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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1887)
THE FIACRE MYSTERY. A Paris Physician's Horriblo Discovery. TratutaUd. Cincinnati Enquirer.) CHArTEU I. On a cold, clear night In January a gcntloman with his hands in tlio pock Ls of his overcoat walked rapidly up Iho Boulevard Ilaussman, his stops sounding loudly on tho asphalt of tho avenue flilont and at this hour almost deserted, though tho hands of tho clock in tho cupola of St. Auguslino marked hut a little past elovon. Pedestrians wcro rare, but from timo to timo a tram-car passed on its polish ed rails the horses straining and slip p ng and onvelopud In steaming vapor, and tho heads of tho passengers, on their way to tiie Trocadoro or tho Jvluetto, scarcely distinguishable -through tho glass of tho windows, opaque with tlio mist of tho interior. Thcro was 1 ttlo need of tho conductor's Lorn to warn carriages out of tlio way thoy wcro as rare as the passors-by; .though at long intervals a volturc de place rumbled slowly along on its way to the depot, and occasionally r. privato coupo, its lighted lanterns and spirited, high-stepping horses, passing l.ko a Hash. As I said boforo, tho night was cold And tho moon shone brilliantly, casting -upon tho ground tlio perfect contour of rail houses and bristling chimneys, .ami tracing tho streets and pavements with strange linos and distorted s.l Jiouctlcs. Tho sharpness of tlio atmos phere, however, seemed only to add to tho good humor of our pedestrian as ho walked on anil on, softly whistling, nnd( revolving in his head all kinds of happy, -cheerful fancies; for Dr. Pascal Horsier would have been a malcontent, indued, to have complained of destiny. Only thirty , cars of age, n surgeon of note, mill also Trofossor of Seionco in tho College of Franco, ho had achieved an exceptional position in the Corps Med ical at an ago when his colleagues wero still at tlio bottom of tlio ladder. Sullloiontly wealthy to bo independ ent of the drudgery of daily practice, ho devoted his attontion entirely to soinntlfib pursuits, and lias taken as a specialty tlio nerves of tlio human organism, tlioso mysterious agents which transmit to the mombors of the .body tho orders of tho brain. Some of his recent experiments in this linn, tho results of which ho has lust given to the general public, had drawn upon him tho attontion of the -whole scient lio world. No wonder Dr. Pascal Horsier was liappy as ho walked along, picturing to jiimsclf tho future await ng hi in. As he approaoiied his homo in tho Rue do Lamcunais his thoughts by degrees took another dirootion. for lie was not ns vet so absorbed in Ins work and researches ns to be indillerent to .nil other considerations. Science, for which ho felt such passionate devotion, .had a rival, and a powerful one. Pas cal wnsj married, and had been for several years, to tho daughter of ono of tho chief employes of tho Ministry. Called to attend Iior father in ono of .chose maladies which seicneo retards 411(1 nllov.nlos, hut can not control, he Jiad found boside his patient at every -visit this beautiful and gentle woman, watching with sad and questioning oyes tho unequal battle witli doath. Charmed from the first with her artless .grace and modesty, ho was soon com pletely enthralled by tho refined Intelli gent o' and puro principles of Chnstino Dumnrias. lie demanded and obtained her hand, Christine's mother still re mained a willow, with n small but suf ficiently ample fortune to muot the re quirements of herself and her two children; and as Christine's brother, an engineer and inventor 'of a specialty in .1lin ixiiwlmotimi if ftiriili'ti rnllmfiils. ivns able lo visit his family only at rare intervals, Mad. Dumarais felt that she vns exceptionally fortunate in finding a son-in-law established in Paris. From the day that ho was united to Christine Dumarais Pascal Horsier had been completely happy; and now, four years after marriage, loved his wife with the same ardor that ho felt for iter i he day ho married her. To eay that he loved her is to Bay little; ho simply adored her. Such ns ho had bnlioved her to ho ho had found her in reality, nrtloss, lov ing, nlwavH studying liovv to make his lioino more