Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-10-31

he hated that nephew a little less
than the others. whom he hoped to
make horribly Jealous and angry and
had succeeded.
When Leander asked his wife to
keep her diamonds in the bank, she
promptly declined.
But you surely will not wear them.
dear?" he suggested.
why nOt"' she asked.
1T would injure our prospects, and
not be consistent with out position
''They were a gift to me: surely, l
have the right to do as l please with
my own"
THE right-yes; but I thought my
wife had more discretion. 1 did not
know you cared for gewgaws, Mabel"
So the first cloud came ON the hori-
zon of their love. but Leander was
goOd-tenmpered, and Mabel satisfied,
and it disappeared. The truth was
that Leander had expected a hand
some sum of money from this very
uncle. who was a bachelor and very
old. But age had not mellowed an
riyes, and after raising the young
mans hopes he took a malicious
pleasure in disappointing them.
The young couple began life in a
prettily furnished cottage ON the
modern plan Of a chatting dish and
"A charm. Mabel presided over the
dainty cuisine. the buffers pantry, the
parlor, and really did wonders Lean
der fell in love with her over and
over again. But for the diamonds,
they would have been ais happy as
larks.
Did they hear a sound at night-it
was a burglar after Those precious
gems. They were afraid TO leave the
house alone. lest thieves break in and
steal, and one or the other of the two
was compelled to be the hiding place
of the jewels, when they went out
together. Mabel did not care to adorn
herself with diamonds when she went
to market or to church, but She could
mot listen to a sermon i'm peace if the
gems were not about her. And sOlEe-
how it did annoy her to canTy con-
cealed wealth. like brigand or snug
gler.
But when Leander had a chance to
! buy shares of the Little CataWba"
Lumber company, and to make as
much in thee months as he would in
a year hy his cIerkship, Mabel would
not listen to the suggestion that the
bank would advance ON the diamonds
to enable him to make the invest
| metnt
Then Leander discovered that his
wife could be a very obstinate WOm-
! am. 1T was in vain that he laid be
! fore her the benefit that would result
Sient disposal of the gems. She re
piled, not without lOgic on her side,
that the Little Cata VIDA" might be a
| failure, and then her precious securi-
ties would be forfeited. Leander,
man fashion, grew angry, and after
! some hot words reached the penulti-
mate of passion.
Il wish" he said in tones of i'll
vective, CHAT burglars would get the
hateful stones. They might at least
/ be of some use to Them"
1t lis said that curses, like chickens,
come home to rOOst. After Leander
had asked forgiveness fOn' his rude
ness and Mabel had sWeetly extended
the olive branch of Cancellation, he
suggested that she be dOubly careful
of her cherished possessions.
''Ihe town is full of burglars, and
they know the people who have fine
diamonds, and if they once set out
to get them they'll succeed"
Mabel did mot sleep With the da-
monds in the same room. WOmanlike,
she thought if she secreted them in
some place where they would never
be detected, they would be safe
Neither the ash barrel nor the rag
bag entered into her calcula tiOnS, but
places just as Inconsistent did.
One night there was q crash in the
room below Mabel shook her sleeping
husband and whispered in his ear:
Burglars. Get your revolver and
go downstairs. The diamonds ire in
the bottom of the clock"
Leander was STARTLED and confused
but as the noise continued he hurried
ON his clothes, and taking his revolver
ran SOFTLY down the stairs. Mabe
with fear.
There was n fearful commotiOn be
remained where she was, Shivering
low, the Noise of falling furniture
opening and closing of windows anC
the rapid firing of the revolver after
some flying rObber. Then regard fOl
her husbands life compelled Mabe
to hurry to his assistance. She founj
him lying ON the floor grasping hi:
revolver.
She did not faint nor shrek, bur
kneeling beside him, bathed his face
and beSought him to speak TO her.
Where am q he asked feebly, az
he tried to raise himself. "Ate tht
diamonds Safe?"
Never mind the diamonds salt
his wife
o.