The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-04-24


sheer despair he resolved to give her a
lesson N joking that would prove
cure for all such pranks in future.
From the fact that his work was on .
morning paper his hours were very late.
and he frequently did not get in till
nearly morning This gave Nellie the
whole day 10 plot and plan while he
slept. which he usually did till the mid
die OF the afternoon.
| One day after lunch as she was sit
ting on his knee she asked him:
| ben. would you miss me much II
were 10 de?' and then pensively
blinked at him. But the dimple quiv-
cred in her check in way that warned
Ben here was only new and wickeder
mischief brewing; for he had become
wise and knew the signs by this time
So he answered calmly:
s'Immensely. 1t would be so peace
full here. Nobody to fill my slippers
with water. or pin up my pockets. Yes
should miss you good deal. I
lyon hateful thing." pouted Nellie,
and prepared to dismount from her
perch But Ben was large and she
small and he held her firmly while she
squirmcd and twisted vainly, and her
feet swung but could not touch the floor
VERY well! You don't care anything
for me. do you?"
'sNot cents worth" he answered,
with an unmovcd countenancc-
| .Lct me 90. Ben Brayton," she cried
petulantly. You never did care fol
me. and now know it,
..You dear little goose! OF course
don't care that much for you; for my
| love cannot be estimated by SO poor
thing as money. Helen.
Nellie looked surprised at the fervoi
OF his tone, and knew he was in earn
est when he called her Helen, which he
seldom did. She stroked his cheek will
a tender little hand and wss silent To-
a moment.
..But what would you do If you wer'
10 come home some day and find M
e gomez"
..Oh, Id jump for joy, Of course. a
q the prospect of tranquil life ono
J. more"
v All Ncllic's tender feelings reused b.
; the previous speech were dispelled, an
this time she did get down and said:
e IF that's the case the sooner 60 tn
z better"
: lyon mean the sooner Ego the BET
= ter, shall be late as it Is. You or
e such charmer with your delightful
suggestive questions. So good-by," an
\. he stopped down to give her his usua
J. parting kiss. But She sprang back an
said:
al .Unappreciated good things shoul
! not be bestowed" and she slipped int
I. the bedroom behind her and quickl
n locked the door. Ben looked a littl
= sold. and after futile turning Of tn
!. door-lsnob took his hat. and then his d
Il parturc.
:" TIKI, bedroom was coy little mes
furnished with all the taste Of IN
~ trained art critic, whose faculties wei
e further quickencd by love- Ins dres
az ing-case was supplied with large mi
81 ror. and near it stood full lengt
- cheval glass. by means Of which Nell
- could survey her little person criticall.
s. The room was also supplied with thu
s. choicest OF all conveniences TO goo
~ housewife closets And or
- was in such a position that II open !
- interior was reflected In the miro
and the neat rows Of garments could
scanned without the trouble Of turnin
~ around This one was sacred to Nc
N lies own belongings
Z. When she darted into the room 81
- stood for moment listening TO Ben
= retrcating footsteps with mischicvo
. smile. Then she commenced series
~ operations that were peculiar. -
~ went 10 her dressing case. took n
icwclry from its caskct, then cmpti
the drawers Of everything Of hers, car
fully leaving the articles Ben had Civ
her These She carried to a small stor
room and put them In an empty trun
She did the same by the contents Of
closet. When all this was done, $
took some Of Ben's paper and sat
II her little desk where he 50 often wro
\; and began 70 pen an epistlc. Judgi
N from the expression OF her face, u v
= very serious affair; for she erased a
; interlincd so much IL had to be copi'
This done, she folded II and pinned II
Il the pin-cushion in the orthodox WI
II and not until then did her features
III lax. Then she laughed softly and 8
Y to herself
N "This will surprise him" But th'
1A was no sign Of relenting on that sir
" ing face.
At about . a. m. Ben's key unlock
the door, and he quietly replaced
or. shoes BY slippers which for once. w
os- safe to use. then walked softly into
nit- bedroom for fear Of disturbing Nell
ac- But he might have come with the cla
art and clamor Of brass-band for any
but turbancc II would have caused her!
the The room was empty! She was
there! lie looked at the bed which '
air undsturbed. The gas had been ]
no. burning in one Of the side lights Of
~ mirror, and as he turned II up brigh
nd his eye was instantly attracted by
u rifcd casxct and drawers, then by
i'm note. His face BY this time had lost
Oh look Of shocked hclplessncss, and
md now stern and pale. lie opened