The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-04-12
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! HER HUSBANDS WIDOW !


Hugh Matchley looked down with a
sort Of fond, admirine tenderness at the
bright.eyej, damask-cheeked little Wo-
man who was indusiriously brushil his
coat.
AS she gave II a shake to complete the
process, letter fell from one of the in
side pockets letter addressed to 81.
Matchley, Esq.," in a dainty feminine
hand writing
"a letter from a lady - she cried out,
the merry sparkles OF mischief comiI z
into her eyer. %, Hugh, who is she ?"
That is my secret, Mrs. Matchley,"
he returned, with assumed dignity.
"Is in on business 2"
Certainly it is on business" he an
swered. "Give me my hat there's
darling. And now good-bY until 4
o'clock"
Mamie Matchley had been a farmers
daughter, and, although she bad
lived in the city since her marriage with
the thriving young lawyer, her heart
still longed for the scent OF apple bios
SONS and new mown hay with an indies
cribable yearning AS she elided around
the room, intent on Der various house
hold duties, a knock sounded at the
door
TITS that tedious. gossiping old Mrs.
Bonnesu," said Mamie to herself. snow
1 am in for an hour of neighbOrhood
news. Good morning, Mrs. Bonneau.
Are you we'll to-day ?"
81 am tolerably WELL" she answered,
g'OOmi 'y-"as we'll as one can be- in this
vale OF tears"
"Why, what's the matter now ?" Nam
ME asked, REFRESHING a smile.
Do you mean, Mrs. Mathley, that you
have never suspected the presence Of
the canker worm that is gnawing at the
bud OF your domestic happiness ?" asked
the old dame.
"What in the name of common sense
do you mean?"
"Ah, these wives-these innocent, de-
luded, unsuspectiDg wivesl' she groan-
ed. "If You had disguised yourself this
morning, Mamie, and followed your
wretched husband to what he called
bust ness
well p gasped Mamie.
"YOu would have seen sights that
would have curdled the very blood in
your veins"
what sights?" gasped poor Mamie,
invOluntarily remembering the myster.
iOus letter and feeling herself grow red
and pale under the answering goggles
Of her torturer.
swell, il you really insist" said Mrs
Bonneau, EVENLY enjoying the moment
II must tell you. was at the Andes
Hotel not 10 minutes since-dear dear
that should have to tell the tale land
he came in there all smiles and sweet
looks, to see the bold-fsced widow, moi
dressed in decent mourning" with q
downward glance at her own funeral
habiliments, "but all streamers a, jet
clasps and necklaces sat in the cor
ner with my veil down, 30 that he could
not recognize me.
"The carriage is ready, Mrs. Arnott, u
said he. "Pray let us lose no time-my
wife suspects nothing as vet" And il
you'll believe me, away they went in q
carriage"
IL do not believe it," broke from Mrs
Matchley's lips.
"But l asked the waiter aiterWsrJ
'Lor', ma fam. said he, that's the gent
as has been coming to see Mrs. Arnott
every day for a week
II don't wish to alarm you, my dear
buc if they have elOped you won't have
the least difficulty in obts lining divorce.
Good-bv my dear. I'd stay longer only
have an appointment with dress max.
or at IL"
And away rustled Mira Bonneau, leav.
ing mutually smell Of Grape and dye be-
hind her, while Mamie stood looking
blankly out Of the window as If the sum
ny sky Of her young life was turned to
leaden darkness already.
HE will come back TO me If he cares
for me" she kept repeating to herself.
HE said he would be here at 4, and il
he comes not l will know that he has
ceased to love me-"
How slowly the hours dragged along,
how spiritless it all seemed to poor Nam
ME. And when the hour of drew near
an awful dread came upon her lest she
had looked her last upon Hugh's face.
20, Hugh Hugh am 80 glad /" she
cried, incoherently, as the ODen barouche
drove up TO the door and she saw Hugh's
dark eyes shining cheerily from beneath
the shadow OF his broad-brimmed Pana-
ma hat.
Mamie, what ails you p asked Hugh,
and little Allie climbed upon her moth
er's heavy eyes, and cried;
Mamma sick? Mamma feel bad ?
Allie 30 sorry"
AT that moment carrisgs stopped in
front OF pretty little cottage literally
vailed in crimson roses and spice-scented
honey suckles.
%, what lovely place I" cried Nan
ME, reused for single instant from her
melancholy tOrpor.
would you like it for a home, Nan
ole ?" asked her huAhand
"WOuld you like il? D. Hugh But