Middletown transcript., 1898-03-12

"YouT. husband is q vtllGtnp'
world is coming toll The papers are filed
with stories about just such men, but I
never thought that John Storer was a
sooundrel.
Mrs. Storer rather amazed her moth
or. She listened calmly to all the facts
and began pacing the floor.
"I cannot reconcile this story with
what know of Jacks character. -
"You should have seen him leading
that woman into that carriage"
perhaps should wait until he
comes home
"And have him lie to you, and then
tomorrow you'll have no redress.
"But, mother, to leave my home
our dear little home that he and I
iove''-
"Home? Why, be has. destroyed it'll
Could you ever again feel toward him
as you did before / came just now? Can
you ever trust him againP If he is false
now when you are still young and love-
ly, what will he be in the future? Oh,
the fcklenees Of men is the curse Of the
agel Wealth makes folly SO easy. A
worldly woman would have concealed
this discovery from you and allowed
you to live IN blissful ignorance of your
husbands system Of deception. OF
course be can keep up appearances and
take his little escapades when he pleases.
But am q proud woman. I won't see
my child insultedl I can't keep silent
Come home, dear, with your baby, to
the parents who are true to you. :"
"Mother, If am going out Of this
house don't want anything that is in
it."
"You are quite right. Will You leave
little note for him?'
eyes.
s'Let me write it.
"I'lI 60 and tell Jane TO send Jack TO
me at his grandma's. That will not
cause suspicion. We will do nothing to
excite talk among the servants, because,
mother, we may be mistaken. Some-
how I cannot feel that you are right in
your suspicious.
''It would be strange If your conf
dence could be destroyed instantly. But
come, you can weigh the question at
home. This Is no place for you at pres
ent. You may be sure that If am
wrong your husband will hasten to ex-
plain matters. Child, that is inpossi-
BILE. He will never dare to face you.
On that particular afternoon Storer
reached his house somewhat later than
usual. He had undertaken the 'tmar-
riage notice" and was determined that
the citizens of Centerville should have
every opportunity of reading it. He ran
up the stoop, let himself in and took
his way, two steps at time, to the front
room on the second floor. which was
headquarters for the family. The lower
floor was lighted, and the quiet did not
concern him. He often awaited his
wife's return from her old home.
He had invested in some white chrys-
anthemums, and he proceeded to ar
range them in the vases that adorned
his wife's dressing case. If Sallie had a
preference, It was for these feathery
blossoms, SO he placed them to the best
advantage, enjoyed their reflection in
the mirror and turned up the lights to
see the effect against the delicate blue
draperies. The waitress, who had run
up stairs for a news item, observed his
satisfaction. he glanced at her and
asked:
"Jane, any sign Of Mrs. storer and
the boy?''
"No, sir Perhaps they are to drive
out, but the mistress didn't say SO. I
see note for you In the library. !"
"SoF Get 1t, please.
Storer recognized Mrs Justis' hand.
writing and, rather surprised, opened
the note and read:
TO Mr.. John 6torer:
Your wickedness has been discovered. saw
you today with your mistress. Make no effort
to see my poor heartbroken child.
CARoLINE JUsTIB.
p. s.-The proper legal steps for obtaining
divorce Will be taken as soon as possible.
Storer sat down quite dazed at first.
Gradually be collected his thoughts and
surmised what had occurred. Like other
good natured, even tempered. healthy
young people, it took great deal Of
provocation to excite his anger; but,
once aroused, his fury was something
terrible. Henow exerted himself to con-,
troll this passion, and, sending for
messenger boy, be wrote line to his
wife:
sailie, come home at once, can explain GER
tain circumstances to you. JACK.
The lyon" was underlined.
1t seemed to him that the lad would
never return. Meanwhile he busted him
self SO aa to prevent suspicion in the
house He ordered the dinner to be kept
back, tried to read the evening papers
and qpieted himself so effectually that
he went at intervals to the windows
and peered ont, hoping to distinguish
the tall, slender figure and its little at
tendant one in the twilight.
Storer was not given to putting po-
etry into words, but in his heart he
treasured strange fanoies in connection
with these two jewels. his wife and this
child, which seemed 90 much closer to
her than it could possibly be to him
and was for that very reason 50 much
the more wonderful and sacred u him.