Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-10-18

This gradually began to produce an
uncomfortable feeling between them.
| On one occasion Mrs. Jones said To her
| husband.
What is the matter. dearf You seem
to have something on your mind
Il have remarked the same con-
corning yourself be replied.
Il assure you ! have nothing to
trouble me-"
Nor L."
This was. to say the least. prevari-
cation on Jones part. for. In addition
to his suspicious concerning his wife's
former marriage, something had turn
ed up 10 indicate that there was a pos
sibility of his own former partner be.
ing alive.
One day Mr.. Jones told his wife that
he was obliged 10 go on business
trip. He kissed her goodby with more
than usual feeling. so much SO. indeed.
that she chung to him saying; There
is surely some trouble on your mind
Won't you tell me what Ii isl"
He made no reply for a few moments
except TO fold her tightly in his arms;
then he said:
When ] return | viii tell you ALL"
The morning of his return Mrs
Jones received a letter the envelope of
which bore the stamp OF Porter, Gibbs
* Charleten, attorneys. Tearing 1t
open. she read 1t hurriedly, then sank
in an easy chair in dead faint.
maid who was with her at the time
restored her and supported her to her
bedroom. The mistress as soon as she
was alone took the letter she had re-
ceived and locked 1t IN a rosewood
cabinet In which she kept her CORE.
spondence. Half an hour later she
called carriage and left the house.
When Jones returned, passing
through the hall he caught sight OF his
face in mirror Struck with bis pal
Tor and his haggard appearance. he
went into his library where he made
an attempt to nerve himself to meet
his wife. The maid who had taken
care of her entered soon after.
Where is Mrs. JonesT' be asked.
"She told me to say to you that she
had been called away till the day after
tomorrow"
Jones didn't know whether to feel
relieved or TO consider himself plunged
into new complication.
you needn't unpack that" he said
to the maid. who took up his suit case.
I'm going away again tonight"
What shall say to Mrs. Jones
when she returns?"
What shall you say? Why. that III
return in few days"
The uncertainty Mr.. Jones had felt
as TO his first wifes not being dead
was converted into a strong probable
ity. Nearly twenty years before he
had wooed Alice Hinckley, but since
he had but few hundred dollars with
which to support a wife her parents
had objected to the match. The young
couple resolved TO be married and go
to South America. The ceremony was
performed clandestinely, and the bride
returned from the church to her home.
1t had been agreed that they were to
go on board a ship separately and IN
disguise. for they were suspected by
the girls parents. aud to meet after
the vessel had got we'll out to sea
Jones performed his part OF the ar
rangement. but his wife was delayed
and did not reach the dock until after
the departure of the ship. She hid
herself and took the next vessel, which |
sailed few days later.
These two failed TO meet. Jones not
finding his bride aboard presumed that
her courage bad failed at the last
moment She, too proud to return to
her father. supported herself by teach
ing in Rio de Janeiro. Jones wrote 70 |
her at her fathers home. but received |
no reply. He drifted to London and |
thence to Australia Nearly twenty |
years later he saw a notice OF the |
death of Alice Hinckley at the city |
where he had married his wife. Re.
turning to America. he learned that his
wife's father and mother had died and
left their property TO their daughter
who had disappeared many years be-
fore and bad never since been heard
from. In case she did not claim the
property within given limit Of time
1t would go to charity. Jones then
put in a claim for 1t as Alice Hinckley's
husband.
Now. what was troubling Jones was
that a woman purporting to be Alice
HiDckley had recently appeared and
claimed the estate. IL she were the
real Alice Hinckley the second mar
riage was Illegal
Jones through the lawyers had made
an appointment 10 meet the woman
who claimed 10 be his wife. then be
had gone home 10 await the date OF
the meeting two days hence. Return
ing for the interview. he repaired to
the rendezvous and was ushered into
a private Office.
What was his establishment TO see
there. pale and agitated. the second
Mrs. Jones.
The two stared at each other for a
few minutes as though they could not
believe their eyes, then rushed into
each others arms.
There was an explanation involving
events covering period Of twenty
years. Both husband and wife claim
ed the same property. and each had
heard that the other had turned up.
but neither knew that the claimant
was a former consort. The lawyers
were as much astonished as the par
ties themselves. and the parties them
selves were lost IN wonder.
There was nothing for the couple