The Dickinson press., 1891-12-05


tom of the Red Sea-"
Mrs. Bagly, while highly amused a,
the way in which he tried to assume
the character OF q martyr in the
beginning of this address, became
cornered when he showed such reck-
lessness with regard to the cook. He
was not q man to look lightly upon
anything pertaining to his food.
Quite thecontrary. Thinking she had
gone too far, she became conciliatory.
81 am sure James | would not have
troubled you if"
"Oh, dare say!" he repeated sar-
castically. "You would have spared
me if you could, no doubt"
"But | couldn't" she said, firing up
again. 81 don't see what difference it
makes, any way. If you are not able
to carry on business, what have
you got a business for?'
"Exactly; what have l q business
for? Oh, certainly, what have | a
business for?' l will tell you, mad
anne; 1T is to enable me to hire a cook
for you"
He was very earnest in this declara-
ton, and Mrs. BagIy was SO over
powered that she burst into tears,
upon which, seizing his hat, her hus-
band beat hasty retreat, followed
by several subdued sounds; among
others the word "brute" was distinctly
audible.
As soon as he had gone she dried
her eyes and said recklessly:
"I don't care!"
TO prove this she summoned Jane,
paid her the amount due and dis
missed her.
Fate or whatever it was showed its
entire satisfaction at this little tenn
pest by being very kind to Mr.. Bagly
all day. When he reached his office
he found u man waiting to pay a bill
he had long counted as lost money.
Several other equally pleasant Incl
dents occurred, tending to put him i'll
q good humor He dined at restau-
rant with Il couple of friends, and for
got all about his spouse, her Jane and
her what-not. In the evening he made
the purchase OF a new hat, felt one,
to replace the light straw which the
season declared Off duty and paraded
about the town with u chum until
quite late, when he made his way
home.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Bagly was experenc-
ing agonies OF doubts and fears at his
non-appearance. Ever since it became
dark she had been in n state ofanxiety
bordering on frenzy. Never before had
she been left alone in the house after
night. She lighted all the lamps and
retreated upstairs to trembling lyawait
his coming. Herlmaglnation ran riot;
every noise, from no matter what in
nocent cause, represented to her the
approach of burglars, who would bind
and gag her. and then, after ransacE-
ing the house, would without the
slightest reason in the worldly cut her
throat and leaveher weltering in gore.
She wondered what he would say then.
How his conscience would rebuke him!
She found u great deal OF satisfaction
in this thought; indeed it made her
quite resigned to her fate.
But what il he did not come back?
What if she had driven him away-if
he had deserted her? Five minutes
later after this alarming thought en-
tered her head she was POSITIVELY GER
tain that such was her case. Yes the
cruel truth was now laid bare. He
had eloped, and lett heralone there to
be murdered. Little he cared!
Harli. Her heart gave a great
bound and then stood still. Was not
some one trying to open the front
door? She went to the window, which
was partly raised, and looked down.
Yes. standing directly below, she saw
in the dim light man with q slouch
hat working softly at the lock. Skel-
eton keys and all the significance per-
tanning thereto Immediately flashed
on her mind. What must she do to
frighten him away? Strangely enough
the idea OF calling aloud never entered
her head. Scarcely knowing what she
was doing, she seized upon q large
white pitcher filled with water, and in
another moment had poured it's con-
tents upon the Villains head. Then
she closed the window with a bang
and crept into bed to shiveringly wait
for developments.
A mans tones OF surprise and anger
reached her; probably they were i'm
precautions aud threats of vengeance
Hark The door was being tampered
with again. This time it yielded. She
heard heavy footballs on the stairs
and cold chills ran over her frame
Nearer and nearer they came. She
tried to scream, but her throat was
paralyzed with fear. He had reached
the door, she saw it opening, and then
everything swan before her and she
knew nothing more.
Whom her senses returned she found
herself In the arms OF her husband
who was vigorously rubbing her hands
one moment and dashiug cold water
in her face and down her neck the
next.
"Where-where is he?" she asked
clinging to him in terror.
"Where is who, Martha?"
"The burglar"
81 don't know anything about any
burglar, my dear, but it does seen
kind ofcurious that man can't COM
home little late without having {
barrel OF water upset on him out O
an upstairs Window" he said in ag
grieved accents.
T-I thought tit was a house
breaker"
"And why? Do 1 look like one?"
"You had a straw hat on vhen yol
left. Icould only see the hat iron
above"
eyes, l bought new one. Just loo
at it now," holding up a limp helples
ELL
81 am very sorry, James. II an
sure didn't know. l supposed yo
had run away" she said, pathetical
ly.
"Run away from here? Who from
Oh! How did know you were goin
to throw it? You didn't give me an
time to run away" he protested
hopelessly at sea.
Finally he was made to comprehen
how matters stood, and then h