The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-09-23


own affairs. Why, we have been mar
ried Is years, though were it not for
my son and daughter, both of whom
viii soon be as tall as l am, | could
hardly realize it had been so long by
half" and again she laughed mer-
rily.
1t was with difficulty that Horace
restrained his establishment, and as
the scene at the florists two months
before flashed across his mind, his in
dignation knew no bounds. But by
an effort he quietly made few more
commonplace remarks, babe her good
night and returned to the hotel.
THE scoundrel!" thought he, ito
be untrue to such fine little woman
as that, and the mother of his chill
dren, too, just because he has been at
tracted by the pretty face of some
young girl, while his wife's hair is
gray, like his own! 1 feel like shoot
ing him!"
He sought his room and bed, but it
was nearly dawn before sleep visited
his eyelids, so wrought up was he
over his discovery of the evening. He
felt he ought to warn her, the poor
little, unsuspecting, wronged wife,
and yet he dreaded to be the eXecu-
toner of the love and trust with
which her face was radiant while
speaking of her husband. At length
he dropped into a troubled sleep, to
dream that Mrs. Mayhem, pale-faced
and wan, stood by his side piteously
saying:
"Oh, why didn't you tell me? If
you had it might have been in time
the snares that wicked girl laid for
him. And now-he is gone, gone, and
my heart is broken!"
Late in the morning he awoke,
more impressed than ever that it was
his duty to warn the N~fonged wife,
disagreeable though it might be. So
he secured writing material, and
after destroying sheet after sheet of
paper, he finally composed a note in
which he told her, in as gentle man
ner as possible, of the episode at the
florists, and closed by begging her
not to think i'll of him for being the
bearer of such news, as he very
greatly regretted the necessity he
felt he was under to warn her, and
expressing the hope that with her
knowledge of the affair, an influence
might be brought to bear that would
counterfeit any evil tolls into which
her husband had-probably uncon-
sciously-fallen, and that happiness
might once again be hers. This note
he dispatched by the bell boy, about
the time he judged she might have
returned from church. A half hour
later white Enclosure was handed in
at his door. He tore it open and
read:
Mr. Horace Worth-Dear Sir: To say
That | was amazed at the contents of your
note falls far short of expressing my feel
lngs. If not asking too much of you will
YOU please call at my home at four o'clock
this afternoon? I appreciate your intended
Kindness. l reserve all else to say to you in
person. Sincerely yours,
AGATHA MAYHEM"
The writing showed signs of agita-
ton, and it was with quickly beating
heart that Mr.. Worth presented him
self at Mrs. Mayhew's door, at the
appointed hour. He was admitted by
the maid and shown into the parlor,
where he was at once joined by Mrs
Mayhem. The pallid face and swollen
eyes, for which he was prepared
were absent. Instead she greeted him
with smiling countenance.
Mr.. Worth" said she, 81 sent for
you, not-as you probably supposed
to question you farther concerning
my dear husband, but to free your
mind from the unjust charges which
I give you the credit of honestly be
lieving. At first 1 was angry over
your intimation, but L believe you tt
be gentleman, and that you tool
the course that you did from a sense
of duty. Fifteen years ago the 2Otl
of last March we were married. Or
that never-to-be-forgotten day,
wore a bunch of violets, and the
table where the simple luncheon wa.
spread was decorated with the same
Since that day, the goth of Marcel
has never failed to bring from m,
dear, thoughtful husband, Fragrant
cluster of violets; and two month,
ago, as usual, when he is absent a
that time, there came by express
box of the sweet flowers, containing
this card" and she held out the well
, remembered bit of bristol board, OF
which was written, ITO my darling
with a hearts best love-Laurence
; 'The next mail" continued she
brought his usual daily letter, il
which he told the joke of your sup
posing he was bachelor, how yo,
asked if he was sending flowers t,
: his best girl, and of his reply. Tha
, is Just like Laurence, to have a littl
, quiet fun at your expense, by neve
correcting your erroneous supposi
tion. l hope you will forgive hin
. for it, just as l have forgiven yo,
for your slanderous thoughts of m,
| husband" and she smilingly ex
tended her hand.
just how Mr.. Worth managed t.
take her hand and bow over it, STAN
mer out his sincere apologies, an
, rrat inf ha 81, l.