attractive; happy if lie was with her, and resigned if the duties of his profession called him away. At first Dr. Horsier feared that this lonely life was a little sad for his beautiful young wife, but if she found it so she never .allowed it to appear. Educated in a fiovero and soniowliat -parsimonious home, sho did not ask herself If marriage ought not to have brought her compensations more amus ing than thoie which hall satisfied her ois a younj; girl. Tho few worldly pleasures she nt in tervals enjoyed in tho company with her husband amply sulllood her, and her greatest joy seemed to be to assem ble about her table her mother, her nearest rolatlvos and her husband's friends. At least, such were the reus ons with wlilt-li Pascal salved his con science of the complete isolat on to which he had condemned his wife. However, thorn was another reason, more serious than tho rest, which help ed lo form tlio lino of conduct ho had gradually adopted. MllcDiimnrnls, who had parsed her earliest yours In a ronibor twtrossol nt the end of a court, suffered from a tendency to anemia, -complicated with a blight nlVculion of tho heart. Hut this had uot alarmed "Dr. Borsiur, for ho was convinced that lie could ruiuedt tho evil by vigilant scare. Already an appreciable change -for the bolter had taken place in Chris tine's condition. A tranquil life, ex .empt front fatigue and worn, was not tonlv an important but an absolutely in- .dispensable factor in the course of treatment mid lie inside it his duty to itr oily enforce tula part or the pro grain me. Hut, if I must confess It, thoro was jt a thini reason, more powerful than all tho preceding' one, an I of wVn-i It was. perhaps, himself uncoiiMtioiHitr dently as he loved hu wife, his p.i.-.inn was surpassed bv his jealousy, les Dr. Hros cruras jealous, absolutoh, r. diculouslv jealous. Although hi hud not the slightest reason in the world for being so. On tho rare ooca-dom that he allowed ti s wife to appear in socie ty, instead ot cnjotlng Hie sensation produced ny tier beauty anil lutein gence, ho had suffered torment, every look oi admiration c:ist upon her seem ing to h s jealous heart an .iisult to be aveugetl. At any rate no could cut short exhibitions which infringed upon his own privileges and prerogat ves, and ho kept h'.s word. Tlio bcaut oi Madame Iiroucr fully pi't. tied the In umphat reception sho had met with in society. Jfcr hair, worn in a s ngle massive braid, coiled about her head, was of n light golden brown, and when unbound foil in r.ch, tmdulat ug waves almost to her feet. Her complexion was of that milky whiteness which in variablv accompan os hair of a redd.sh shade, and liur eyes long ami aimonu shaped with dark brown pupils, shaded by silky lashes. A laughing, ro3y mouth, an expressive face of a charm ing oval, and groat boautv and elegance of form, produced an ideal which justi fied tho immoderate lovo ot Pascal, ami even to a certain extent explained his jealousy. Tlio nearer ho approached to h's home, the moro Dr. Hrosier hurried his slops, thereby hastening tlio moment when ho would meet his wile, ami sho had pronrsod to sit up reading by tho lire until his return. He could seo her now. just as she would look when lie entered' tho room, curled up in her arm-ciiair. onvolopod in her plush dressing-gown, with nor little foot toast ng upon tlio fondor and her boolv In her hand, iio was nover so happy as whon ablo to quit his work sooner than ho anticipated, for it gave her the joyous surprise of an unexpect ed return. Such would bo tho caso tills even ng. Called in consultation to a patient at Versailles, whoso condition was des perate and upon whom they wore going to perform an operation, he had gone away at 7:D(), not intending to return until tiie last train leaving Ver sailles nt midnight- Hut the patient had not considered it necessary to await tho operat on, and, at tho very moment the faculty wcro ascending tlio ctalrs, had tricked thein nicely by slip ping from life to death, considering it profcranlu to steal away in that stylo to remaining for a premature autopsy. 