Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-06-29

own ana1rs. why, we nave peeh mar
ried Is years, though were it not for
my son and daughter, both OF whom
will soon be as tall as / am, could
hardly realize 1t 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 at the florists two months
before flashed across his mind, his in
dignation 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, "to
be untrue to such fine little 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 him!"
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. He
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 it 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 beoken!"
Late in the morning he awoke.
more impressed than ever that it was
his duty to warn the ,~.onged wife,
disagreeable though it might be. So
he secured writing material, and
after destroying sheet after sheet of
paper, he finally composed a note in
which he told her, In as gentle a man
ner as possible, of the episode at the
florists, and closed by begging her
not to think i'll 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
knowledge of the affair, an influence
might be brought to bear that would
counteract any evil tolls into which
her husband had-probably uncon-
sciously-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 white inclosure was handed in
at his door. He tore It open and
read:
Mr.. Horace worth-Dear Sir: To say
that was amazed at the contents of your
note falls far short Of expressing my feel
lngs' II not asking too much OF you. will
you please cali at my home at four o'clock
this afternoon l appreciate your intended
Kindness reserve all else to say to you in
person. Sincerely yours.
AGATHA MAYHEM"
The writing showed signs of agita-
ton, and 1t was with quickly beating
heart that Mr.. Worth presented him
self at Mrs. Mayhews door. at the
appointed hour. lie was admitted hy
the maid and shown into the parlor.
where he wns 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 countenance.
"Mr WORTH" said she. "I 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
| give you the credit of honestly be-
lieving. At first ! was angry over
your intimntion, hut | believe Won to
be n gentleman, and that YOU took
the course that you did from a sense
of duty. Fifteen years ago the Goth
of last March we were married. On
that never-to-beforgo day, |
wore 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 tn bring from nv
dear, thoughtful husband, fragrant
cluster of violets; and two months
ago, ms usual, when he is absent at
that time, there came by express a
box OF the sweet flowers, containing
this card" and she held out the well.
remembered bit of bristol board. on
which was written, "To my darling,
with hearts best laurence"
"The next mail" continued she.
brought his usual daily letter. in
which he told the Joke of your sup
posing he was bachelor. how YOU
asked IL he was sending flowers to
his best girl, and of his reply. That
is just like Laurence, To- have a little
quiet fun at your expense. by never
correcting your erroneous supposi.
tion. | hope YOU will forgive him
for IL, Just as have forgiven YOU
for your sl0nderous thoughts Of my
husband" and she smilngly ex-
tended her hand.
just how Mr.. Worth MANAGED to
take her hand and bow over il. Stam-
mer out his sincere apologies. and
get out into the street. he never
rOuld clearly remep,bar p,,, I, =.