The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-03
"aIr Harold Jones.
Care Of Jones. Joaes Co, Brokers.
',prrannnl Albany \ w

nine handi read:
mir. Harold Jones.
Care OF Jones. jones Co, Brokers.
personal Albany " y"
Harold Jones was AZ his desk I'm his
dingy little private office, busy with ths
morning mail, when he found this littlt
blue-faced, red-stamped intruder among
the pile OF business letters which awaited
his attention lie picked up the innocent-
looking little missive and iurncd IL over
several times before he opened IL and
read:
Dear Sir: II YOU will take friend :
advice YOU Will not stay IN Boston Thurs
day night, as usual. Better go home and
surprise your wife. word 10 the wise Is
sufficient. o. w. h"
Jones sat gIaring at II for a few min
utes. then, with a grunt OF disgust, he
consigned the mIssive and It's blue con-
tainer 20 the depths OF the waste basket
and resumed his attack on the pile OF
mail matter before him.
But Jones was an excitable. imaginative
man with jealous disposition. The fer
ment of jealousy once set working would
not be quieted by his better Judgment
That letter. the distrust that was creep
ing in, gave poor Jones no peace that
morning.
Mr.. Harold Jones went home 60 lunch.
a thing he had not done for months, as he
found II more convenient 10 get a sand
wich and cup OF coffee down town.
Jones had been married a little more
than five years. Just a year and day
after the wedding a little son had come
TO brighten their home life. They lived
happily Just outside the city. Quarrels IN
the Jones family were few and far be-
tween, but there was no doubt about the
fact that Jones was unreasonsbly Jealous
of his wife.
When Jones, on this particular day,
turned up so Unexpectedly at the cottage
for luncheon he found the house empty.
Mrs. Jones and son were out II was the
worst thing that could have happened 10
Jones in his perturbed frame OF mind
To begin with he could not find the key
to the pantry and must needs 40 hungry
or return to town for lunch Then rum
maging about the house he found lying
on the dressing table in his wife's room
an open letter, the writing undoubtedly
masculine
lie did not intend TO read it but every
time he passed through the room the
thing stared at him and seemed 20 beckon
10 him. Then he yielded and took the
thing 10 the window. what ne said is not
at for publication. The letter read:
Dearest Nellie: Let me know II that
husband OF yours is going TO leave you
alone Thursday night, as usual. III he Is
i will be over, so you will not he alone.
WILL"
Mrs. Jones called at her husbands Of
fee down town and was surprised 10
learn that he had not returned from
lunch. She and Harold. Jr., were soon
mingiing with the other shoppers in one
of the large department stores. When Mrs
Jones set her face homeward she felt
duly elsted over successful bargain hunt
ing. and had never a suspicion OF the
tempest brewing I'm the library.
No need 10 dwell on the scene which
her home coming. Jones was un-
fortunate I'm his choice OF words and ne
could not keep his temper lie had been
nursing his wrath and imagined wrongs
for nearly three hours and on an empty
stomach AT that. Mrs. Jones surprised re-
ply TO his volcanic outburst fell on deaf
ears. his eyes blinded by jealousy failed
TO see that which he should have seen
unjust suspicion stung her deeply, and
then pride stepped i'm and forbade any at
tempt az further explanation. She never
saw the evil little blue-tinted missive. IL
was hiding IN Jones pocket. lie did not
mention IL.
When the door of the Jones cottage
opened, an hour later Mrs. Jones and son
appeared on the threshold and few min
utes later n car was bearing them
q MI 10. ther
the night at the club.
A week passed aud Jones heard moth
ing from HIS wife, and he had had plenty
Of time TO cool down. The first few days
OF that week life had been n burden for
the stenographer and the office boy.
Now Jones Was beginning TO ask him
self If he had been fair and II perhaps
the whole thing had not been a deliberate
plan TO cause trouble between himself
and wife. Nellie had never before given
him any real cause for jealousy She
had been patient. forbearing and loving
always. That note on the dresser--would
she have left IL there il there had been
10 conceal?
IL IL wasn't for that odious little blue
tinted disturber he would never have |
with Nellie. Perhaps that note
who wanted TO destroy his happiness. |
Well, they had succeeded, anyway. for |
Nellie was deeply wounded aud would |
surely seek a separation.
The cottage had been empty for a week, l
'or Jones spent his nights at the club. /
When Jones thought OF the little home /
now abandoned, and OF the dear little |
who was always on the step /
20 greet him on his return from town and /
hat All that. and the sweet-faced wife i
who met him at the door was lost TO 1
lin. q great lump would come to his |
hruat
Then came a messenger from "William |
Downs. attorney -at-law:'' he was Nellie's /
BROTHER, requesting that Mr. Harold /
tones would call at his office ON Broad
way within an hour 60 attend 20 = legal |
ma tier, the naturc OF which was private"
Jones felt sure & was "a separation" but |
10 went
I'm her brothers office pretty Mrs. |
oncs sat by the window holding her bov. 4
While her brother talked earnestly to her |
II have sent for Harold. Nellie. and m /
- IL not fool and Il YOU two will only |
10 sensible, ! can fix u all right about |
ny note 20 you,' he was saying when the
oor open 10 admit Mr.. Harold Jones
The boy ran To meet his father. who |
aught him I'm his arms and covered his
hubby little face with Kisses Mrs
ones tried To look out of the window. hut