'Ho was a man of sense, eriod Horsier, laughingly, as, bidding his confreres good-night, he boarded tlio ten instead of the twelve o'clock train, and an hour afterward was deposited at tlio foot of the Uuo de Home, wiicneo lie had prefcrrod to walk to his home in tho Hue do Lamouiinis. As ho passed through the avenue Friendland his attention was suddenly arrested by tho loud rumbling of a (iaoro passing rapidly ahead of him. All at once tho yellow body of tho vehicle and the white hat of tho coachman, which ho had followed carelessly with his eye, disappeared from view. It had wheeled about, and, unless tho dis tance deceived him, into tlio Hue de Lameuiiuis. A few moments afterward, as ho turned into the street himself, he per ceived tlio vehicle again, stopped bo foro his own door. Tho coachman had descended from his seat, and standing by the side of tlio fiacre, soumed to be expostulating w tli some ono in tlio car riage. In tlio silence of that retired quarter li s words wero perfectly audi ble to Pascal as ho walked down tho street "Mndamo," eriod tho coachman. "Madame, wake up! Wo liavu arrived. There was no response. "Madame," ho cried again, m'sing his voice considerably, "wake, up, if you please; wo have arrived.1' St 11 the sleeper did uot move. "Well, this is a go," mumbled tlio coachman, grullly. "She's a regular dummy. Want's tho matter witli her, I wonder?" And the man in the white hat peered into tlio' fiacre in perplexed uncertainty. "Anything wrong?" asked Pascal, approaching him. "1 am a physician, and perhaps can assist you." "It's moru titan 1 know," responded tlio coachman; "but something's gone wrong with tho fare Can't move iior no more than a block o' wood. Look for yourself, inous eur." Pascal, obeying tho coachman's di rections, looked into tlio interior. Stretched upon the cushions, a woman was lying perfectly motionless, her face shrouded in the folds of a thick veil. He took her hand, his trained lingers instinctively seeking the pulse; tho ar tery did not beat. '"Hollo," said tho doctor to himsolf; "this is moro than a fainting lit. Hring mc a light,' turning to the coachman. "A light, quick -your lantern will do." Tlio coachman obeyed, and the light thrust into the carriage enabled him to seo that tho woman boforo him was slender in form, dressed in some kind of a dark-colored robe tuid enveloped from head to foot in a long fur mantle. Supporting himself on tlio carriage step tlio doctor carefully began to re move the veil which concealed the fea tures. Suddenly a cry of horror burst trotn his lips, lie dropped from the step Ids logs refused to support him. The 1 feloss woman whom lie had lifted in his arms, upon whoso discolored lips anil ghastly face the rays of the lantern fell broad and full, was his wife his own wife Christine Horsierl Yes, it was his wife, dying, porhaps, doad! Hut how did sho come to bo in that carriage, and at that hour of tho nightP A pain as sharp as tlio stroke of a stiletto pierced his heart as a terri ble suspicion surged through li a mind; but it was only a Hash thoro was no timo to think ot such things now; ho would consider them aftorward. Mas tering himself by a powerful effort, hu turned to tho coachman: "Seek tho concierge of tho house," sa'd lie "and toll him to come quickly, Dr. Horsier wants him," and drawing from his pookot a bottle of salts, ho hold it under the nostrils of tho unfor tunate woman. TO UK CONTINUKO. PftMlug rouud tho tut ts ouo wr of get ting tlio cent ot the weettajj. Xai Slfl. HOUSEHOLD HINTS. In Russia thoy soak potatoes and then fry them. There is no accounting for taste Frozen fish, game and poultry is nn abomination, and ono of thoso days tho law will interfere. For a change, tho center of applo p'o is now cut nut, and tho holo tilled in with "some delicious jelly." In England thoy hold that ovstcr.s and mtishroons are essential to tho suc cess of a beefsteak pudding. Comb honey may bo ripened by plac ing it in a dry, warm room properly ventilated. If placed in n 6mp room it will receive moisture, swerraud burst tho capping. Halibut fish cakes liavo crowdod to tho wall tho old-fasliiopcd "way back" ones in wh ch cod used to figuro so ox tonsivoly, and advanced fnshionablo people call them "piscatorial patties.1' Gingerbread Without Eggs Tills rccipoT sent by a farmer's wife, may prove useful "this time of tho year: Thrco cups of Hour, ono cup niolassos. one