River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-07

me that she had dropped portion OF
some money that she had taken with
her. All this made me very unhappy.
I detested mysteries, and it was evil
dent that one of the sort which | had
always thought unnatural when intro
dueed into the pages of novels had
arisen in Inv quiet little home.
/ remembered that had met my wife
by chance; that our introduction was
brought about by a chance acquaint-
ance. vino really knew nothing of
either of rs: that she was alone in the
world, without any living relative. %
claimed To be 50; = teacher of music,
with few pupils, maEing hard struggle
for life. Very possibly disreputable
father or brother had turned up. TO
whom she was obliged to give assist
ance. aud whom she did not wish me Ia
know II was pity, but would have
no more of this / would get at the
truth and help her IL could Then a
terrible thought occurred TO me. What
If IL should prove that she had married
early in life: that a worthless husband
/ had returned. and that she was trying
20 get rid OF him? In that case what a
goose would be to NEEDLE and force
upon myself terrible knowledge which
might avoid
IL was eowardly, perhaps. but loved
Fleda 50 dearly that ! had rather be
deceived in such a way-I never doubt
ed her utter truth for one moment
| than to be undeceived TO my misery.
And, hoping against hope. permitted
/ two more weeks 10 pass by without do
[ ing anything whatever. Then came an
hour when graver doubts possessed me.
I NV 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 fireside when
ne pleased.
The night en- which I followed her
was as beautiful as night could be. The
air was warm and full of the breath of
/ flowers. My wife wore a white dress
and pretty hat with daisies around
/ the brim. She had told me deliberate
( falsehOOd. asking me to stay at home
/ to receive a friend who might call
while she went to the dressmaker' S
/ house.
/ A wild hope that she had only been
4 to this dressmaker before. and that the
/ Jewels were sold to pay some extrava-
giant bill. filed my heart, but it van
/ ished as / followed her, and saw her
leave the road after going a few PAGES,
and take a by-path which ran back
/ into our own orchard. Ii was small
/ place full of old apple trees. The moon
! light failed to Till it, but I saw amidst
/ the shadows of the foliage the darker
shadow of mans figure.
we've kept me waiting" he whis-
pered.
Il could act help it," my wife ro-
piled.
The man gave low growl.
we've got the money!" he said.
For your OWE interest you've got
| the money, the five hundred dollars"
Where had heard that voice before?
mo, my wife faltered, mot so much;
the jcweler would only give me three
/ hundred. but have that"
''Ye must raise the other two,
growled the man. ''Oh, you'll do it. it
won't be a great dale to pay to save
them we know of from twenty years in
/ 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 all
! have!" cried my poor wife. II can get
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." | cried, what does this
mean? Whom are you talking to?
must know. will know. Do you fancy
/ have been blind to your meetings with
this scoundrel?''
''Oh. don't speak so. dearest,'' she
cried. Don't anger him. Go away.
You don't know your danger"
- Danger " cried. clutching the
collar of the man. who strove to rush
/ past me. Como; let me see whom |
| have here"
dragged him into the light, and
saw our porter, Honest Jim, and no
| other.
Jim. by all that is comical,'' said.
And what is he to sou, wife?"
''Oh. don't. DON'T cried Fleds. "He
knows all, He knows all.''
"Fleda," said /, whatever he may
I know about YOU. have no fear. You
are my wife. | love you Nothing can
alter that"
/ oh. il isn't I. Henry, 1t is you, He
/ knows all about Razzle Dazzle. and
/ what you did tn get the money to bet on
I him. II was such temptation, know,
nv poor husband, And he swore he
would not betray you if gave him five
hundred dollars. But have not been
/ able to raise it. I will. though. Spare
my husband, and | will, Yes. Oh,
will earn it, somehow" cried Fleda,
wildly.
What COMPOUNDED Matchmaking trick
is this?' said !, shaking Honest Jim
/ furiously.
PHASE. let me go." groaned Jim.
You put it into my head with your
talk Of your missus fearing you'd 60
wrong / was up before you the night
/ of the storrum. and she met me, and
wus aisy tuck i'm. An | tried il ag' in.
You an the divil put it into my head.
I Here's the money back. Don't choke
me. Here is the money back"
What did he tell you, you silly
/ child?" I asked Fleda.
That you had robbed your employ
ers to get money To stake on Razzle
( Dazzle" said she. My only thought
has been how 10 save you"
CO. / said To Honest Jim. ''Show
your face in the office again If you
I dare
I dismissed him with kick and took
/ Fleda in my arms
so you'd he true to me If | were both
fool and rascal?" said l. Poor little
| gccSy,"
] Aud you'd love me If had some
Dreadful story in my llfe?" said Fleda.
/ And we We're very happy as we
walked home together, arm in arm, my
I wife and IN. Cady. in y. Y. Ledger.
Dictionary Girls.
A disagreeable girl-Annie Mostly.
A fighting girl-IIittie Magin.
a sweet girl-Carrie Mel.
a very pleasant girl-Jennie Rossity.
| A sick girl-Sallie Vate.
A smooth girl-Amelia Ration.