Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-06-10

in surprise.
sOf course he does" said she, sand
I'm devoted to him. Why do you
ask ?"
"Oh, no matter" replied Mrs May
blossom, too proud to reveal to her
dressmaker the doubts and suspicious
which had entered her mind from the
moment she beheld the clock; ''but
you will please return my dress in its
unfinished state. lshall require your
services no longer"
With which words she fiounced out
of the little room, leaving Priscilla
more than ever astonished and mysti-
fed.
"What can have been the matter
with herr" thought the dresSmaker.
"Can she know my Augustus, and
could he have been paying her any
addresses? / must ask him when he
comes"
1t was already near noon, and but
a short time elapsed after Mrs. May
blossoms departure before the facl-
naming Augustus put in an appear
ance.
He, too, caught sight of the clock,
and his manner, which had been ar
dent and loving at his entrance, sud-
denly changed to one of fierce rage
and wild jealousy.
'tFalse, tickle woman!" cried he in
a melodramatic air, sis it thus you
betray the fond faith which my too
trusting heart has reposed in vou?"
Augustus, exclaimed she terrified
at his excited manner and tragic
tones ''what do you mean?"
''That clock" cried he, pointing
to the innocent cause of all these
complications.
"WhY-why, stammered she; 'did
you not send me that?"
''Isend you a hundred dollar clock"
exclaimed he, in tones of bitter scorn;
81 with a salary of SIS a week. You
cannot deceive me. You know that
Mr.. Mayblossom bought that clock at
our store this morning; you know
that he sent it to you, and you re-
ceived it. You took this costly pres
ent from a married man. Oh, Pris-
ella, I thought more of you; but now
all is over with US. My love is dead,
and l live but for revenge.
He clapped his hat over his eyes
and rushed out of the room, leaving
Priscilla nearly frantic with fear and
grief.
Mean while, MI. Mayblossom had
quietly spent the morning attending
TO his business, and now during the
MONDAY recess was slowly vending
his way home, full Of anticipations Of
a loving welcome from his wife and
utterly unconscious of the storm that
was gathering in his domestic
hriZOn.
He reached home. and was greatly
astoniShed to learn from the cook
that, though dinner was ready, there
was no wife in the house to share it
with him. She had come home in a
terrible rage, and had gone directly
to her room, remained there a few
minutes and then left the house.
What could it mean? He went to
his wife's room. 1t was empty.
There was no clock on the mantle
piece. All, what was that? A letter
addressed to him, and in his wife's
handwriting. He hastily opened it
and read:
Forever farewell. By the time
you read this letter I will have re-
turned to my parents. Your deceit
is discovered. l have learned all.
First, l went to the dressmaker and
saw the clock there, and then I went
to the jewelers., and made sure that
you bought it and sent it to her. Do
not seek me. for am forever lost to
you. Your heart-broken Annie"
Sensible, good-natured George burst
into a fit of merry laughter as he read
this epistle.
"Here's a fine mix-up," muttered
he, land all because my wife hap
pened to place ner dressmaker's card
among mine when she was arranging
my card-case yesterday. Well, 1 sup
pose I'll have to go after her and ex-
plain"
He went into the library below pre-
paratory to leaving the house. and
discovered lying on the table another
letter addressed to him.
"Halloaw exclaimed he as he
opened and glanced at the epistle.
"More complications and all on &C
count Of that clock. Let me see."
GEORGE MAYBLossoM:-I need only state
that Miss Priscilla Dusenbury is. or rather
was, my affianced wife to prove my right to
call you to account for your infamous con-
duct of to-day. No man, and married
man at that, shall give presents to one I
love. or rather have loved. and deny me the
satisfaction due to gentleman. By desig-
mating a gentleman to confer with Mr..
Clark, a friend of mine. in regard to the
necessary arrangements. you will confer a
favor on yours, ETC..
AUGUSTUS ToMKINs.
"Hoity, toity," cried Mr.. Mayblos-
som, fairly convulsed with laughter.
"a duel, as l live. Hang that clock,
anyway. / wonder what will turn up
next"
81 will" exclaimed voice melo-
dramatically.
He looked up from the challenge
he was reading and beheld Priscilla
standing before him, wrathfuI as