Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-06-17
Whole NunprR, lab.
That Widow.

ooooOooooooooo oooooooooooooo
Just reach me my coat, Mamie de
clare your the Aicess Nttlc wife in the
world "
Hugh Match Ny To- ed down with sort
of fond admiring tenderness at the bright
eyed, damask checked little woman who
was industrously brushing his coat
As she gave it a shake to complete the
process a letter fell from one of the side
poclcts-a letter addressed 70 "H Match
ley, Esq, in u dainty feminine handwrit-
ing.
"A letter from a lady" she cried out,
the merry sparkles of mischief coming
into her eyes. ooh, Hugh, who is she?'
THAT is my secret Mrs. Matchley," he
returned, with assumed dignity.
"1s ii on busincss?"
"Ccrtainly it is on business" he an
swcrcd. "Give me my hat; there's
darling. And now goodby until 4
o'clock"
Mamie Matchlcy had been farmers
daughter, and, although she had lived in
the city since her marriage with the thriv.
ing young lawyer, her heart still longrd
for the scent of apple blossoms and new
mown hay with an indcscribable yearning
As she glidcd around the room intent
on her various household duties, a knock
sounded at the door
1t 5 that tedious, gossiping old Mrs.
Bonncau," said Mamie to herself. "Now
am in for an hour of ncighborhood news.
| Good morning Mrs Bonncau. Are you
well today"
II am tolorably WE'LL" she answered
| gloomily-'as as well as one can be in this
vale of tears"
"Why, what the matter now?" Mamie
| asked, rcprcSSing q smile
do you mean, Mrs. MatChCy, that
you have never suspected the presence Of
the cankcr worm that is gnawng at the
bud of your domestic happiness?' asked
the old dame.
"What in the name of common sorse do
you mcan?"
"Ah, these wives-thcse innocent de-
luded, unsuspecting wivcsp' she groared..
If you had disguised yourself this morn
| ing, Mamie, and followed your wretchcd
husband to what he called business"-
"Well?" gasped Mamie.
"You would have seen sights that would
have curdled the very blood in your veins"
What sights" gasped poor Mamie, in
| voluntarily remembering the mysterious
| letter and feeling herself grow red and
pale under the unswerving goggles of her
! torturer.
well, if you really insist" said Mrs.
Bonneau, evidently enjoying the moment,
Il must tell you. l was at the Andes ho-
| tel not Is minutes since-dcar! dear! to
think that l should have to tell the tale
and he came there, all smiles and sweet
looks, to see the bold faced widow not
dressed in decent mourning" with
downward glance at her own funeral ha-
biliments, but all strcamers and Jet clasps
and necklaces. sat in the corner with
| my veil down, so that he could not recog-
| niZe me.
The carriage is ready, Mrs Arnott,'
said he. Pray let us lose no time-my
wife suspects nothing as yet And if
| you'll believe mo- away they went in "a
carriage"
81 do not believe it," broke from Mrs.
Matchleys lips.
But l asked the waiter afterward.
'Lor', ma'am, says he, that the gent as
has been coming to see Mrs. Arnott every
day for week
Il don't wish to alarm you, my dear,
but If they have eloped you won have the
least difficulty In obtaining divorce.
Goodby, my dear. I'd stay longer, only
have an appointment with the dressmaker
! at H."
And away rustled Mrs. Bonneau, leav-
ing musty smell of Grape and dye behind
her, while Mamie stood looking blankly
out of the window as if the sunny sky of
her young life were turned to leaden dark
ness already.
He will come back to me if he cares for
me, ;" she kept repeating to herself "He
said he would De here at 4, and if he comes
not shall know that he has ceased to
love me-"
How slowly the hours dragged along!
How spiritless it all seemed to poor Nam
" hen 10 of
an awful dread came upon her lest she had
| looked her last upon Hugh's face.
But punctually as the clock struck her
husband appeared in a carriage.
"Oh, Hugh, Hugh, l am so gladr' she
cried incOhcrently AS the open barouche
drove up to the door and she saw Hugh's
dark eyes shining cheerily from beneath
the shadow of his broad brimmcd Panama
| hat.
Mamie, what ails your" asked Hugh
as he alighted and handed his wife into
| the carriage and little Allie climbed up on
the seat to look into her mothers heavy
eyes and cried:
Mamma sick? Mamma feel bad?
| Allie so sorry"
At that moment the carriage stopped in
front of a pretty little cottage literally
| yeiled in crimson roses and spice scented
| honeysucklcs.
"Oh, what lovely placen cried Nan
ME, reused for an instant from her melan-
choly torpor.
Would you like it for "a home Nan
nie?" asked her husband.
Would you like it? Oh, Hugh! But
| you know we can't afford such place"
Cant t we, though, " said he, his whole
face radiant with happiness and triumph.
"'But we can. 1t is yours, Mamie"
"Mine?"
81 bought it this morning, and here
comes the lady who owned it, Mrs. Ar
mott, as an elderly person in black and a
| widows cap came out, ''this is my wife -
"Hugh, oh, Hugh, this was Mrs. Bon
neaus widow, then?'
Mrs. Bonncaus widow? My dear,
what do you mcan?"
And with scarlet blushes of shame Nam
ME told the story of Mrs. Bonncau's gos-
! sip and her own foolish jealousy
| "While all the time you were planning
20 give me pleasure, she sobbed. Dear
Hugh, will you forgive me?"
And Hugh forgave her.
IF you will promise never to be jealous
again, Mamie. New York News.
A Bad start.
| DOwntrod-Never write letters, young
man, that you'll regret in after life,