Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-09-19
HONESTY THE BEST.


trunk the other rainy afternoon, Mrs
Justspliced found at the bottom thereof a
somewhat warped tintype, cabinet size, rep
resenting Mr. Justsplieed in neat white
flannel suit, a straw hat and canvas shoes,
and with a cigar held rakishly in his hand,
standing beside a rustic chair in which
was seated an exceedingly pretty, dark
haired Girl in a white duck dress, and with
a lacy-iringed parasol resting in her lap.
The shock to Mrs. Justsplieed was some
thing terrible.
~Who Is the creaturey" she repeated over
and over. "NYho can she be- II she only
wasn't so pretty The bold thing Who
can she be? Tom never told me word
about her. , never saw him IN white
flannel suit ! never knew he wore a
white flannel suit Mereiful heavens, who
can the creature bey'
Mrs. Justsplieed really worked herself
up to a frenzy, She didn't know whether
10 show the tintype TO her mother-who
was visiting her-or not. But she finally
decided to show it to her mother.
"Ahal" exclaimed Mrs. Justsplieed's
mother, as soon as she clapped eyes on the
itintype "Ahal He's beginning early,
isn't he;"
"Oh," said Mrs Justspliced, but that
must have been taken a long time ago,
mamma See how young he looks.
Don't you believe any such thing for
moment!" rasped Mrs. Justspliced's
mother. Don't you dream OF any such
'oolish thing! 1t was taken last summer,
only few months after you were mar
ried. when he said he had TO 60 over 70
New York on business. You cant fool me!
It's the white flannel suit that makes him
look so young Oh, the deceitful brute. 1
won't hear OF you living with him an.
other hour, my dearl
Mrs. Justspliced wept hopelessly and
looked very miserable indeed.
"Of course" went on her mother, sar-
oastically, "hell have ONE plausible ex-
planation-me always have some plausible
explanation. But don't you let him pun
the wool over your eyes. He'll try e tell
YOU that the picture was take five OF SIX
wears ago-long before he knew you-and
that he didn't care whit for the creature,
hut lust had the tiutype taken for a lark
Or he'll try TO tell you that IT'S picture
az his pretty cousin who lives down m
! the City OF Mexico, or the daughter o. MS
| landhdy while he was stopping down az
| the seash0re back in 1895, or some such
deceitful story as that Or he'll tell you
| that sle was some young woman WIRE az
tende the same Christian Endeavor con-
venti, that he attended. Never fear be u
have some cocxaud-bull story all ready
as soon as You show him the picture
these men But don't YOU believe nm
They're not to be believed
Il ho-ho-hope it's not so ba-ba-bad as
! that" sobbed Mrs Justspliced, drearlly.
Mr.. Justspliced found her, with very red
ewes. waiting Tor him in the parlor when he
! cot home from the office She didn't hestow
| her usual salutation upon him, but silently
handed him the guilty tintype, with these
words:
aHow could you deceive me! Who is the
creature!'
Mr.. Justspliced took the tintype, looked
at il for a moment. and didn't become red
in the face or lustered at al.
Where did you get hold Of this!- he in
quired, in his usual tone. I'D forgotten
that il was in existence
nIn the bottom OF your old trunk, replied
Mrs. Justspliced, dabbing AZ her eyes.
| "Who is sheg You never told me about her.
| Did YOU lo-lolove the horrid thing
Mr.. Justspliced was aware Of a rustic IN
he hall. and he knew that his mother-in-
| law was listening But that didn't appear
70 bother him any.
"Weu. yes" he replied. Il was pretty
/ fond OF that girl al one time-mighty fond
OF her. We went to school together and
/ grew up together, aud ! used 70 carry her
I books back in my native town Of Oswego,
New York. Her name is Laura Goodkins,
4 She was-and is vet, | haven't the slightest
/ doubt-a powerfully nice girl was en-
gagged to be married 10 her-let's see, il was
/ about ten years ago. But her folks Oh
ieeted to her marrying me because didn't
have any money, and the engagement was
cancelled owing TO their objections we
used to sing in the choir together IN Oswego
She had a ine voice. As you see she was
extremely good looking As ] say, j was
very fond OF her for number q years, and
| have now no reason 20 feel anything els'
but the kindest regard for her. She was
cultured and high-minded young woman
Yes, we exchanged what you might call low
letters-thousands Of them, ! dare say.
love YOU. Of course. very much more thar
| ever loved her. | lost track 81 her Tor nv
years. until | met her on the board walk y
: Atlantic City in the summer Of $50, when
. spent a month there. was glad TO see he
, and to renew our friendship. She had tw'
exceedingly pretty children then, boy am
girl, and appeared 70 be very fond OF he
husband. She had married her HUSBAND
D against the wishes Of her people, who wer
o and are-well to do, and there had been n
reconciliation with them when l met hei
Y and when that tintype was taken. Her hu'
, band. bv the way, took the tintype. lie wa
y the proprietor Of a tintype factory on "a
4 board walk. and seemed very pleasan
: sort Of fellow. | went out with them IN
. ouently Of evenings while was IN Atlanu
\ City. and enjoyed their companionship.
/ The husband was quite fully aware {
\ my former engagement % his wife, and va
I. sensible enough not 20 make any wry fac'
a over il Took it an very goodnaturedly, ]
4 fact, and rallied me for my failing 70 g
q. her. have never seen either OF them sin'
1 that summer. Anything else
I'll Mr.. Justspliced heard a retreating swis
e, OF skirts in the ball. and be knew that !
le had won out.
Il knew YOU wouldn't tel me stoi
about it /" sobbed Mrs Justspiced. restii
! her head on the lapel Of his orercoat, "an
| think you are Just as truthful and cand
N