of sugar, one of sour milk, ono heaping toa-tpoonful btttcr, two tea spoonfuls snleralus, two teaspoons gin ger, ono of cinnamon. Hoiled Cidor Applo Sauce One-half bushel sweet apples, four pounds of sugar, n few quinces; put in sweet ci der enough to cover the apples, boil and sk m for four or five hours. This is superior to tho old fashioned boiled ci dor apple suuco, which was mado of ci der that had been boiled down separate ly, instead of doing all tho cooking in tlio samo operation, A "bangle, board" appoars to bo an almost indisponsiblo article nowadays in every well rogulatcd home A board about six inches square and covered witli anvdesirablo color of plush or vcl vot is much prettier than tlio decorated rolling-pin so often scon. A half dozen of brass hooks and a r bbon to match the cover of your board, to hang it up bv is all that is necessary for tlio com pletion of such an ornament or ar ticle Sardine Sandwiches Sardines picked up lino and mixed witli cold boiled ham, also minced line, ami all well seasoned witli a regular mayonnaiso dressing, mako a delicious filling for sandwiches for a lady's "afternoon" or a cold luncheon. Tlio bread should bo cut very thin and sparingly buttered. Thoy dan bo piled up in slices or rolled and tied witli narrow ribbon now in stylo. Sweet Potato Lunch Sweet potatoos cooked in this way are del cious for lunch, although thoy are liked by many persons for dinner: After boiling tho potatoos peel thorn and slice thorn lengthwise Put a layer of the slices in a buttered dish, sprinklo- thorn witli cinnamon and sugar and put tiny hits of butter here and there; add another layer of potatoes, surinkl.ng them as hoforo, and continue till all aro used, putting n little more butter on top of tho liistla or. Hake in a good oven a delicate brown and serve. Hiokorynut Cake Four eggs, two cups of sugar, one-half cup of cream or butter, two and ono-lialf cups of Hour, two teaspoonfuls of baking powdor. Hake in jelly tins and be tween the layers spread tlio following cream: Two eggs, ono cup of sugar. two helping tablcspoonfuls of corn starch, ono coll'oo cupful of liiokory nut meats, ono pint of milk. Heat tlio oggs, sugar, corn starch and nuts all togothor, and stir it into tho pint of milk whilo it is boiling; lot it cook a9 thick as a custard, and whon cold. spread it botwoon tlio layers. ltolisliing. wholosomo salads may without oxponso bo prepared so taste fully that thoy often prove tlio most attractive dish upon tlio table And what dish is handsomer than chlclcen in iolh ? Witli onlv the cost of tlio small amount of gelatine required to givo additional stillness to tho chicken jelly, am farmer's poultry yard and garden will lurnisn tno materials lor those and numerous other delicacies that in a city are unattainable save to ,i .... . r J? II.. ino comparative i'"v. j-jquuuy iuuii ing aro quaking molds of jolly, holding in thoir sinning depths fresh, canned or preservod fruits. I'ho Fashionable Hair Dresser. Hut it was tho "Thompson wavo" which caught tlio fominino eye with the most ploasuro tlio pretty waving front hair, which at tlio time was soon nbovo'nnd closo to tho eyebrows of every woman, old. young or midtllo ngod. It was not so novel for women to possess waving looks, but Mrs. Thompson had invented something which hold theso locks to tlio hoad a siniplo contr vanco. which in its way is complete Next sho invontcd the "baby hang." a l ttlo fringe of hair to orna ment tho bald heads of babies, wluuh can be sowed in thoir bonnets. Passing hor other inventions in hair, it is amus ing to hoar her account of tho manner in which tlio soniowliat prevailing stvlo of wearing a looso twist of hair at thu back of tho neck came to bo a la mode. "You soo tho lifo slzod wax tiguro yonder,1' said madam, as wo wero sit ting In ono of tho rooms of hor luxu rious establishment in Fifth avenue "Jt was in ono of my windows in Four teenth street and was acoidontallv brok on. The hair was in a tangle, and fearing to still further injure thu figuro I carelessly twisted up tlio hair into a knot, leaving a tangle at tho nape of tho nook. There was a crowd at tho window all day inspecting tho now coiffure and as you know, this back hair tnnglo is gaining in popularity." A'eui