know
my poor husbandl And he swore h
would not betray You if l gave him fiv.
hundred dollars. But have not been
able to raise it. will, though. Spare
my husband, and I will Yes! Oh,
will earn it, somehow" cried Fleda
wildly.
"Whatcoufounded blackmailing trick
is this2" said ], shaking Honest jim
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