The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1893-12-15

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know. 1t was pity, but | would have
no more of this. ! would get 40 TIE
truth and help her if l could. Then :,
terrible thought occurred TO ne, WHAT
il 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 &
goose l would be to neddle and force
upon myself a terri BILE knowledge which
might avoid.
It was cowardly, perhaps, but l loved
Fleda so dearly that l had rather be
deceived IN such way-I never doubt
| cd her utter truth for one moment
| than to be urdeceived to my misery.
And, hoping against hope, [ permitted
two moro weeks to pass by without do
ing ANYTHING whatever. Then ccine ;sa
hour when graver doubts possessed ne.
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 IL
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 | 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 o pretty hat with daisies around
the brim. She had told me q deliberate
falsehood, asking me to stay al home
to receive a friend who might call
while she went to the dress Il aker'S
house.
4 wild hope that she had only been
to this dressmaker before, and that the
jewels were sold 70 pay some extrava-
giant bill, filed my heart, but it van
ished as I followed her, and saw her
leave the road after going few PAGES,
and take 6 by-rath which ran back
into or own orchard. It was q small
place full Of old apple trees. The moon
light failed to FL It, but saw amidst
the shadows Of the foliage the darker
shadow Of q mans figure
we've kept me waiting," he whis-
pcred.
''I could not help it," my wife re-
piled.
The man gave a low growl.
"Ye've got the money!" he said.
''FOr your own interest you've got
the money, the five hundred dollars"
Where had heard that voice before?
''No," my wife faltered, ''not 50 ;7l.:oll;
the jeweler would only give 81. f,:r@o
hundred but I have that"
eye must raise the ether two"
s.rowled the man. ooh, yot'4l Go it, it
won't be q great dale to pay to cave
them we know OF from twenty yu:.rs III
ja:l. Pr09buoe it ani tel ne win, o.-,
asher all. Ill tell the truth: it's IL.
duty anyway"
"Oh, good Heaven! I've given you ali
have!" cried my poor wife. Il can get
10 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
cut warning, stood before them.
"Tleda,' I cried, what does this
mean? Whom are you talking to?
must know! l will know. Do you fancy
I have been blind to your meetings with
this scoundrel?''
ooh, don't speak SO, dearest" she
cried. Don't anger him. Go away.
You don't know your danger
Danger - l cried, clutohi1g the
collar Of the man, who strovc to rush
past me. Come; let nc see whom |
/ have here"
I dragged him into the light, and
saw our porter, Honest Jim, and no
other.
Jim, by all that is connical'' 1 said.
and what is he to you, wife?"
! "Ch. DON'T! Don't!'' cried Fleda. ''He
/ knows all! lie knows all.''
! ''Fleda," said 1, whatever he may
know about you, have no fear You
are my wife. love you. Nothing can
alter that"
''Oh, it isn't I, Henry! It is you, He
/ knows all about Razzle Dazzle and
what you did to get the money to bet on
him. It was such q temptation, / know.
my poor husband! And he sworo he
! would not betray you if [ gave him live
hundred dollars. But have net been
/ able to raise it. [ will, though. Spare
my husband, and l Will Yesl Oh. I
! viii earn it, somehow cried Fleda.
wildly
what confounded Matchmaking trick
is this?' said I, 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 GO
wrong. was up before you the night
OF the storrum, and she met me, an Il
WIS aisy tuck in. An I tried it ag'in
You an the divil put it into my head.
Here's the money back. Don't choke
me! Here is the money back"
What did he tell you, yot. silly
child?'' l 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 to save you"
"Go!'' l said to Honest jim. sShow
your face in the Office again if Won
darer'
l dismissed him with a kick and tool,
Fleda in my arms.
so you'd be true to me if were both
fool and rascal?" said I. ''Poor little
goosy!"
And you'd love me if l had some
dreadful story in my life?" said Fleda.
And we were very happy as we
walked home together, arm in arm. NV
"lie and M Cady. n n Y. Ledger
TIE BLACK STEEP,
John Turned Out sjad-IEe Went to the
I-egisl t,,-e.
"On one OCCASION" said story-tell
ing congressman to q group Of news
paper men, - was IL tl.4 mountains NJ