The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-11
Paid in Kind.

The manor house was let at last-the
rent was high and 1t stood empty long
time-to a family from New York. so said
the tongue of popular report, and all the
PartridgeyilIe gossips were on the oui
| vlve.
I've seen 'em," said Mrs. Peter Pepper
court, whose husband kept the village dry
goods store.
mol" said Mrs. Doxy. who lived on a
pension and affected extreme gentility.
! rs II a large family?"
only two" said Mrs. Peppercourt,
but such a heap of baggage, Piano.
guitar case, easel, nineteen trunks and
four vaIisesi And a carload of furniturei
| Bedsteads, all French walnut and gliding,
with canopy tops, and crimson satin sofas.
and-O. couldn't begin to tell you what
! else If I talked from now until dooms-
dayr'
Dear, dear" said Mrs. Doxy, "and only
two Of EN-. you say?"
| only two" said Mrs. Peppercourt, ian
| old gentleman and his young wife"
And when Miss Jemima Judkins came
up to tea in the afternoon she brought
! more news.
Their name IS Edgerton," she said,
Mr.. and Mrs. Roland Edgerton. Isn't
| il a deliciously romantic name?"
How do you know?"cried Mrs. Doxy
and Mrs. Peppercourt in chorus.
81 saw IL painted in big white letters on
! the end OF the sewing machine box"
said Miss Judkns. And I saw her at the
porters lodge this afternoon giving some
orders. 1t is but TOO common tale
youth and beauty bartered for gold. I
wouldn't sell myself to an old slver-haired
man like that for kings ransom!'
"Humphr' uttered Mrs. Peppercourt,
bo5 o~tfp r1fa vi
age Of romance. Perhaps you might
If you had the chance! Never mind about
that just now as she saw the crimson
stain of wrath mounting TO Miss Jemima
Judkin's sallow cheek, "but about these
people. Seem pretty stylish, eh?''
Beyond all question:" said Miss Je-
NINA, loftily.
I'm call next week" said Mrs. Doxy.
Miss Judkins about this time received
an invitation from her cousin, the widow
of Archer, to spend a few days with her
at her cottage at Long Branch Mrs.
Archer's paid companion had left her on
a visit to some sick relative or other and
Mrs Archer felt the need of some one to
snub, scold, and have handy in general.
"Tu CO." said Miss Judkins. Serena
Archer is firing at times, but Serena is
rich and 1 need a change. o, yes, I'll
60"
At the end of a fortnight she came
home again and was promptly invited by
Mrs. Peppercourt to tea.
WELL" said Miss Judkins. What
news?"
Not much" said Mrs. Doxy. Hugh
Ebert has failed"
i've been expecting 1t ever since his
wife got that new nile green silk" said
Jemima, rolling up her eyes.
Ill g. No.
Briefly"
IAN the better for u.s." said Miss Jemi-
ma, maliciously.
''And Mrs Roland Edgerton has left
that poor old husband of hers all alone,
while she's gone off to Long Branch, gall
livanting like any young girl Didn't
happen to see her, did your"
Miss Jemima drew a significant breath.
"Eh!" echoed Mrs. Doxy, setting down
her teacup.
yes 1 did see her." said Miss Jemima.
"And 1 wish-I do sincerely wish, for the
honor of humanity and the peace of yon-
der poor, old. deluded gentleman up there
at the manor house-that 1 hadn't"
Now, you don't tell us?'' says Mrs.
Peppercourt.
Il did see her." solemnly went on Miss
Judkins, driving out with a young gem
demonstrating in the surf with the
same young gentleman-waltzing a night
with the same young observation-disclosures
ing love to the same young gentleman in
summer house on the beach,"
How do you know" cried Mrs. Doxy.
Were you near enough to hear?"
NO" said Miss Jemima. 81 didn't hear!
But I could easily tell from the devotion
of their manner what was going on"
"Of course" added Mrs. Doxy, there |
will be a divorce suit, and then, Jemimas /
my chance or yours will be as good as any
ones for the affection of the dear, mis-
guided old gent"'
Miss Jemlma Judkins hesitated and
doubted but was talked over at last, and, /
accompanied by Mrs. Doxy, started for
the manor house.
Mr. Edgerton, who sat reading in his
library, looked up in some surprise at this
incursion Mrs. Doxy introduced Miss (
Jemima Judkins"; Miss Jemima then per-
formed her part of the ceremony by in
Producing Mrs. Daniel Doxy."
Mr.. Edgerton bowed low.
Ladies'" said he, in all courtesy to
what do 1 owe the pleasure of this CALF"
IT'S your wife, sir" burst out Miss
Judkins.
MY wife" repeated the old gentleman
Eyes, your wife At Long Branch!
+ llIS anu Cdii AHS On Win d young
man within an inch of her life While
you-ah, my heart bleeds to think you
should be the victim Of such wifely treach-
ery!"
Mr. Edgerton looked bewildered, then
amused He pulled a little red velvet
case containing a photograph from his
vest pocket.
rs this the gentleman" asked he,
opening the case with a spring.
The very one.' cried Miss Jemima,
tragicaly clasping her hands. o! hope
1 do hope he is not one whom you have
fostered in your bosom, rev.
erend siri'
"Weu. believe I have done something
of the kind" said Mr.. Edgerton, rubbing
his chin. The gentleman is my son,
Roland Edgerton, Jr. The lady whom you
are pleased to call my wife is his! I am
a widower of twenty years standing"
They 're-they're not married?' croaked
Miss Jemima.
Certainly they are" said Mr.. Edger-
ton. Ladies, I wish you good morning,
and after this you will perhaps learn to
mind your own businesst"
And so the two gossips retreated IL great
But as TO taking Mr.. Ed
gerton's advice-it isn't likely that they
News.
----
4 Gladstone I'm MemOriam-
A London weekly paper offered a prize