The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-23

with 8 SD fsce and asksd: Kate are
quite sure Mrs Coyle oore them to your
Why what do you meanT Cannot you
believe my word?"
There. there. was only joking. They
are Indeed lovely and 1t was very kind OF
Mrs. Coyie.-
Two mornings later John Gassowav
picked up metropolitan journal In lis
ONCE and soon ran across the following
notice:
The person who appropriated pair OF
small amber and gold opera glasses from
the home of Mrs. Harold Coyle during the
reception the other evening will receive a
very generous reward by returning them
to their owner at = Fifth Avenue no ques-
tions will be asked. These opera glasses
are priced far beyond their actual money
value on account OF their associations"
John Gassoway was half distracted.
The transaction of even pressing business
was out OF the question. What should he
do? Should he stealthily gain possession
OF the opera glasses, return them to Mrs.
Coyle and confess the whole wretched
truth about his wife? No. he could not do
that yet. He would return the glasses In
some way. But he could not tell Mrs.
Coyle, and trust her not to mention the
matter to others. From this hour-when
John Gassoway became convince that his
wife possessed amorbid maria for stealing
his domestic happiness vas clouded. He
lost that interest in the activities OF life
which had made him man among men.
But for several days John Gassoway
made no new discoveries OF his wife's mys-
FERROUS operations. One morning, ow-
ever, he received from Jiblin 4 CO. "A bill
Of four hundred and sixty dollars for
Z "a ,..l II
panying mo- e from them read as follows:
JOHN GAssowAY, ESQ.,,
DEAR SIR:
Yesterday your wife came In to our store and
asked to be shown some rings clerk ex-
hibted several cases of rings. one OF which he
your wife drop into her umbrella. She
made no purchase and departed, carrying with
her the ring. The clerk duly notified us and on
investigating we ascertained that it Was a GER
tain ring set with three diamonds and large
emerald in the center, worth sI60. We enclose
bill for the same to you, assured that you will
either settle 1t or make good our loss IL you
give this matter your prompt attention you will
have no cause to fear that shall make the
matter public to anyone.
Yours truly.
JIBLIy & Co.
Poor John! With burning brain, he
wrote out a check for the amount and for
|
home that day he observed that Mrs.
Gassoway was wearing the ring.
Where did you get your new ring" no
asked with some visible signs of in IL
tience and disgust.
Il bought ii the other day at Jibins'.
Why?"
Il thought had purchased all the rings
you could wear at one time"
Il like different rings for different occa-
sions," she said archly.
But. my DEAR am not CIesus. There
is limit to my expenditure and i.ope
you understand that you can not go
blindly into every place in New YORK and
take whatever your fancy covets."
Mrs. Gassoway began to sob hysteri-
cally. John had stout heart. hut he
was moved by her weakness. He COM
menced to pet and caress her and call her
the old names he ad addressed to her rs
an ardent lover fifteen years before, and
these endearments soothed her. Theu lie
told her that she must not buy goods on
credit only at four certain stores which
he named.
You can get at those four stores" he
went on. everything that any woman
wants. Please, Kate, do not go into debt
only at these places"
Sne showed an unusual spirit OF repent
ance aud promised she would go only to
the establishments he had designated for
credit.
lew days afterward John Gassoway
was again put on the rack OF worriment
by statement sent from one of these
firms with which his wife had an account
to the effect that while purchasing articles
in their store which were to be charged,
she had concealed on her person three
pieces Of finely wrought silk stockings
and carried them away.
John Gassaway was neither q professed
nor professional Christian, but on receipt
of this new proof of his wife's besetting
sin he wished the Almighty in terms OF
choked and genuine grief to spare him
disgrace and to give his beloved wife a
better understanding of herself. 1hen
John Gassoway, goaded to an almost
childish despair went to the heads OF the
four firms with which his wife had deal
ings and said: DO not send to me any
more reports Of my wife's-actions in your
store. Whatever you discover her trying
to take let her take, but say nothing
Send the bill to me and will pay 1t. For
Gods sakei do not spread the news OF my
wifes unfortunate penchant-and so in-
struct your employees so that no rumpus
will be created at anytime. Let your floor
walkers AMI 'SpUCCer KNOW WuaC is 10 10
done in every case"
Mr. Gassoways personal appeal was
everywhere respected, and he was assured
that favorable action would he taken in
every instance; for he was money power
and not even merchants of wealth could
afford to netle him.
/ But still John Gassoway did not rest
easy in mind or heart. He went to nis
family physician and divulged to him the
story of his wife S abnormality.
Il am not surprised, JOHN said Doctor
Avery. You must remember that some
two months ago your wife was down with
nervous prostration. 1t is not natural for
your wife to be- sch, to use bull and I'M
professional phraseology, at the same
time that was the first serious attack she
ever had had. 1t weakened her mentally
and gave TO her responsive nerves a
morbid impulse, which will exhaust
itself after while. She is now labor
ing under false mental strain pro-
duced by her habits of Incidence and
luxury. Take her to the Bermudas or to
Mo-; do RI, md M