Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-11-14

lock, which he had sought to hide
with his coat sleeve.
ooh, that?" said this blessed Ana
MAS ~ guess you're wrong, ma'am.
That's a bit of hair a customer of
mine wanted me to put in a locket for
him
a saw it drop" said Lydia, with a
calmness that quelled the jewelers.
glib tongue. "Put it back in the
watch. "
He obeyed. She paid the bill and
swept regally from the store. That
is why Smollett, going home that
night after a particularly vexing day
and longing to forget business for a
few hours in the society of his charm
ing little wife, found in her place an
iceberg.
She did not meet him in the hall as
usual. The maid opened the door.
When he went up to her room, she
had locked herself in and would not
answer. At dinner she came down
late and brought into the room with
her an atmosphere that positively gave
Smollett a chill, turned the butler S
nose blue and cooled the coffee
in the urn.
Smollett was puzzled, but made no
comment. With women, as in busi-
ness, Smollett's was waiting game.
He always went on the theory that if
he waited long enough the other fel-
low would show his hand. So after
dinner he retired to the library with
his paper. His theory was again
proved correct. She soon appeared,
but 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
a box upon it.
"There is your watch.
ooh, thank you, my dear" said the
unsuspicious Smollett. I'D never
have found time to 60 around for it. =
She made no comment, but watched
him take it out, snap it on to his
watch chain and slip it into its accus-
toned place in the left breast pocket
of his vest
You beast You br-r-utel" she
cried tragically, and as the hurricane
of tears burst she ran from the room
and shut herself in her own apart
ments again.
Poor Smollet was thunderstruck.
He tried in sneaking way-for the
servants were greatly in evidence
to gain audience with his wife, but
she would not open her door, and he
spent the night on the couch in the
library and went down the next morn
ing in most bewildered state Of mind
and an empty state of stomach.
Lydia's actions so worried him that
he could not keep his mind on his bus
mess. He was irritable and generally
fractions, and the redheaded young
man suffered accordingly. About
noon Charlie Paget, an old friend and
good lawyer, came in. Charles
eyes twinkled, but his manner was
solemn.
"see here, Abram, " he said. whats
this I hear about you?"
"What is it-that I've sold c., B.
and @. short? That yarn's stalel"
snapped smOllett.
"No, sir; something more serious
than that"
What is it?" in dawning wonder
at the lawyers solemnity.
1T ia-er-something regarding
your private life. l know it isn't
any business of mine" Charlie has
tened to say, with depreciatory
wave of his hand, cor wouldn't be had
I not known you so long. But as
personal friend
Personal fddlesticksI" exclaimed
Smollett Grossly. What are you get
ting at?"
"Why, this trouble with your wife.
said Charlie, with the air Of a funeral
mute. "Abram, I never thought it Of
you. l never would have suspected
that you Abram Smollett, were gay
deceiver; that you were living dOu-
bic life
Double nothingI What do you
mean2" yelled SmOllett. his ugly face
turning deep brick red.
Hush, Abram !" said the lawyer
solemnly. There is no use in your