l'ork Star, Justlco in Dakota. Over nt ltoek Ilaplds a drunkon fel low was taken boforo a drunken Judge to answer the crimo of trying to chaw up another drunken fellow. In course of tho trial one of the attorneys told the Judge to go to soinowhoro-whoro-upon thu Juilgo fined thu legal light for contempt of Court, thou lammed him ovor tho head with a dressed turkoy. After the lamming the Judge adjourn ed tho Court, for a duy or two in order to give all parties a chance to sober up, Uaver Lreek D. T.) OrA e HIS PLACE OF REST. "I know a place" the old man eatd, Where such ns I, cau rest; Where there's a slicitcr for the head Of every aged guest." "Where none that are Infirm and old, Aro driven from t' c door; for all aro welcome to that fold, And doubly so tho poor." "You doubtlcsi speak of heaven, my friend!" The listening pan-on saltl; "Ah I yes. up there all sorrows end, Up there no tears arc shed." "Nay, nny." thennclent one replied, '"TIs not of heaven I spenk; , I mean the work-house, sir," he sighed, "Where I have been a week." Hal Jlcrte, In The Arkaiuaw Traveler. Of Mildred's pretty faco wore a now ex pression as siie toyed witli hor teaspoon and tr.cd to finish hor roll, and coffee. John had just left her for his office. Thoy had boon married thrco months, and tho serious Aspects of lifo wero for tlio first timo presenting themselves. Tho problem of income and outgo had made a fair showing on paper. A small apartment fuel and gas includ ed ono servant, and with such loads of wedding presents, absolutely noth ing to buy, thoy could actually save money. Hut, somehow, there were leaks which had not been considered, and ten dollars covered a much smaller amount in time and space than John or Mildred lind supposed. "I wish I could do something to help John," thought Mildred, as sho gazed abstractedly out of tlio wipdow. "Ho has to work so hard," and she gave a little sigh. "What can I do?" sho pondered. "What can I do?" sho asked herself again and again, as witli deft touch sho Btraiglituned and arranged tlio dainty apartment. Suddenly her face looked as if a door had opened and Hooded it wit li sun light "I know what I will do; I will write a story. I know 1 can if I try. People do not have to be so awfully clever to do that. It is a knack, not a talent. Thoro is Mrs. , who has made heaps of money; and her stories aro only poor trash all of them. John says so," Heforo another hour had passed tho outline of a plot was dancing in her excited young brain, and as soon as siio could get the timo sho sat down with pad and sharpened pencil. Then came a pause. "How shall it begin?" Sho drew little geometric figures on tho margin of hor paper as she reflect ed, her thoughts seeming to revolve in a circle, returning even to tlio place from whence the' started. Finally sho wrote: "In a small village on tho banks of 11 "Oh, that is so "commonplace No; that will not do." And she toro off tlio first sheet of her pad and reflected again, tlien wroto: "Frank Atwood was tho only son of a" "No, no; that is too stupid," and the second sheet of the pad went into tho wasto paper basket. Sho recalled what John had said of tho superfluous three pages, which might witii benefit to most stories bo eliminated for John was a journalist and literrry critic, and his standard and ideals wcro just on the measure of her own. So sho thought with great defor enco of what ho had said about tedious preambles. "Ho is right," she' said with decision. "It is tlio personal interost in tho char acters which wo aro looking for in read ing a storv. All that conies before that is tedious superfluity. "I will dash right on with a letter from tlio heroine, which will at onco explain the situation." So witli tlio con fidence which came from fooling her self "at last on the right track, sho wroto: "Dkak Fkaxk. 