Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-11-06

GD ment"
The duteous dependent obeyed, then
slipped from the room to push inves-
LEGATIONS upon plan Of her own. In
a quarter Of an hour she reappeared
with an agitated, yet important counte-
nance. that arrested her cousins re-
CARDS.
What is it? Where is she?" he de-
manded, impa emily. You have heard
something. Tell me at once what II
is'"
Harriet collapsed as gracefully as her
unpliant sinews and stays would allow
into knssling heap upon the floor at
his feet. my beloved cousin! My dear,
deceived angel! I have heard nothing
that surprised me- I dared not speak
Of 1t to you before now, agonizing as
was my solicitude. You would have
driven me from you in anger had
whispered a word of what has been the
town gossip for months, to which you
only we're blinded by your noble, your
generous, your superhuman commence
in your betrayers. l see that you are
partially prepared for the blow" as he
grew pale and tried without success
to interrupt her. Brace yourself for
what you must know, my poor, Ill used
darling! Your brother and your wife
have eloped to Europe in company"
For one second the husband stagger-
ed under the shock His eyes closed
suddenly, as at flash of lightning,
and his features were distorted, as In
\ wrench of mortal pain. Then all that
was true and dignified in the man raj
lied to repel the insult to the two he
had trusted and loved 81 do not be-
iieve it." he said distinctly and with
deliberate emphasis. "You are the dupe
pf some mischievous slanderer, my good
woman. Edward Withers is the soul
Of integrity, and my wife's virtue is
lncorruptible Who told you this ab-
surd tale?"
MRS Withers stated to you that she
was going to drive alone this after
noon, did she not?" Harriet forget the
pathetic in the malicious triumph as
she proceeded to prove her rivals guilt.
"You heard her say it, laconically,
and still on the defensive.
"Yet John says she called by the Of
fee to take up Mr.. Edward Withers,
and that they drove in company to
the wharf, where lay an ocean steam
er. He saw them go on board, arm IN
arm, and, although he waited on the
pier as long as the vessel was in sight,
they did not return"
IT will see the man myself"
Crossing the room with firmer step
than had been his since his illness. Mr..
Withers rang the bell and summoned
the coachman. His evidence tailed ex-
actly with Harriet's report, and she nat
tered herself that the inquisitor's man
ner was shade less confident when the
witness was dismissed.
you have said that this disappear
anee was no matter of surprise to you,
and added something about vulgar Cos
sin. I wish a full explanation" he said,
still magisterially.
Thus hidden, Harriet told her tale.
Before their return to the city in the
autumn, she had seasons OF anxiety
relative to the intimacy between Mr..
Edward Withers and his beautiful sis
ter-in-law Not, the unsuspecting viz
gin was careful to affirm, that she
doubted then the good faith and right
intentions Of either, but she feared lest
Mrs. Withers' part;ality for the younger
brother might render her negligent OF
her husbands happiness and comfort
The winter festivities had brought the
two into a peculiarly unfortunate po-
sition for the growth of domestic vir-
progress OF the fatal attachment which
was now beyond the possibility OF a
doubt. Although one of the family,
and known to be welded to their in
terests. she had not been able to deter
busy bodies from sly and overt mention
of the scandal in her hearing. She had,
on such occasions, taken the liberty of
rebuking the offender, and maintain
tnx. In her humble way, the honor of
her benefactors' name. But she could
not silence city full Of tongues, and
they had wagged fast and loudly of
the husbands indiscreet confidence In
the guilty parties, and their shameless
treachery.
He checked her when she would have
filated upon this division OF her sub
iect. Il will have no hearsay evidence.
What have you seen? ?"
rIarriet demurred, blushingly, not, as
Il PRESENTLY appeared. because she had
zen 80 little but so much. Duets,
vocal and instrumental, had been the
Ahiclss of living intercourss-hand-
squeezing, meaning signs and whispers
Her blood had often boiled furiously