Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-10-29
down just as we are"

down Just as We are"
she agreed coldly to my suggestion.
and in few minutes we were seated
at the table, as stiff couple as
ever hope to see. Oh, that dinner!
hope the man who said we never for
get anything was a liar, for if I must
go through life with the memory Of
end in an asylum.
After it was over she arose and
without a word flew to her room.
When l entered the room I found
her lying across the bed and sobbing
as if her heart were broken.
why, Bethel" 1 cried, putting my
arms about her. what in the world
Is the trouble?'
Get away from me, you brute!"
she cried ITO think that came all
the way back from Europe to man
like you'll"
Bette, what do you mean?"
you know what l mean. It's that
horrid woman! And you told me you
ndu AOt CfCA SCCA ACA OCAOAOs
And then came another outburst of
weeping.
"But, Bette" 1 said, completely
puzzled, Il never saw her before to-
night l don't understand"
"Of course you don't understand.
You don't want to understand. Didn't
l see her smile at you during dinner
| in that horrid, confidential ways of
hers? Besides, she had on a finer
dress than I ever hope to have. 1t
was all hand-embroidered linen. You
can't fool me, Dick Osborne"
At this I felt it was my time to be-
| come angry.
II explained to you thoroughly that
| Aunt Sarah engaged her and made all
the arrangements. No matter what
| you mean by your insinuatfons, l
| never saw her until this evening. OF
| course / see that she is too familiar,
and that we do not want her, but why
you should act so silly is beyond me.
| It would be very much more sensible
for you to stop crying like baby and
help me to decide what is best to be
| DONE"
There is nothing to do but to tell
her to leave at once. If she does not
go tomorrow, l will"
"That is easily enough arranged.
shall tell her in the morning that We
shall not need her after she has
served breakfast"
Early the next morning knocked
on Bettie's door.
Come in," was the faint reply.
IT think you had better go dowr
with me when 1 tell her that we de
not need her any longer. It's WON
ans duty, anyhow"
Bette was standing at the window
with her back to me, and vouchsafet
no reply. 1 had repeated my reques
before she answered:
eff you will come here and look on
of the window you will see that it /!
unnecessary for either of us to tel
her anything"
went to the window and looked
out.
A large red motor car was at tn
curb in front of our house, and Mrs
Thompson was just climbing in ant
taking a seat beside the chauffeur a
/ looked out. In second the car wa
II gone up the street and had disaI
peared from our view.
"Wen!" I gasped. What does
mean?"
II 81 don't know, I'm sure" Bette said
turning away from the window, an,
not failing, l thought, to see the as
constituent on my face.
"Jove! but I'm glad" said, with
| mighty relief. 'I didn't know how t
tell her to CO."
Downstairs found this note on tn
: table:
| Dear Mr.. Osborne:
find myself in a most embarrassin
: situation, and it is best to be perfect
| frank with you, SO that you will nc
| think hard of me. left my husban
| two weeks ago, and applied for a pc
sition as housekeeper and maid CON
bined. I had no means of supper
and knew was best fitted for thi
| | work. Your house was the first pos
tion I have held. My husband foun
where I was, and has just come fo
| me this morning. We have agreed I
/ | overlook our little differences of ten
e permanent, and SO l am going bac
with him at once. Tell Mrs. Osborn
she will find the coffee made and @
D the gas stove. Believe me-
z Always sincerely,
MRS. THOMPSON.
Does that restore your confidenc
:. in YOUR husband, or do you need sti
stronger proof" said haughtily |
4. Bette.
But never showed her a telegral
that awaited me at my office. 1t We
y this:
You have my deepest sympathy
YOUR con1ugal alliance. You are VIII,
,, 1 should call, literally, UP against
| IyTOr uu,rL, SIJERwOOD sTEnMpaN-