1 return herewith tho Icttors. which of course I liavo now no right to keep. I need not tell you what it costs mo. " 'I have roliccted much upon what you said yesterday, but I am at last re solved. I will not soo you again. Any attempt to make mo break tlio resolve will bo fruitless. God knows you liavo only yourself to blamo that this mar riago lias 1 "Please, ma'am." said tho cook, com ing suddenly in upon tlio young author ess. "Please ma'am, tho butcher is here. Will you come and seo him and givo tlio order yorself about bavin1 them chops frenchod or whatever it is." "Oh, what a boro," sighed Mildred. "I was just getting into tlio swing of it." And she left tlio manuscript upon hor dosk to bo resumed later. Tho matter of the chops disposed of there wore othor tilings requir ng atton tion. At last, howovor, sho was at hor dosk again. She red over tlio lettor with winch her story opened to seo how it sounded. "Konlly, she said, "I think that starts off very well." and then she took up tlio brbkon thread. "Only yourself to blamo that this marriage has 11 A violent ringing at tho tolo phono again broke the current. "Hol lo," said our young novelist. "Mildred, is that vott?" "Vi-s, is it you, Alice?" "Yes. Mamma does not fool vory well and w sin s you to take luncheon with us Sho has sent tho carriage He ready to come as soon as it ar rives." Obviously no moru authorship to day. So slipping Iior paper in hor desk sho departed. Now John was a nico sort of follow. But wo may as well acknowledge at onco that ho was not so heroic, nor so wise, nor so infallible an authority as his wife supposed. She had taken the outllno of tho real John, touched it up with the glowing colors of her imagination and out of it had mado an ideal John, winch, whilo it bore a strong reseiublenco to the real, was nevertheless largely a work of art. Hut. after subtracting these additions for tho real, there was still left a very excellent fellow, with good talents, wli ch ho was using- with rather bril liant effectiveness In journalism and various kinds of literary work; whe was adorningly fond of his wife, and had not yet recovered from his surprise nt his excessive good fortune in possess ing that much-coveted treasure for whom he had much contended, with many others, In those anxious days ol courtship. And now there sho was at home, waiting for him, while ho was urging his brain to tho top of its speed, and driving his quill in eager haste thinking only of what it would bring for him to lay at her foot Mildred was right in thinking ho felt anxious at times, for things did not al ways turn out as he hoped. And he oftentimes felt disheartened whon he thought that with the fullest measure of success which ho could achieve in his profession could never icld whal so peerless a wife as Mildred deserved. For. of course, he had wdli I113 imagi nation retouched the real Mildred too. Tlio now purpose of authorship brought a great light and hope into Mildred's lifo. She fell important indeed that she was much more impor tant than people wero aware Thai sho was carrying a very largo secret that if John only knew! Then sho pictured to herself his read in her story, possibly reviewing it. Af ter lie lias written all kinds of nice tilings about it I will toll him that 1 am tlio nut hor: or and her hcarl turned cold and sick what if lie should say it was trash? For, of course, like other good critics. John was seldom pleased. If tilings wore nil excellent, what would bo the need of critics? Sc lie had cultivated tlio art of discovering flaws in what seemed to ordinary read ers pure gems. Ho had dovclopcd rather a talent for pillorying people in a single torso phrase, and was much valued for his skill in boating down with tlio editorial club tender young aspirants who were trying to make themselves hoard. This sounds brutal But ho was only profossionlly brutal. In his personal characteristics none could be more tender or sympathetic. Mildred knew of this caustic vein and believed it, too as she did also oi John's attributes and gifts "but," she thought, if lie should say any of those dreadful tilings about 1110; what should I do? I should never never toll himf And so during the entiro day she thought and planned. Few intricacies of plot suggesting themselves vivid and interesting scenes coming before her stimulated imagination. Her mother urged her remaining and sonding for her husband to dine will them. Hor secret desire was to return, but she looked at her mother's wistful faco and had not tho heart to refuse. Sho would stay and send for John. That gentleman arrived at homo at tlio usual hour. As ho put his latch koy into tlio door lie smiled, thinking