The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-02-24
A HARMLESS LADY.
Why Mrs. Whitcomb Followed Her
Husband to the Country.


Husband to the Country.
The line of rail fence that divided the
two farms stretched far down the grass
green meadows, ending at right angles
with the more pretentious fence along
the country road. From the two cor
ners thus defined, the land spread out
in even broadening borders and upon
each side of the dividing line embraced
distant farmhouse in its lazy sunny
arms. In their soft colors of green
and white, the two houses lay like idle
creatures sprawling in the sun.
The meadows glistened under the
floating light of an early summer morn
ing, and Farmer Basset, at the foot of
his fertile undulating field, stopped
now and then, with hammer in hand,
to direct q long gaze of satisfaction
over his thriving estate. He was knee
deep in long grass, and under his great
straw hat was sheltered alike from the
suns rays and from ordinary vision.
But the outlook from under its broad
brim brought u flood of pleasure to it's
owners heart, for he noted on the ono
side the clean smooth floor of earth be-
tween the wiry stems of wheat, and, in
contrast to it,. the weed-entangled
growth upon the adjoining land.
"Jinkerton' suddenly exclaimed the
farmer, with surprised stare over the
fence. HAS Whitcomb come backP'
Two men could be seen across the in
tervening field, walking slowly about
the house. One was bent and was lean
ing upon the arm of the other
That's Whitcomb or it's his double"
he calculated again. 81 wonder what
it means! The house is all closed"
With sudden vigor he drove the
long nail home into the thick wood,
and. giving it another sharp decisive
blow, dropped his hatchet into the bas-
ket and started in the direction of his
house.
hrs Basset had mado the same obser-
Sation from the kitchen window, and
met him at the door in all the ella ton of
discovery.
''He must have come late yesterday
evening, and he has taken the back room
upstairs"
''l'd like to see the old fellow. If 1
thought he'd be friends, I'd go over.
But he left here in such a mighty row,
and has never been back since--pcr-
haps it's better to let fallow land lie."
He's married, isn't he? | wonder if
his wife came with him"
Basset pushed the damp hat rim back
from his matted hair and looked at her
from his gentle blue eyes.
I'D hate to be otfish with him
about old times, too. He looked kind
O sick, didn't he? A man seemed to be
bol "a m, .rorpd tba wand
He went about his work all that day
in a disturbed meditation glancing to-
ward his neighbor's house, which still
wore the uncommunicative aspect OF
long disuse. Later, as he was return.
ing from the orchard, he set down his
basket of apples and stood with his
eyes fixed thoughtfully upon one oi
the windows, whose blinds had been
partially opened and through which he
might draw some knowledge of the
silent interior: it was like an eye
drowsy and half closed, but full of ;
subtle intelligence.
He bent down with his hand upoI
his basket again when Mrs. Basse
came toward him hastily. There wer
traces of recent astonishment ye
lingering on her face.
''Jo," she said, Mrs. Whitcomb is il
the housed"
MRS. Wbitcomb?" repeated tn
farmers voice, uncertainty. 'WEere
Mrs. Whitcomb?"
"Why, in the sitting room, to be sure
just at present. She wants a room q
her own, though, to keep for severa
days, or maybe week. You see, he
husband has something the matte
with his eyes, and the doctor would nc
treat them unless he left the city an
came to some quiet place. He is ru
down and nervous at the same time
and his old home was the most cor
venient place to come. He brought nt
body with him except a man servan
who knows how to nurse and take car
OF him. They wouldn't let her-his viii
even--come with him; but she was 3
anxious about him that she followed hiI
here, and.now as she can't go over ther
in face of the doctors orders, she want
us to keep her She's a devoted littl
wife, and of course consented"
Her husband patted her approvingl
oil. the arm and prepared to go in to h
guest.
In the meantime, in the Bassct 81
tipg-room stood little woman attire
in q jaunty sailor hat and dress {
soft and flowing elegance. Her eye
were directed toward the window an
upon the house in the dixtance.
"It is very foolish OF ,ipe," she We
thinking. land when Henry is perhaI
suffering. But / can't help 1t; after
few days he will be able TO go abou
and lie is sure to see that woman agais
She may be a designingIsort of = won
an, for all l know. and may want I
IA amuse herself with MIN; or she may
desperately in love with him yet. an
he, bciug weak and nervous and
sach state OF health anyhow, WHY
there's no telling what she might do
or be either, for that matter Ol
what am I saying?-or thinking?-it
all one How Henry would feel II
knew!"
And she gave her saall foot a viciou