The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-01-29
(which statement,

proceeded 10 the sca-WNicn sfatcmckt,
OF course had the essence OF truth.
A little after the usual time Matthew
left the Office for home. More from
force OF habit than anything else he
bought an evening paper but he found
himself unable 10 make sense OF line
OF f. Ills eyes wandered 10 his fell
low-travelerG in the railway carriage.
Did any OF them anticipate domestic
storms? Had any OF them wandered
in similar fashion from the path OF
rectitude and purchased a few hours
of enjoyment at the price he was pay
ing?
The train drew up AT Hornsey and
Matthew found himself one OF a crowd
altering out Of the station. If only at
that moment he might be lost to sight
for evermore! When a married man
did disappear in that way. was not his
wife usually the cause?
He reached his garden-gate and
glanced furtively at the house. Mary
was invisible. lie screwed up courage
and mounted the steps. The house
maid opened the door 10 him.
rs your mistress in?"
Upstairs in her room. sir. She'll
be down directly"
He placed hat and papers on the hat
stand. Never had he entered his house
with such a peculiar feeling before II
was as though he had no right there,
and the next moment would see him
violently elected into the street
He passed into the dining-room and
was fishing under the sofa for his Slip
pers when his wife entered. He
screwed up courage to look her in the
face It's expression confirmed his
worst fears
YOU'RE home" she laconically re-
marked.
Not at all. Are you ready for din
ner?"
When I've found my other slipper.
You're late" continued Mrs. Pei
grove. Dinners been kept back a
quarter of an hour, and you know how
cross it makes cook. have something
serious to say 10 you after IT,"
Personally, Matthew would have
preferred having the matter out before
the meal: it would act like a night
mare on his digestion. But he sat
obediently up to the table and feigned
interest in the viands, maintaining for
appearance sake when the servant was
present a flow of small talk. to which
his wife shortly replied.
The meal ended and, folding up her
serviette, Mrs. Pelgroye planted her
elbows on the table. Her husband
recognized the omen and trembled.
Had a successful little trip, Mat
thew"
Yes, very-thank you,"
You don't seem up to the mark to-
night"
"A trifing headache. Travelling you
know. does shake one up a bit. That
reminds me. I've left my portmanteau
at the Office"
She made no comment Matthew
played with a salt-spoon. He could
not possibly meet her gaze
"Ive been dreadfully put out. Mat
thew. 7 discovered on Saturday-oh
it's too awful to speak about"
The blow was coming, and Pelgrove
turned hot all over. Mary was clearly
holding herself in. In a moment the
storm would break in all its violence
and a poor man who had done wrong
and knew It would 90 down before the
blast.
Il was sitting at this window quiet
ly sewing on Saturday morning, when
an open fly drove by. Mr.. and Mrs
Needham Smith were in it, and the
coachman had pile Of luggage beside
him. But what do you think Ars
Smith had on her head?"
I'm sure l don't know" replied
Matthew. puzzled. yet relieved. Some
thing absurd, suppose. A yachting
cap?"
NO. Matthew: worse than that
Just think Of the horror Of it, A hat
the precise image of my new one
Wasn't il a shock for me?"
Pelgrove saw daylight struggling
through.
Really" he exclaimed. excitedly
Where were they going?"
Il didn't know at the time. but the
grocer's man told me afterwards
| They were of TO spend a week al
Hastings. Why Matthew, what is the
matter with you?"
''Nothing-no nothing. | was Just think.
ing what a burning shame about that
hat. Mrs. Needham Smith has copied
IL. ! suppose. Now / remember. she
had hair much the same color as
yours. and thought perhaps il mishi
suit her"
1T doesn't. Matthew. she looks alb
solutely hideous in it, Oh. it's a scan.
dial! I've not stirred from the house
since; I was so upset shall never
| speak to that woman again. You are
not laughing?"
Rather not, I'm just as put out a.
you, Mary. When I've bought you 4
nice thing. It's too bad TO find ii imi
tated. What a pity for you womer
there isn't law Of copyright in hats,'
He felt like a school-boy again. 81
il was Mrs. Needham Smith who haC
4 IA Ell