Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-08-28

for he is so reticent regarding his
own affairs. Why, we have been mar
ried is years, though were II not Tor
my son and daughter, both of whom
will soon be as tall as 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 astonishment, and as
the scene ut the florists two months
before flashed across his mind, his in
diRnation knew no bounds. But by
an effort he quietly made few more
commonplace remarks, bade her good
night and returned to the hotel.
"The scoundrell" thought he, ito
be untrue TO such fne'litt 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! feel like shoot
ing hiin!"
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. lie
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 troubled sleep, to
dream that Mrs. Mayhem. pale-faced
and wan, stood by his side piteously
saying:
"Oh. why didn't you tell me? II
you had 1t might have been in time
for me to have led him back out Of
the snares that wicked girl laid for
him. And now-he is gone, gone, and
my heart Is brokenl"
Late in the morning he awoke,
more impressed than ever that il was
his duty to warn the l-rOnged wife,
disagreeable though II might be. So
he secured writing material, and
paper, he finally composed 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 III 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
might be brought to bear that would
connteract any evil tolls into which
her husband had-probably uncon-
sciouBly-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 n white inclosure was handed in
at his door. He tore IL open and
read:
Mr.. Horace worth-Denr Sir: To say
that l was amazed at the contents Of your
note falls far short OF expressing my feel
ings. IL not asking too much OF you. will
you please oal at my home at four o'clock
this afternoon7 appreciate your intended
Kindness. reserve all else to say to you In
person. Sincerely yours,
AGATHA MAYHEM"
The writing showed signs Of agita-
Hon. and II 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 oountenance.
"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-
heying. At first | was angry over
your intimation, hut / believe you to
be n gentleman, and that you took
the course that you did from sense
of duty. Fifteen years ago the goth
of last March we were married. On
that never-to-be-forgotten day, /
wore n bunch OF violets, and the
table where the simple luncheon was
spread was decorated with the same.
Since that day, the Goth OF March
has never failed to bring from my
dear, thoughtful husband, a fragrant
OF violets; and two months
ago. as usual. when he Is absent at
that time, there came by express
box OF the sweet flowers, containing
this card" and she held out the we'll
remembered bt OF bristol board. on
which was written, "To my darling,
with hearts best love--Laurence.
THE next mail" continued she.
drought his usual daily letter, in
which he told the joke OF your sup
posing he was bachelor, how you
asked II he was sending flowers to
his best girl, and Of his reply That
Is just like Laurence, to have little
quiet fun at your expense, by never
correcting your erroneous supposi-
tion. l hope you will forgive him
for II, just as have forgiven you
for your Hlanderous thoughts OF my
husband" and she smilingly ex-
tended her hand
just how Mr. Worth managed to
take her hand and bow over 1t, STAN
mer out his sincere apologies, and
get out into the street, he never
could clearly remember But it is u
fact that when he finally found ref
uge in his room at the hotel. he feel
ingly remarked TO himself:
81 wish had three feet, so |
could stand on two Of them, and
kick myself with the other!"-Lum-
Der Review.