Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-02-16

round the table tonight without dia
monda. Other husbands manage I,
afford 10 buy them. who are not near
ly SO well off a. You Josiah. Look q
the Sorrel-Smiths and the Pilking
tons T.
Mr.. Griffenhoof was somewhat take,
abaek by his wife's defiant tone, ant
he was not inclined TO pursue the linz
of argument which her reply indicat
ed. He was, therefore. silent for ,
moment. and Mrs. Grifsnhoof. follow
ing up the advantage she had gained
said with decision:
THAT Is why ! am going TO weal
the star, Josiah, and Amelia Jenningl
will be pleased and delighted. I an
sure. Lori Look at the timei Il
Is half.past seven already. Come
along, Josiah; the cab 10 st ths
door,"
Though silenced and somewhat dis.
comforted by his wife's attitude, Mr.
Griffenhoof manifested his displeasurs
very Enthusiastically during the drive
to their friends house. and was sulky
and gloomy throughout the entire
evening. He scowled at his wife
across the dinner-table whenever he
got an opportunity, and had the saw.
age satisfaction Of feeling that he had
considerably spoilt the good lady's en-.
joyment.
When he assisted his wife to alight
from the cab at their own door upon
their return home, he noticed that as
she stepped upon the pavement some
small object fell from her dress to the
ground, and STOPPING mechanically to
pick it up. he discovered that he held
in his hand the diamond star. Poor
Mrs. Griffenhoof meanwhile unaware
of her loss; had gone indoors, and
proceeded straight upstairs to her
room, thereby indicating her resent
ment at her husbands conduct.
Mr.. Griffenhoofs first impulse nat
urally was to call out to his wife, in
forming her of what had happened +;
but on second thoughts. he rsfrained.
He had by this time partially recov.
cred his temper. thanks to the capital
wine and good cheer of his host but
he felt highly slated at his prophetic
warning about the star being 30 near
ly verified. and the idea occurred to
him of enforcing the moral of the in
cident by having joke at his wifs's
expense. He resolved not to tell her
of his lucky find until she had fully
realized her indescretion, and he
therefore went to his study. and lock-
ed the diamond star in a drawer Of
his escritoire.
Mr.. Griffenhoof smoked a cigar. and
chuckled to think Of the wholesale
discomfort his wife must be suffering
overhead-having. of course, discov.
cred her loss. When he retired to
rest, however, he was surprised to find
that Mrs. Griffenhoof was already in
bed and asleep. He was rather puz.
zled at this, for he had naturally
expected to be met with loud lamen-
tation and woe. He could only sup
pose that not being accustomed to
wear the star, his wife had not 70.
marked its absence, and that the
unpalstable truth would dawn upon
her in the morning.
Next day, however. greatly to his
disappointment, his wife made 20
allusion to her loss, and did not
manifest any uneasiness. Mr.. Griffen.
hOof was so perplexed at this that he
stealthily went to his escritoire to
assure himself that he had not been
dreaming, and that the star really
was in his possession. There could
be no doubt about this, for there il
lay. precisely where he had placed il
the night before. The sight of it filled
him with unhallowed JOY at his anti.
cipated triumph, and he maliciously
resolved not to reveal his secret, but
10 await the course Of events.
When two days passed without
producing any confession from his
wife. Mr.. Grifenhoof began TO suspect
that the poor lady was hiding the
truth from him for fear Of his displeas-
ure. His suspicion was fortified by
unmistakable signs that his victim
was suferring from mental worry,
though she evidently made an effort
to appear unconeerned. Regardless
Of being secretly Aattered at thi.
proof of humility on the part Of hi
spouse, Mr.. GritfenhOof chose TO take
oifense at her want Of frankness and
confidence, and rather maliciously
determined not 10 relieve her from
her embarrassment: and he thu
allowed ssveral days 90 elapse without