Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-08

below his diaphragm. Then he felt ike
the Spartan youth who concealed the stolen
fox under his toga, and he experienced the
burnings OF a thousand pitiless flames as
they ate their way into his vitals.
During the FIRST hours torture Mr.. Toggs
groaned. and moaned. and expressed him
self In language that was as forcible as the
conditions demanded. Mrs. Toggs. without
any undue display Of alarm gave him the
full service Of her devoted nature. He had
been sick once with rheumatism, and she
had witnessed a display Of the lack Of all
Christian graces irAthe nature of Mr.. Togss
when sick, so she was not apprehenslve.
Indigestion may AFFECT a complete trans
formation in its victim. II will make either
n saint or a demon of the worst or best Of
men, or change a lion into It lamb. Mr..
ToggF, after a few hours of torture, be-
came a lamb.
He uncomplainingly swallowed quarts of
scalding hot water. He chewed pepsin tab
lets without a murmur. He swallowed DR..
Killers remedies faithfully. and submitted
to applications Of mustard ~plasters until
the outer surface Of his BODY had every
appearance Of being parboiled. Through it
all not one word OF complaint or rebellion
escaped Mr.. Toggs' lips. and Mrs. Togys
was somewhat alarmed.
AS day and night in regular order sue
ceeded each other until Ave revolutions of
the earth on it's Ixis had been completed.
and Mr. Toggs avowed that the milestone
was growing heavier. the fox was un-
wearied in his ~endeavors to claw out his
vitals. and the ineXtingulshable fires burned
with increased fury, and In the face Of all
he was growing more and more lamblike.
Mrs. Toggs became oorrespondingly more
alarmed. This complete change could
presage only one thing-the coming end.
"Dear!" gasped the tortured Mr.. Toggs.
as he turned a look of intense longing upon
his unfailing wife, and noted her anxious
face, won't you send for Elizabeth to
como and assist your You are overriding
yourself"
Poor Mrs. Toggs could scarcely restrain
herself until she FASTENED from the room,
when she burst into a flood Of tears. Mr..
Toggs was certainly mortally Ill. In all
their twenty-three years of conjugal rela-
lions he had never before applied to her so
precious ar epithet. and for the nrst time
had seemed concerned about her personal
comfort. n he had broken his oft-de-
clared law that there would be no visiting
relations Of either side allowed in his home.
Elizabeth had a reputation for being an
exceptional nurse. and an expert in the
aAAC " A@tSS Vi AaAAAAN 1880
her arrival there was a resumption, or
rather addition, Of operations. The indiges-
ton loosened It's hold somewhat and Mr..
Toggs was grateful.
"CIarissa, dear" no said assuringly, as
he lay bolstered up in a large rocker, 81
feel much better, and II 1 continue to
improve, and am we'll tomorrow III give
you $ for your nursing and care OF me. =
Mrs. Toggs Mastered from the room the
picture OF despair. She was sure he was
dying, and when she returned to his side,
closely followed by the faithful Elizabeth,
she manifested no sign of JOY at her hus-
bands assertion of marked. Improvement.
Elizabeth" and Mr.. Togg's voice grew
stronger, "Ill give you IS, too, II 1 am
well tomorrow"
Then Mrs. Toggs had a presentiment
by a rafting in the closet that he was
marked for death, and her little body
stopped in anticipation OF the crushing
blow.
BY noon Mr.. Toggs declared that he felt
well enough to go out for a walk about
the block. As he was adjusting his lus-
trous, high-top hat, he said: "If you'll
give me the money, I'll settle the account
for the medicines at the druggists"
Mr.. Toggs never liked bills to hang.
Mrs. Toggs handed her departing lord
and master a shining golden e~agle-a part
of her weeks allowance for ell household
expenses.
The druggist claimed half Of the gold,
and Mr.. Toggs tucked the change in his
lower right-side waistcoat pocket. But
feeling a suspicious sensation that
pI a return of the tortures, he
fastened home and calmly submitted to the
untiring efforts of his faithful nurse for
relief.
That night Mr.. Toggs fell into a re-
freshing sleep and awoke in the morning
a completely delivered man.
Here, dear. is that IS 1 promised you,"
and his thumb and index finger went down
into the lower pocket on the right side
of his waistcoat. and he laid a s. bill on
the bureau.
Mrs. Toggs murmured her thanks be-
tween stihed sobs but refrained from
touching the sacred testimonial of his dying
love. For. surely. Mr.. Toggs was nearing
the end of his earthly career, and his
avowed improvement was only a delusion.
She gazed upon him In helpless abandon
ment to the inevitable.
Mr.. Toggs proceeded with his toilet, and
when 1t was completed he turned suddenly
toward the bureau, and picking up the
money he had shortly before laid there,
said In his old way:
II think. Mrs. Toggs, you saved this
much on me in household expenses, for 1
have not partaken of a single meal while
l have been sick. l may as well pay Eliza
beth with It,"
And he hastened TO find Elizabeth.
AS Mr.. Toggs left the room, his wife ex-
perienced a sensation OF Joy. Mr.. Toggs
was better. He was his old self again.
She was relieved of the dread that hung
over her and she was happy.
Here's the IS l promised you" Mr.. Toggs
said to Elizabeth, who was busy prepar-
ing the morning meal He laid the bill
upon the sideboard in the dining room and
strobe away
Mrs. Toggs and Elizabeth were so happy
that they could only gaze in admiration at
Mr.. Toggs as they sat at the table, while
he ate sparingly of the morning repast,
Happy Mrs. Toggs stood with Mr.. Toggs'
lustrous high-top hat in her hand when
Mr.. Toggs appeared ready to leave for his
Office. After he had taken a last reassuring
look at himself in the hall mirror. he went
to the dining room. and said TO Elizabeth,
as he took the IS bill from the sideboard:
Il think your board has been worth this
much for the time you have been with us
as our guest"
Mrs, Toggs never questioned her hus-
bands intentions. 1t was enough that he