Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-11-18

to be as easy as be had anticipated.
lilo stalkcd off, and spent the evening
comfortably by the fire.
The next morning. Ebenezer Hill
grove, who was going to lay half dozen
yards or 50 of stone wall for the Kings,
came, bright and early, to break fast.
Mr. King himself was frying ham and
eggs over the kitchen fire.
where's your wife ?" demanded Ebc-
neaer
"Shc hasn't lett her room yet" said
Mr. King, adhcring to the letter of the
truth, it not to its spirit.
''She was up pretty late at the con-
cert last night, eh p said Ebcnezer.
AT the concert !" said Mr.. King.
forgetting in his surprise to turn the last
slice of ham which lay frizzling in the
pan.
81 saw her there" said Ebenezer,
Gin black silk gown and hat with
blue feathers on it. Laughed awful at
the comic parts, and cried at the Fare
well Hymn"
Mr.. King, with n last CLEAN of pres
cnce of mind, rescued the ham from its
fiery ordeal, and put it on the plate.
"Sit down and cat, Ebenezer," said
he, 'whilc go and see after Mrs.
King And Off he trudged, with his
square loaf of bread and pitcher Of
water.
Arriving at the door, he unlocked it
and peopcd in There, leaning against
the window.sil, with its back to him.
was the woll-known figure in the black
dress and scarlet shawl, with white
worstod scarf half concealing its face.
Mrs. King" said he. No answer
was returned. "Sulking, eh p said Mr.
King Still no reply was vouchsafed
"Wcll," you can have it out at your
leisure" grimly commented her lord and
master. "Ilcre's your breakfast" And
he went his way. firmly convinced that
Ebenezcr llillgrovo had been mistaken
in the fact of Mrs Kings presence at
the concert.
But no sooner was the morning meal
concluded than in walked Miss Peg
gerell
"Mornin', Mr.. King, How did
Agatha enjoy the concert last night 7"
"Sho didn't enjoy it at all, said Mr.
King "She wasn't there"
"Not there ~ echoed Miss Pcggorel.
But she was, and she sat next to mo,
and ! walked homo as far as Chicken
Lane under her umbrella. You'll tell
me, next thing, ! wasn't there mysclfw
Mr.. King excused himself and went
hurriedly up stairs.
"I'll be at the bottom of this mys-
terry. said he, "or I'll know the reason
why F." lie unlocked the bedroom door,
and flung it open. "Agatha" said he,
sternly; Agatha !"
Aud then he saw that the figure by
the window, with its immovable white
face and unalterable smirk, was only
that of the dummy which had decorated
Miss Agatha Simplex's windows when
she took in tailoring, dressmaking and
the general millinery business. The
window was wide open; and the bed
had not been slept in.
Goodness me !" tragically cried out
Mr.. King "She has-lcft me p
Just then he heard tho sound of puff
ing and loud breathing behind him, aud,
turning, beheld the porily form Of Miss
Peggorell herself
"What n dreadfully quick motioned
man you be p painted Miss Peggerell
"Why couldn't you have stood still long
enough to let nc tell you her message y
"What message 2" broathlcssly do
mandod Mr.. King.
That she went back 10 the shop, and
if you wanted to sec her, You'll find her
there
Mr., King considered Should he 90
or should bo not? True, his pride was
concerned but thon, again, how nicely
Agatha ironcd his shirts and cooked his
supper How pleasant was her WELDON
ing smile when he came home little
late Of a frosty October night
ayes" said Mr.. King, "T'll co.
And he did go The lato Miss Sim
pick sat behind the big ITO let" in the
bay-window, composed and calm. She
greeted Mr.. King with an ICY politeness
that went to his heart.
Agatha !" said the cx-widower;
"you-you'ro not going to leave me ?"
"1'll stay with no man who treats me
like child" said she.
'I'ut ! won't treat you SO"
'1'll live IN no house whose proprietor
locks me up" went on Mrs. King.
'Tll never do it any more, my dear"
"And forbids nc TO go 10 concerts %
"Ill take you myself, next time,
Agatha "
And upon this understanding, Mrs.
King returned 10 the congujal home,
and Mr. King chopped up the abomina-
bio dummy for iirewood.
Agatha Simplex had conquered, and
Mr.. King never was tho same man
aRain.