The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-10-28

cent piece and two pennies-which toA
me that she had dropped portion Of
some money that she had taken with
her. ALI this made me very unhappy.
detested mysteries, and it 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 q chance acquaipt-
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, aud whom she did not wish me to
know. It was pity, but would have
no more Of this. l would get at the
truth and help her If could Then a
terrible thought occurred to me- What
If 1t should prove that she had married
early in life; that worthless husband
hda iCOuIn Cet, anu tudt chO "uo II ibS
to get rid of him? In that case what
goose would be to NEEDLE and force
upon myself terrible knowledge which
] might avoid.
1t was cowardly, perhaps, but loved
Fleda SO dearly that ] 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, permitted
two moro weeks to pass by without do
ing anything whatever. Then came an
hour when gravcr 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 firesidc 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 deliberate
falschood, asking me to stay at home
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. filled my heart, but it van.
ished as / followed her, and saw her
leave the road after going a few PAGES,
and take q by-path which ran back
into our own orchard 1t was a small
place full of old apple trees. The moon
light failed to fill 1t, but saw amidst
the shadows of the foliage the darker
shadow of mans figure.
"Ye've kept me waiting" he whis-
pcred.
II could not help it," my wife re-
piled.
The man gave low growl.
"Ye've got the money!" he said.
For your own interest you've got
the money, the five hundred dollars"
Wnere had heard that voice beforef
Monty wife faltered, mot so much;
the jeweler would only give me three
hundred, but have that"
'sYe must raise the other two."
growled the man. "Oh, you'll do It. it
won't be great dale to pay to save
them we know of from twenty years in
Jail. Produce 1t and tell me whin. or,
afther all, I'll tell the truth; it's my
duty anyway"
uAA-onf Ysua rpivav1 x1cV L.
havc!" cried my poor wife. II can sc.
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.
.sFleda," cried, what does this
mean? Whom are you talking to? ]
must knowl will knowi Do you fancy
have been blind to your meetings with
this scoundrcl?'
'Oh, don't speak SO, dearesti" she
cried. Don't anger him. Go away.
You don't know your danger"
.DangerI +" I cried. clutching the
collar of the man, who strove to rush
past me. Come; let me see whom
have here"
/ dragged him into the light, and
saw our porter. Honest Jim. and nc
other.
''Jim, by all that is comicalr' said.
"And what is he to you, wife?"
.'Oh. don't! Don'ti" cried Flcda- ''He
knows ALL He knows alll''
.'Fleda," said l, whatever he may
know about you, have no fear. You
are my wife. / love YOU Nothing can
alter that"
.'Oh, it isn't I, Henryi 1t Is you'll He
knows all about Razzle Dazzle, and
what you did to get the money to bet on
him. 1t was such a temptation, know,
my poor husband! And he swore he
would not betray you if gave him five
hundred dollars But have not been
able to raise it. will, though. Spare
my husband, and / will Yesl Oh,
VII earn it. somehow" cried Fleda.
| wildly.
"What Matchmaking trick
is this?" said l, shaking Honest jim
| furiously.
"Prase. let me go!" groaned Jim.
"You put it into my head with your
/ talk of your missus fearing you'd &c
xvropr i vaa mn before v01, tho niphf