The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-04

Mary. the housemaid, had hit the nail
square on the head. Mr.. Twinkleton
was jealous of his handsome young
wife, who however, was entirely un-
conscious of the fact. Martin had said
nothing to her. When they were first
married he urged her to entertain and
go into society. lie seemed to be hap
picst when he saw her surrounded by
Il throng ot admirers, enjoying herSC II
in a thoroughly feminine manner. Not
the shadow of distrust affected him.
He was apparently anchored deep in
her affection and was confident of her
love and honor.
About five weeks ago Mrs. Twinkle
iton became conscious of change,
They were at lawn party at subur-
lban village. She had gone out early
in the afternoon, and Martin had join
cd the party after business hours. lie
Twas in a different mood to what shc
had ever seen him in. Instead OF be-
ing the life 'ul spirit of the throng'
he was dun and distrait. There was an
anxious, worried look In his face, ana
on asking if he were i'll ar anything
had gone wrong in business, instead
of answering in his usual sympathetic
tone Martin replied curtly: There
nothing uncommon the matter, Ger
trude / have been disappointed, that
is all"
Now this reply was just adapted TO
nut a sensitive woman i'll at ease. she
begged him to explain, and offered 10
make excuses and return to the city
with him. But Twinketon, who grew
stprncr and rruffer under her plead
lings, bade her leave him to hlmsell
land take her fill of pleasure alone.
Stung by his unusual behavior, Mrs
Tvinkleton rsjoined the throng on the
lawn and was soon one of the mer-
ripst of the party. Those who watch
ed her closely, however, would nave
seen that she cast frequent glGnceS at
her husband, who sat smoking at q
table and seemed careless of what was
going on around him.
Twinllleton was still out of temper
when he drove home with his wife.
She again tried to ascertain the mean
ing of his mood but he was short
and somewhat peevish in his answers,
and for the first time Mrs TwinKleton
realized that all is not roses in mar
ried life. Martin was aware of the
impression that his conduct had made,
On arriving at home he said coldly
that he would read and smoke a while
in the library. Bent on pleasing him
even now she got him his favorite
brand of cigars and hinted she would
like to remain while he rested. Mar
tin was not willing for this sacrce,
however.
"GO to bed he said. in softer
| tnnn than bn 10
evening. II have some thinking to do;
and. by the way, please bring me your
! jewel case"
have gone wrong in business. That
was the cause of his brusquenesS
Could it be that failure was imminent,
ana that the jewels would be needed
to help Martin out of his difficulties? =?
why, he was welcome to every trinket
she had. SO that it might smooth his
temper and bring back the loving ring
of his voice. She went upstairs and
returned with the case, and kissing
him as she gave him the key, said ::
sell everything, Martin, dear; only
don't he cross with met"
TWnketon pushed her away and
looked at her QueeTly and laughed As
hlling with tears. he said:
Don't be afraid. Gertrude. il is not
as had as that"
She thought still he was concealing
MISFORTUNE from her but as he did not
oief MS confidence, she left the room
| without another word
That was Very very pretty" NUT
tered TWinkleton. as the door closed
| ig
too Sell her jewels to helm mo ont
ha! ma! Very neat, indeed. ana such
an innocent air, too How they do mil
the wool owe" your eyes"
He opened the jewel case and Ioola,l
puzzled as he took out a glittering dia-
mond bracelet. He examined if close
ly and cried:
AN exact duplicate, So far as l can
see Nhat IN thunder does it mean"
he produced parcel from his coat
pocket ana unwrapped another daz-
2ling bracelet and compared it with
the one taken from the jewel case The
bracelets were exact counterparts.
Have | wronged hero" he cried.
And yet Spriggs set this bracelet
'hahdllng the one taken from his pock-
eO to order and declared that there
was not another one like it in Chi
'ago. Here are the same initials on
both, o. and IT mror.wm,d The
stones are alike and the workmanship
the same. What does it mean"
TWinkleton sat staring at the Jewels
until early in the morning. His per-
pleNity seemed TO increase with study
Finally he made two separate parcels
OF the bracelets, placed them i'm the
breast pocket oS his coat. settled him
self in an easy chair and went to sleeD
Mrs. TWinkletOn did not see her hus-
band next morning. She found the
jewel box on her dressing case. with Il
polite note that business had called
Martin to the office early but that he
would be home at the usual hour in the
| evening
Il am sure it is those dreadful money
matters" Mrs. Twnkleton doled with
herself And yet he never gave me a
hint of any trouble, and how strange
he laughed when | told him to take
the jewels and sell them. Perhaps it is
not 50 bad as | thought"
Meanwhile Twinketon was busying
himself in "A strange fashion. AS soon
as Sprige's jeWcly store on State
street was opened he demanded an in
telNteW with the manager, On being
shown into the private Office he pro-
ducod the parcels and handing the
bracelet taken from his Wifc's Jewel
case to Mr.. SpriGg's, said;
You remember making that for
rac"'
The icweler examined the article a
] f.t,r