The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-09-27
IL COUNTY, MD. FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER p, 1901. NO. A.
don't you give 'em a cheer?"

don't you give 'em a cheer?"
Then, with her heart beating till II
seemed to shake her slight body, Mrs
Mayhem spoke. "To what am l in.
debted for this unexpected visit?"
Mrs. Hostetters speech had been Ions
prepared and committed to memory
but not word of it came. Whatever
the three women had expected to fine
behind that dove colored door, it was
certainly not that bed and it's dread oc
cupant. The room seemed whirline
around them. Mrs. Hostetter endeav.
ored to give utterance to some of hel
carefully prepared sentences and failed
dismally. Finally she faltered out
''We-we-that is-we wanted to have
talk with you"
"Well?
eve we've seen for long time that
somethn was a-goin ON right under
our very noses'-her voice strengthen.
ed as she went on-"and we concluded
we'd come and have a talk with you"-
"Well?"
"We'ye seen you hang that birdcage
out on the right hand side of the door
and then we've seen that fellow come
and stay and stay. We don't propose
to have such goin ons right under our
noses. You've got him hid here SOM
ers now. If your husband can't put q
stop to it, we can"
She paused, and there was intense ST.
lence for a moment. Then the old wo-
man cried out: "Why don't you give
'em a cheer? Be they ladies or bean't
theyY
II don't KNOW" said Mrs. Mayhem
and laughed out scornfully, but almost
instantly her face showed contrition.
"Oh, l didn't mean thatr' she cried,
turning imploringly to the women. Il
beg that you will forgive me. l know
you mean this in kindness, but your
words cut my heart like knives"
ooh, we didn't calculate to be re-
ceived on two chips" piped out Mrs.
Dean. eve braced up to do our dooty
like Christians, no matter how hard we
might be insulted." Her voice was as
sharp as her face.
You can't deceive us an atom" put
In Mrs. Frazer, determined to have her
laurels, too. mot an atom. We have
seen everything. We have even seen
the cold feelin's betwiXt you and Mr..
Mayhem, man that this hull town,
from one end to the other, looks up to.
Everybody has seen the cold feelin's
that's come betwixt you"
Now, indeed, Mrs. Mayhem was like
white lily smitten and crushed by a
storm. She chung. trembling, to the
chair and looked at them with dark,
terrified eyes.
"This-this is my mother" she fall
tered. "She Is old and feeble, and she
she had trouble. 1t affected her mind
| had her brought here so l could care
for her as daughter should" She
gathered courage as she went on. HE
my husband-did not wish it. He
thought it would be too much for my
strength, would make me ill. But It
would have killed me to see her TAX
en- She burst out into wild Sob
bling. 81 couldn't. But he was angry.
Oh, he made it hard for me to do my
duty to her! l almost went mad my
self. l gave up everything, and there
was so much work. l could not have
even one servant. could not bear that
any one should know. She was my
mother, my dear, faithful mother! My
heart has bled night and day, but l
have done my duty by her. He has
made it hard for me, but it has been
hard for him too. He does not see it in
the right light. He loves me so tender
ly that he feels my duty is to him only
There has been trouble between us be-
cause of it. Have you not seen that he
looks ill''-
eve have seen that" interrupted
Mrs. Hostetter deliberately. HE looks
mighty i'll. Most men would-to get
anonymous letters a-tellin 'em that
their wife hung out birdcages on the
right side of doors and that then men
come a-sneakin there
"Oh, surely" said Mrs. Mayhem,
gazing at her with wide, fascinating
eyes, mo one would be so cruel! Why,
he knew all about it. He is in the
house now. And, then, to hurt him
with such letter, to let him know
told me! He bore that, too, for my
sake, in silencep'
"Oh, he's in the house now, is he?"
cried Mrs. Dean in her shrill staccato
You'd like us to believe that, would
you? You'd like to make us believe he
knows all about the man you've got
hid som'ers here now"
Nothing would make us believe
your husband is in this house now but
seem him in the flesh and blood" said
Mrs. Hostetter solemnly. 'May the
Lord have mercy on you for a sinful
woman! Your only. hope of salvation
Is to make a full confession of your
sins. Bring out the partner of your
guilt!' she eXhorted in a loud voice.
Bring him out and let him suffer the
awful effects of his secret sin! Moth
in can save either of you but bein
purged with fire. Mebbe you think it
was pleasant fer us to come here and
be insulted? We've done our duty like
Christian women, and we're ready to
leave it all to the Lord. Bring out the
partner of your guilt
Her voice faltered. The door of an
inner room had opened. A young man
came slowly toward them.
Not greatly like triumphant lover
looked he. He was pale and haggard.
| The three women started and grasped
hold of one another convulsively. He
| faced them with an air of desperation.
you want to know who | ann" he