Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-09-30

4ueSuay mornings BREAKFAST mad
been silent one. There had been g
ball the night before at some great
place on Massachusetts avenue; but
no one spoke Of It, Miss futile made
some remark about friend she had
met there, but as no one listened to
her she soon stopped and in little
while left the table. Mr.. and Mrs.
Jeffrey sat on, but neither said any
thing. Finally Mr.. Jeffrey rose and,
speaking in voice hardly recognize
able, remarked that he had something
to say to her, and led the way to their
room. Mrs. Jeffrey looked frightened
hs she followed him; so frightened that
1t was evident that something very
serious had occurred or was about to
occur between them. AS nothing of
this kind had ever happened before,
Loretta could not help waiting about
till Mr.. Jeffrey reappeared. and when
he did SO, and she saw no signs of re-
lief In his face or manner she watch
ed, with the silly interest of girl
who had nothing else to occupy her
mind, to see II he would leave the
house in such mood and without
making peace with his young bride.
To her surprise, he did not go out at
the usual time, but went to Miss Tut
ties room, where for full half hour
he remained closeted with his sister
tn-law, talking in excited and unnatu-
raj tones. Then he went back for a
few minutes to where he had left his
wife in her own boudoir. But he could
not have had much to say to her this
time, for he presently came out again
and ran hastily downstairs and out,
almost without stopping to catch up
his hat.
AS it was Mary's business, and not
the witness', to make Mrs. Jeffrey's
bed In the morning, Loretta could
think of no excuse for approaching her
mistress room at this moment; but
later, when letters came, followed by
various messages and some visitors,
she went more than dozen times to
Mrs. Jeffrey's door. She was not adj
mitted, nor We're her appeals answer.
ed, except by sharp go awayw
Nor was Miss futile received any
better, though she tried more than
once to see her. sister, especially as
night came on and the hour approach
ed for Mr.. Jeffrey's return. Mrs. JEFF
frey was simply determined to remain
alone, and when dinner time arrived,
and no Mr.. Jeffrey, she could be In
duced to open her door only wide
enough to take in the cup of tea which
Miss Tuttle insisted upon sending her.
The witness here confessed that she
bad been very much excited by these
unusual proceedings and by the effect
which they seemed to have on the lady
Just mentioned, 50 she was ready to
potce that Mrs. Jeffrey's hand shook
like that of an old and palsied woman
when she reached out for the tray.
Gladly would Loretta have caught
one glimpse Of her face, but it was hid.
den by the door; nor did Mrs. jeffrey
answer single one Of her questions
She simply closed her door and kept II
so till toward midnight, when Miss
Tuttle, coming into the hall, ordered
the house to be closed for the night
Then the long shut door softly swung
open; but, before any one could reach
1t, it was again pulled to and locked.
The next day brought no relief. Miss
futile, who had changed greatly dur
ing this unhappy day and night, sue
ceedeG no better than before in getting
| ACCESS to her sister, nor could Loretta
gain the least word from her mistress
till toward the latter part Of the after
noon, when that lady, ringing her bell
gave her first order.
"a substantial dinnerp' she cried
And when Loretta, greatly relieved
brought up the required meal she was
astonished to find the door open ant
herself hidden to enter. The sigh
which met her eyes staggered her
From one end Of the ROOM to the Other
were signs Of great nervous unres
and of terrible suffering. The chairs
were pushed into corners as If the
wretched bride had tramped the fool
IN an agony Of excitement Curtains
were torn, and the piano cover was
hanging half on and half of the oper
upright, as If she had clutched at it tt
keep herself from falling. On the foo
beneath lay several pieces of broker
china-vases of whose value Mrs. JET
frey had often spoken, but which, jerket
off with the cover, had been left WHERE
they fell-while Immediately in from
Of the fireplace lay one of the rugs
tossed into heap, as If she had rolled
in 1t on the floor or used it to smother
her cries Of pain or anger.
So much for the state in which thu
witness found the boudoir. The I'D
Joining bedroom was not in much bet
ter case, though 1t was evident that tn,
bed itself had not been lain in since i
was made up the day before at break
fast time. By this token. Mrs. Jeffre,
| Loretta on
tho witness stand
30 - III