Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-09-19
[Original.l
A MATRIMONIAL EPISODE.
BY E. S. C.

Charlie Grant and Helen Brown
had been married just three weeks.
Not a cloud had been seen during
their brief engagement, not a trown
dimmed their honeymoon. They had
determined, with a foresight and deep
knowledge of life which characterize
the newly wed, that their honeymoon
should never wane, but should shine
just as brightly at their golden we'd
ding feast as the night they stepped
from the church where they had been
proclaimed man and wife.
On returning from their wedding
trip they had taken dainty fiat, and
nothing could be happier than the
two people who occupied it.
On this particular morning OF which
l write, Charles, the proud husband,
was trying to tear himself away from
his fascinating little wife and so down
town to business. He knew he ought
to 90 but couldn't make up his mind
to start, even though Helen, perched
upon his knee and rummaging in his
pockets, reading everything she found,
was telling him he really ought to go,
it was shameful to let business engage
ments slip, etc, etc
"Well, you see, dear" he said as he
gave her his dozenth goodbye kiss, Il
said maybe I'd be down today, so they
won't positively expect me-still, per-
haps, I'd better go-hello, what have
you got there?"
"Why, it's letter you have for
gotten to mail-you've sealed it but
there's no address on the envelope.
Who is it to?
"My dear, this is the first evidence
of womanish curiosity I've noticed IN
you-there, don't pout, but kiss me
and I'll tell you all about it. You re-
member I told you Jack Conway, my
old college chum whom haven't seen
for years, is about to sail for England
to stay there in some government po-
sition. Well, thought I'd have him
spend a week with us before he vent
but somehow, before | sent the letter,
l commenced to feel that it would be
an awful bore to have stranger with
us, so put it in my pocket without
even addressing it-thinking to talk
it over with you and do just as you
thought best. But say tearing it up
and scattering some of the pieces out
of the window and some on the floor,
"let's not have hint would be-ln-
convenient to say the least, so I'll Just
write him line telling him goodbye
and wishing we could have entertained
him, ETC., etc.
"I' m awfully glad you dIdnt send
it. But you never told me about him.
I've never heard his name even-but,
of course, l believe you, dear; how
else could it be than Just as you We
told me? So go down town and attend
to your business-but come home to
luncheon at one, won't you, darling ?
Goodbye
Now" she said, when she could no
longer see him from the window, 81
must stIaighten up, for it's almost
eleven, and he will be in at one, so
I've not much time. I'll begin on
these scraps of paper that careless ht-
tie husband of mine dropped when he
tore up that letter. v
Acting on this impulse she started
to gather up the pieces when her eye
cauqht the words "My sweet.
That's a funny beginning to a let
ter like the one Charlie described to
me. Let's see what is written on the
other pieces. "
Poor little girl If only she had not
Welded to that curiosity which is In
herent in her-no, in both sexes-she
would have spared herself very mis-
cradle morning; as it was she did
yield and, having placed the pieces on
the table with trembling fingers and
tightening around the heart, she read
the following condemnation of hel
Charles truth and his love for her:
"My sweet -. come SO ions
I've seen you 1t seems cen
tury love :. spooning -.
YOU . sweetest f. love -. more
every day meet you :. sday
depot at 8 i. don't refuse.
disappointment +. misery -. deal
little F. sake, come -.
Helen Grant felt as though cen
| tury had passed over her head, as sh'