The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-21
A Singular
Occurrence
By WILLARD BL-AKEMAN

just going into the library. He seemed
agitated.
"What's the matter, dear?' she asked.
Nothing"
This was all that passed between
them at the time. Mrs. Walker went
upstairs, and just as she reached the
upper landing she saw a woman's hat
sinking below the top step Of the rear
staircase. Mrs. Walker ran after her,
saw her turn toward the front Of the
house and into the library. The lady
ran into the room and saw a well
dressed, rather good looking woman
standing near her husband.
"Well, 1 declared exclaimed the as.
tonished wife.
"WellT said the husband, looking
from one woman to the other.
Mrs. Walker was too full for utter
ance The stranger cast her eyes on
the floor. When the former found her
voice she cast troubled glance at her
husband and said in a trembling voice:
"Oh, Elliot, to think that / should
have been so deceived In you"
81 know no more Of this woman than
you do" was the reply. "If you doubt
me ask her"
The wife turned to the stranger, but
spoke no word. Why should she? The
woman acknowledged her guilt by her
appearance. Her head was bowed; her
eyes were glued to the floor.
"For one thing" said Mrs. Walker,
'I give her credit. She can't lie as you
can"
"My dear Mr.. Walker regarded
his wife with an injured look; then.
turning severe glance upon the wo-
man, he asked:
"What do you mean by this behav-
ior?'
"Elliot," she said without raising her
head, II am lost. My husband must
sooner or later know of this, and 1
shall be an outcast from my home"
"Elhot You call me by my first
name-you, whom 1 have never seen
beforehand you admit that you came
here to meet me in my wife's absence
when l have only been at home few
minutes. This is incomprehensible."
"Oh, heavensw exclaimed the wife.
at is plain enough to me. Elliot, I
know your unconquerable assurance.
Were this woman as adept in playing
a part as you, your game would have
worked admirably. AS 1t is you are
caught. Would that could be deceiv
ed; then would not suffer"
"My dear
"Never call me that againl Madam,
leave this house at oncer
The intruder, still with bowed head,
passed slowly from the room into the
hall. The front door closed behind her,
and husband and wife were left alone
together.
"This La the most remarkable oc-
currence of my life," said Mr.. Walker.
"And the most crushing in mine,"
added the wife.
81 give you my word Of honor that
never saw that woman before"
"Do you take me for a fool7 Did
not the creature admit what you denyT
For this the husband had no reply
leave me-" he said, ito regain my
equanimity. 1 am in no condition to
think. There must be an explanation
If can but hit upon it. came home
only few minutes before your arrival,
much worried about a matter Of bust
ness. have a note coming due to-
morrow and no funds with which to
meet 1t. On top Of that trouble comes
this one"
The wife silently left the room. What
was there to be saidi The proof
against her husband was absolute His
business trouble was an additional mis-
fortune for her as well az for him.
Going into another room, abe threw
herself on sofa and gave way to
immoderate grief, while her husband
was walking the floor in the library.
After awhile she arose, dried her eyes
and went back to the library.
"What Is the amount of this noteT'
she asked.
"Six thousand dollars"
Though you have ceased to be what
you have been to me, you are still my
legal husband and 1 am still pecuniarily
interested in your affairs, My jewels
will bring more than $1,000. will GO
and get them for you"
She went out Of the room without
having given him. a Iook. cong up tC
her bedroom, she opened a drawer ir
which she kept a few ornaments she
used from day to day, intending also
to remove the bulk Of her jewels from
a safe. Those in the drawer were gone
A sudden idea flashed through hel
brain. She few like a swallow dowI
the stairs, ran into the library ant
threw her arms about her husbands
neck.
"Blliot forgive mep
what the dickens
"Oh, the blessed relief How happ!
ami"
Explain, for heavens sake"
''The jewels are gone"
''The jewels! Goner
"Yes; the woman must have takeI