The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1900-01-06

lOOklDE VI D1OIidio, AtSpt(Nto ilChOti
of the board of trade and thorough
business man. / don't suppose any
woman except Smollett's wife ever
looked at him twice, and yet Mrs. Smol-
lett was inordnafely jealous.
Lydia got it in her foolish head that
Abram was spending more time in his
office than he ought, and became fright
fully jealous of the typewriter, whom
she pictured in her own mind as a siren
OF unlimited power over the other sex.
When she made an unexpected de-
scent upon the office. however, she
found a long-legged. red haired boy bat
tering the keys Of the machine, and the
only woman on the premises was the
scrub woman. of whom even Lydia
could not be jealous.
Smolle{t is as methodical in his habits
as well-regulated town clock. On
certain day every spring he leaves off
nannels, and on a certain day In the
fall he puts on overshoes. Once in
every two years he has his watch
cleaned at the jewelers.. The time for
renovatng his chronometer came
around lately. and Smollett left It with
1eweler on Broadway, in the shop
ping district.
stocks were rather shaky about that
time, and he had to be at his desk early
and late to watch matters. He couldn't
ind time to go around after his time
piece, and its absence was always both
ering him, for he had to depend upon
church clocks, a French mantel clock
that was never known to be right half
day at time. or his wife's chatelaine.
and was always missing cars and being
late at appointments.
So dear Lydia, with the best OF inten
tons, found the jewelers. ticket and
went herself after the watch, saying
nothing to Smollett about it. When she
presented the ticket to the jeweler. he
looked at itand then at her.
Thisjs aAgentleman's watch, miss"
Lydia blushed prettlly. .'Oh. yes; it's
my husbands" she said.
He brought it from the safe and said.
Il think It's all right. maam." He
snapped the case aud opened the hack
OF the watch to look at the works. As
ne oid so tiny lock OF hair slipped out
upon the show case.
Inc Jeweler glanced at II and then al
LYDIA Her hair is golden brown.
Inc lock which had dropped out OF the
watch was yellow
Inc Jeweier was wise man; he was
married himself. He glanced sIvlv at
LYDIA Her eyes were flashing and
RED spot burned in either cheek. She
nao seen the lock OF hair, but he. out of
the goodness of his heart tried TO shield
the victim. He closed the watch with.
out putting back the hair. and started
10 pack the timepiece In box.
You have forgotten something" said
Lydia, In hard voice.
Deg your pardon"
You have forgotten something" she
repeated. pointing to the yellow lock-
which he had sought to hide with hi,
coat sleeve.
On, that? said this blessed Ananjas
guess you're wrong, ma'am. That's
bit OF hair customer of mine wantad
me to put in a locket for him"
Il saw it drop" said LYDIA. with n
calmness that quelled the jewelers. glib
tongue. Put it back in the watch"
de obeyed: she paid his bill and swept
regally from the store. That is WHY
SmoHett, going home that night after n
peculiarly vexing day. and longing 70
forget business for few hours in the
society of his charming little wife.
round IN her place an iceberg.
Smoliett was puzzled but made no
comment With women, as In business.
Smolletts was waiting game. He al
ways went on the theory that, If he
waited long enough. the other fellow
would show his hand. So after dinner
ne retired to the library with his paper.
bis theory was again proved correct.
She soon appeared, but a glance at her
face assured him that there was little
change in the weather. He wished he
had ordered James to light a fire in the
crate. She stood beside the table and
placed box upon 1t.
There Is your watch"
"Oh, thank you. my dear" said the
/ unsuspicious Smollett, I'D never found
time to go around for it"
She made no comment, but watched
him take It out, snap it onto his watch
chain, and slip 1t into its accustomed
place in the left breast pocket of his
vest.
You BEAST you bruter' she cried,
tragically. and as the hurricane OF tears
burst she ran from the room and shut
herself into her own apartments again.
! PoAr Smollatt was thunderstruck. He