The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-19
The Week S Love Story
BY D. \. METTO.


pie wrong Impressions, and yet she bore the
important title of-MFs. st. John Irving
Her husband, who was decidedly grave and
sedate, thought she did not support his
name with sufficient dignity.
Everyone wondered how two people so
totally unlike as st. John Irving and Adele
Montgomery had ever been drawn together,
but it is true saying that people like their
opposltes.
My DEAR" said Mr. Irving one day as he
entered the apartment where his bride was
sitting, II have heard something very
strange"
What was it?" asked Adele.
Il heard that your parents were very
much opposed to our union, and that we
were obliged to elope at night by jumping
out of the back window, and that then we
had gone Immediately to the clergyman and
had been married without the knowledge of
our parents, who, In consequence, had dis
inherited you and had refused to have any
thing more to do with you"
How very strangei'' exclaimed Adele,
'how could such a report have originated?'
Have you not said something in fun that
might have given rise to it?'
mo-" said Adele, thoughtfully, and then
she added, "Oh, now 1 do remember, the
other day, when Vivian Lovejoy was here
you know she has such a perfect horror OF
old gentlemen She asked me, In her inno-
cent way, how 1 came to marry person
so much older than myself. For my part
said she, I never should wish to marry an
old man, and pa and ma wouldn't let me
II did, She Is such an honest little crea-
ture, and always takes everything SO liter
ally, that wished to astonish her, SO re-
piled, 4 sprang out of the back window at
night while my parents were asleep, and
was married quite early next morning. 1
suppose that must have been the. way the
story originated, and 1t has gained, OF
course, by circulation.
"But, Adele, what did possess you to say
such a thing?" continued Mr.. Irving.
"Only for mischief: I meant to undeceive
her before she left, but forgot it."
"Do you think 1t right to say what is not
true, even in fun, Adele?" asked her hus-
band with grave look.
"But 1t really was strictly true,>St John;
for do you not recolect my telling you that
the night before we were married, became
alarmed by cry of fire next door, and
sprang out of the window which was near
the ground, and as soon as the first feeling
of fear was over I returned to waken my
father and mother"
"What you said then was true in the let
ter. but not so In the spirit?" asked Mr.. r.
wing, as he gazed earnestly into his, wifes
face.
"Now. grandpa" said Adele, as she strols-
me a sermon, for was only in fun when
said 1t, and I think people might under
stand me; everyone Is so dreadfully matter
of-fact"
Adele laughed and wondered what made
her husband so very sober, and wished that
he was little more playful; while he, In
his turn, wished that his wife was not quite
so full of spirits. But he had still consid-
cradle annoyance to go through with before
Adele gave up this little propensity.
1t was all in vain that he talked to her
about dignity.
ct am afraid, my dear, that your fun will
give me considerable trouble" said Mr.. r.
wing to his wife one day, after another
strange report had reached his ears-the
result of Mrs. Irving's love Of fun
"I am very sorry" said Adele, as she
raised her sweet childish face to his.
AS he bent down to imprint a kiss on
those rosy lips, he felt half tempted to give
up the plan which he had formed for pre-
venting further mischief, but he recollected
that many times her love for fun had drawn
them into trouble, and with an effort ne re-
solved to carry 1t through.
at shall have to leave you for few days,
my dear"
6'Leave mel" she exclaimed. "For what?"
"I am obliged to go south tomorrow
morning on business, but 1 will make my
stay as short as possible"
IT was with heavy heart that Adele re-
tired that night. She could not bear the
thought of being separated from her hus-
hand even for a few days, and her ever ac-
tive imagination conjured up all sorts OF
dreadful things which might happen to one
or the other Of them before they should
meet again. But 1t was necessary for him
TO 90. and the next morning she followed
him TO the door received his parting kiss,
and then returned to her room to cry
In the afternoon the bright sun seemed
to invite her out for walk. and she ac-
fnaR nf
friends. but some bowed coldly, while 9TH
ers passed her with scornful look. AT one
time she discovered two ladies conversing
together and looking at her. What could
it mean? Then she caught the words;
every strange, is 1t not?"
en- nnsuited to each other, that one can
scarcely wonder at It,
nThat is true" continued the first. he
is so grave, and she is so full of mischief
AS Adele walked quickly on wondering
what they could mean, and IL 1t were posi-
BILE that they referred to her, she lost the
remainder of their conversation
She returned to her house feeling sick at
heart and earnestly longing for her husband
to come back to her. What she had heard
puzzled her; she felt sure that some false
report had been circulated, but how she
could not tell. While she was musing on
this subject the door opened and Mrs. Aims
bury was announced. Adele rose to receive
her visitor, who remarked in a very COM
miserating tone:
you poor little creature. 1 have come in
on purpose to console with your
"Thank you," said Adele, mistalking her
meaning, 81 almost think need coincidence,
being left in this great house with only the
servants"
yes" continued Mrs Ainsbury, ''but you
may be sure that everyone will take your
part, for people always do sympathize with
the ladies', you know. think he was a per-
feet wretch to leave you, and so soon, too"
Her meaning began to break upon Adele's
mind and she exclaimed almost fiercely,
"Of whom are you speaking?''
.'Mr. Irving" replied Mrs. Ainsbury. in
some surprise at Adeles excited manner,
II heard that he had quarreled with you,
and that was the reason of the separation;
and knowing that you must feel lonely I
hastened to offer my sympathy, trusting
that you would excuse the intrusion"
Our heroine drew herself up with consld-
cradle dignity as she replied: "Alow me
to say that you have been quite misinform-
ed; this is the first time that I have heard
of any quarrel and the separation was