The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-16
MRS. GASSOWAYS CASE.
By LEON MEAD.


John Gassoway had been sitting before
his roler-top desk In his luxuriously ap-
pointed Office In Wall street scarcely half
an hour one morning when an adolescent
factotum brought In the card OF Sumner
Crossrib OF Crossrib, Gallup IL Co., promi-
nent dry goods merchants on Broadway.
SHOW him In" said Mr.. Gassoway to
the boy who Immediately withdrew Mr..
Gassoway again scrutinized the card and
said half in whisper to himself: Hes
probably called to see me In regard to
bill. Ny wife does some OF her internal
and eternal shopping there"
Mr.. Crossrlb at that instant appeared In
the doorway and was affably greeted by
Mr.. Gassoway, the broker.
Il see you get down into the street occa-
sionally," said Mr.. Gassoway, by way OF
breaking the conversational Ice.
"Oh, yes" replied Mr.. Crossrib taking
the chair to which the other had pointed.
But as q general rule l try to keep out Of
it." he continued, with sort OF suppressed
POPULARITY.
You remain on the safe side" suggested
Mr.. Gassoway. with sympathetic humor.
Il try to-" was the reply. There was an
evidence OF restraint in Mr. Crossrib's
manner which seemed foreign to it and
therefore all the more conspicuous.
We'll, Mr.. Ciossrib, what may have the
pleasure Of doing for your"
Mr.. Gassoway my errand Is delicate
and extremely annoying one to me, be-
gan MIR. Crossrlb. Il hardly know how to
explain myself fear l shall arouse your
anger to al irresponsible pitch, and yet,
feel 1t my duty to be candid with you"
Don't have any false modcsty. Mr..
Crossrib. am able to listen without al
lowing my passion to turn molten. II you
came in to borrow fifty thousand dollars
on no collateral could lear Your retitlon
anu still remain calm"
81 do not think you viii eve" hear from
my lips any such retition." said Mr..
Crossrb. with bustling gesture us Of
proud derop alton Of suci u desid-ratum as
money. Frankly. Mr.. Gassoway. | do
not care any longer for your wi.e's trade"
And WHY not?' demanded Mr.. Gasso-
va, with an incipient evidence on his
countenance Of beng injured.
BECAUSE answered Mr.. Crossrib,
"yoar wife was discovered yesterday af-
telLoon in the act Of appropriating
small piece " very costly lace. l may add
that there was on.y yard OF it."
"Crossrlb, what do you mean?' cried the
instantly infatuated broker, springing to
bis feet and closing the Office door with
bLiig t,,it was significant to tue clerks in
tie adjacent rooms. That bang meant
that Mr. Gassoway was not to be dis
turbed until lie opened the office door him.
self.
Il mean exactly what | have affirmed"
pursued Mr.. Crossrib, "and DO not come
to you without the most positive assur-
ance that the woman who tried to conceal
that piece of lace Oh her person was--Mrs.
Gas oway."
Great Heavens! man, what are you
saying? ''Crossrib, l have always heard
OF 20. as a man of honor. But go on.
Give me the proofs of my wife's guilt"
AS have told you, one of our detec-
tives saw your wife place the lace which
she herself rolled up compactly, during
the temporary absence Of the girl who had
been waiting upon her, into her retcule.
The detective, knowing your wife by
sight, and knowing she had an account
with the store, followed her to her car
rage and politely asked If she wished to
have the piece of lace charged in her
name. Thereupon she flew into great
rage slammed shut the carriage door,
and was driven away. What | tell you,
Mr.. Gassoway, is Gods honest truth"
Il cannot believe it, but one thing, Mr..
Crossrib l want to know now. Will you,
on your honor assure me that this shall
go no farther for the PRESENT."
YES" said Mr. Crossrip, provided l am
protected, the world shall know nothing
about it,"
Very we'll Mr.. Crossrib. am not sat
istied There must be some mistake. But
charge to me the value Of that lace and
put it in your next bill. Is that all, Mr..
Crossrib?'
That is all, Mr.. Gassoway," said the
grizzly-bearded merchant as he rose and
with good day departed.
At six O'Clock that day John Gassoway
reached his Madison Avenue residence
Half an hour later he sat at the head of
his table, with his wife at the other end,
and their three blonde children, his visit
ing spinster sister from Boston and pair
of more or less insipid twin brothers,
cousins of Mrs. Gassoway.
During the progress of the repast, Mr.
Gassoway noticed about his wife's neck a
piece OF mst-like lace of wondrous tint
and texture He referred to it in compli-
meDtdry terms.
Yes said Mrs. Gassoway, vivaciously
but with slightly heightened color in
her checks Il was very fortunate in OBJ
tanning this piece at the store of Crossrib,
Gallup x Co., yesterday afternoon. 1t is
genuine MecAlia."
did you pay for it, or have it charged
ing to make his tone and manner casual
Why replied his wife somewhat con
tuscdly. Il paid torit, John"
"A pang of doubt and bitterness sho
through Mr.. Gassoway's heart, but he
was not yet prepared to believe his wife
guilty. He thought it impossible thai
she could be kIeptomanic, she who was
born in affiuence and had always beef
able to crafty her most extravagan
wishes in respect of dress and luxury.
Later that evening Mr. and Mrs. Gasso
way went to a reception at the house o
Mrs. Coyle fashionable young widow
noted for the novelty of her midnigh
spreads"
On returning home Mrs. Gassoway pro
duced from her pocket a beautiful littl
pair of amber and gold-mounted oper;
glasses.
See, John, what dear Mrs. Coyle insist
ed on giving me. Aren't they just sweet
She and l were chatting for few min
utes in her own boudoir when / spied thes