of the quick ear which was listening foi it. and of tlio pretty apparition which would meet him in tlio hall. "Bj Jove." ho thought, "what a lucky fel low I ami" But tho oxpected figuro did not moot him. Ho was conscious of a littlo chill of disappointment, and still moro as he wandered through tho rooms and found all silent and deserted. Ho rang for tho maid. "Where is your mistress?'1 "Sho is out sir. There's a noto, sir, somewhere," and she looked anxious ly about. "Oli, it is on tlio desk," said sho with returning memory, starting tc go for it. "No matter; I will get it, ' and John turned his impatient steps toward his wifo's room. There was no noto on tho desk, and quite naturally ho opened tlio lid. His eyes wero riveted upon tho words be fore him. "Dkak Fkank: I return herowith the lotters which I liavo no longer any right to keoj). I need not toll you whal it costs nie llo felt as if his blood wcro turnod into ice "1 liavo reflected much you said yesterday " upon what "yesterday!" John felt as if lie were going mad. "Yesterday!" and ho had so trusted her! The room had grown black and a great sledgo hammer was boating his brain, but lie read 011 "upon what you said yesterday, but I am at last resolved. I will not see you again. Any attempt to make me break this rosolvo will be fruitless, God knows you liavo only yourself to blame that tills niarriaL'o lias " John stood for a low moments as il ' turned into stone, his face blanched, his muscles tense. Tlion a ray of hope seemed to come to him. "There is 11c , signature; it is not hers." Ho looked again. How could ho doubt it? He know too well the turn of every potter. Ho was alternately livid with rage and choking witli gr of. His dream of hap piness vanished. Something like a I etirso camo from between his closed j teeth. j "Sho loves this man, and she meets him and tells him so, and only yester day. Oh. it is too horrible!" too horri ble!" Ho buried his faco in his hands nnd groaned, nover " At "I shall go away; 1 shall J that moment tho telo-' phono bell rang. Ho took no notice ol it. "I shall novor 11 Again it rang long nnd and loud. What should ho do? There was 110 ono else to answer it; ho must go. So ho said huskily, , "Hollo!" j Mildred's silvery voico replied, "John, is that you ?V Tho situatiou was shocking. How could ho reply? but there was nc timo for reflection. Ho know that tho Central oflieo would share all his con fidences through that infernal pieco of black waluut aud ebony. So ho said. "Yes." "Why do you not come? Dinner is waiting for yon." j How well ho know tho pretty inflex ions of that voice! "I wish no dinner I am going away good-bye." I It might have bcon the convetional telcphonio "good-bye," or it might contain a profouuder meaning. Tlio effect at the other end of the lino cannot bo described. Ten minutes lator a cab drove furiously up to the door of tho Apartment house, and Mildred, with white faco and fast beat ing heart, rushed into the room, aud would have rushed into Johs arms il ho had let her. "You aro going away?11 sho said breathlessly. "You are a very clever actress,11 said that gentleman repulsing hor intended embrace. "A what?" said she, amazed. "John, what's tlio 11 "A very clover nctross,11 said he, quito as if she lind not spoken, "but hereafter we will liavo a moro perfect understanding, and you nood not trou ble yourself." "Why, John," said she, "have you lost your senses?" "No; on the contrary, I havo recov ered them. I am no longer a dupe 1 was fool enough to think you 11 "John, for God's sake tell me what this means!" "Oh, Mildred! Mildred!" said ho, breaking down utterly. "Why did you not tell mc like an honest woman that you loved some ono elso?" "John, you know. I" "Stop!" said he "Stop! do not stain your soul with nny more falsehood. "You need not havo married me," went on tho wretched man. "God knows I wish you had not.1' She tried to put her arms about him ns he paced to and fro in rapid strides, but lie pushed her away angrily. "No, 110 moro of that That has lost its charm." Mildred burst into tears. "I never would have believed ycu would be so so cruel," sobbed she. "What havo I done?" "Done?" shouted the exasperated man. "Why, you have spoiled the lifo of an honest man, who