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

her TO appear in this quarter.
Out of breath with his unusual ex-
nepJlture Of -eIs+@.. Pelgrove dropped
his run 10 walk and glanced furtivey
back. Thank goodness, that hat with
the flaming, artificial ower-garden in
IL. visible for fully 100 yards with the
naked eye, was not in sight Mary
had not seen him, then. lie walked
on hurriedly TO the small hotel where
he was stopping.
Arrived there, Pelgroye sought the
smoking-room and put TO the test the
nerve-soothing properties OF a good
cigar. What an escape! lie hated a
scene in public. and that his wife evil
IDENTIFY sought. Here at least he would
be safe. for no one knew where he was
stopping. AS long as he kept well hid
his privacy would not be invaded. I'M
less, indeed (perish the thoughtl), his
wife sought in turn every hotel in
Hastings.
That evening Pelgrove made himself
fairly content with illustrated papers.
Next morning the sun rose in a cloud
less sky and everything pointed To a
day of perfect weather He lonGed TO
venture -th-but, no. If he stepped
outside malevolent chance would GER
tainly send him straight into the arms
of his wife. lie could not even sit at
the window and be famed by the
breeze, lest she should pass below and
catch glimpse of him. The scene be-
tween them must come, but better-far
better-that it should be reserved for
tomorrow evening. when their next
door neighbors at Hornsey (the Pei
groves occupied a semi-detached resi-
dence) should alone be edited
Towards nightfali Matthew became
exceedingly restless AS an additional
cause Of grievance not speck of cloud
had showed itself in the sky, and
everybody abroad looked more than
usually happy. over a whisky and
soda--the despairing effort of an alb
stemious man to revive his spirits
Matthew groaned His impromptu
holiday was not doing him the least bit
of good Better pickering at Hornsey
than Imprisonment in Hastings. with
that dreadful shadow of the morrow
hanging over his head.
Il dom. care: I'm going out he said
to himself, when the sun had set and
chances of recognition we're slighter
Pulling his hat well over his head
and turning up his coat-collar. Matthew
ventured outside But despite the Sc
renity of the night he did not enjoy
the walk One thought intruded-
would he meet his wife? He peered
into the dark corners Of shelters be-
fore he passed them; a dozen times
in the dim light other women's hats
assumed the appearance Of hers.
When people streamed out OF church
and the crowd on the esplanade grew
thicker Matthew decided 10 return to
the hotel. This weekend at the sea-
side was an entire fiasco.
AS he passed through the hall the
young woman in charge of the Office
spoke TO him.
Some people called for you when
you were out. sir"
oh" replied Matthew, with ill-as-
sumed unconcern. who were they?'
"A lady and gentleman. Said they
had seen your name in the visitors
list They left no cards"
Gould you-er-describe them?"
81 only spoke to the lady. sir The
gentleman kept behind. He looked
rather seedy beside her"
you cant remem Der at all how she
was dressed?'
1T was too dark 20 see much, and
we hadn't lit up. She had on won
derful hat, though" Pelgrove started
Il couldn't help noticing that; il was
so startling. What my young man
would call a kind of conservatory with
the glass left out thought it would
hardly go through the door unless she
stepped back sideways. but some won
en- know how TO carry that style OF
thing." and the young lady shifted by
/ way OF slight contempt, and returned
TO her ledger
pelgrove had not moved The blow
had fallen. his wife was hot on the
scent. But who could her companion
be? Seedily dressed. Ell? Probably
some private inquiry agent whose serv.
ices she had enlisted.
did they say-er-they would re-
.urn to-nlght?" Matthew stammered.
NO. sir. Said nothing about that
/ Where shall find you If they do"
I'm going to bed. have-er--s
lad headache. Have my bill ready
early in the morning, please?'
Twenty minutes later Matthew was
snugly between the sheets. Yet. ever
there. was a man safe from his Wife
| He listened nervcusly TO every noise
on the stairs. fancying her step in the
tread OF every chambermaid, and |
was fully couple of hours before h
sank into Inconsistencies.
How Matthew Pelgrove transacted
his business next day he does not per
fectly remember. Even in the days O
his apprenticeship he never glanced SC
many times al the clock. But will
how different a motivel Then 1t wa