doled on 3 0U, believed on you like a trusting fool who would havo risked his lifo on your honesty " "Stop!" said Mildred, and sho gath ered herself up to a fullor height than John's oyes had ever before behold in her. Siie too was angry now. "If ou have charges to mako I de mand that they lie definite, and not in base innuendo. You are very cruel and and also very insulting to me. 1 shall not remain in this house to-night, nor return to it until you have "apologized." And she swept from tho room and from John's astonished sight, A moment later ho hoard the messen ger call, then heard his wife giyo an or dor far a cab, then saw her packing a handbag. Ho intended doing tlio same tilings himself. But somehow having her do them was infinitely harder to bear. Mildred was very angry. "Not a tiling of. Iiis," sho said to herself, as she stripped oft' her rings and gathered her trinkets. "My purse, too," sho thought and wont to the desk to find it. Her husband had been watching for this. Ho knew sho would try to secure that lotter. "Ah," said he, "you aro a littlo too late You should have thought of that before" These to his unmeaning words, ut tered with much concentrated bitterness made her seriously doubt his sanity. She looked at him curiously. How else could'sho construe tho incomprehensi ble fury? Sho pursued, tlio thought had calmed tho resentment. Sho weut to his side, placed her hand kindly ou his arm. "My dear John," said she, "will you explain to mo what all this means Ho felt touched, and oh, how ho longed to take her to his heart; but that could nover bo again. "Will you lirst explain to mc," ho answered, trying to bo hard and cold, "explain to mo where you wcro yester day?" "Certainly ho is mad," sho thought, and sho tried to bo vei'y calm. "Ah, yes," ho wont on. "You can look very innocent, but. woman, look at that," antl witli tragic gesturo ho held up tho paper. Mildred looked at it bewildered; then sho read, "Dear Frank.' A gleam of light camo into her face, and gradually deepened into an expression of interest and amusement. Siio understood it all. John looked to see her crushotl, de spairing and penitent; and iustoad lie witnessed tiiis unaccustomed, this ex traordinary, nhnngo; and laughter peal after peal of silvery laughter rang through tlio rooms. She tried to speak, but could not. John in his turn began to think that she was mad. At last, with tears rolling down her cheeks, not from grief tills time, sho said: "Oh, you doar silly silly thing. Oh, you dear gooso that's mystory and I was going to surprise ou and bring you over ever so much money and now 3-011 have gone and spoiled " and hero sho began to cry in earnest. "And you have sa.d such cruol cruol 11 Hor sobs, together with John's groat enfold ng arms, stifled the rest. "Oh, my angel, my angel, 1 have been such a brute Can you ever forgive mo?'1 That was what John said; but this pen refuses to attempt tlio portrayal of what ho felt. Ho had been a willing and a loving slave before, and now ho was in addition a penitent and crest fallen ono besides. And so his chains wcro riveted anew. As hinted before John had a profes sional character quite distinct from his domestic one. This quality affords a much needed outlet to perturbed spir its; heuco as lie turned towards ills of fice tlio next morning an .ominously stern look camo into his faco. Tho unfortunate man whoso first book ho reviewed that day never sus pected that the average criticism which rory nearly threw him into a nervous 'over, and quite into despair, was al most entirely insp red by tlio misadven tures just related. Sew York Graphic. nis Aunt Wns a Daisy. "I wish you would go away on an chor visit. Mama," said a littlo boy to lis mother, who had just rottirnod from 1 two weeks1 visit m tho country. "Aunt Mary ts a daisy housekeeper." "Did you have a good timo, Bennie, vhilo I was away?" "Well. I should smile," replied tho soy. "Aunt Mary just let us have all jhe fun wo wanted." 4 1 guess she allowed you children too aianv privileges." "That's all right. Mama. Aunt Mary s a darling, aud I w 11 stand up for her svery timo. She is just Iiko mc, when I run away from school.11 "I do not understand you, my son," laid Maine "Well, she is a tru-ant11 Pretzel's Weekly.