The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-05-10

said. "but don't neglect ne"
Peggy laughed scornfully. "Ncglect
YOU" she rejolned; "that Is funny. For
nearly three years you Systematically
neglect me. ana then you complain be-
cause l take the opportunity Of going
about q bit now that have some one
to take me-"
Look her. Peggy" said Bob. pulling
up suddenly before hey. and speaking
with great deliberatiou, Il expect a
friend in tonight. and ! want you to
be here to meet him"
She looked up with the faintest sus-
picion of 4 sneer.
Indeed. and what about TomW
"You must telephone him you cannot
60"
Il shall do nothing of the kind" she
retorted, rising. TON has taken the
seats entirely on my account. and |
am not going to play him trick like
that. Besides, Laura would never for
give me-"
"Then you refuse to stay to-nght?'
"Most certainly. You should have
told me before"
She stood at the window looking out,
a picture Of offended feminlulty. with
the most resolute of dimpied chins in
profile
Very we'll" he said, icily. "You
will be sorry for this--bitterly sorry"
There was no meaning whatever in
his words, but he felt It necessary 10
make good exit. He waited a mo-
ment. thinking she would reply, bat as
she gave no sign, he left the room
without another word.
That night Bob Wharton sat before
the fire in his study with u thoughtful
and clouded brow. From time to time
he reused himself from the reverie into
which he had fallen to rekindle his pipe
or glance impatiently at the little ebony
clock which softly licked its way To-
ward midnight on the man;elpiece. The
apartment was very quiet and still,
save for an occasional footstep passing
the outer door, or crossing the ceiling
overhead.
"She is very late" he muttered, get
ting up and going over to the window.
Outside it was beginning 10 rain. Al
ready the pavements were glistenlng
in the light of the street lamps, and be-
lated wayfarers hurried along under
umbrellas.
This sort Of thing would have to
cease, he told himself; Peggy was be-
coming more defiant and self-willed
every day. and, although he blamed
himself for allowing her too much rope
in the first instance, he would put an
end to it now once and for all. A Sc
we're lesson, he concluded in his own
mind, would not be out of place.
Something to bring her to her senses" 3"
he thought.
For some moments he stood looking
thoughtfully at the deserted streets be-
low. Suddenly an idea struck him.
Il have it," he said aloud. "I'll let her
think l have gone. That's it-gone
forever" and he turned back into the
room chuckllng over what he imagined
to be a good Joke. 1t is a curious but
well authenticated fact that even the
most level-hcaded men have occasion
ally their moments Of unaccountable
foolishness. And Bob Wharton was no
exception to the rule, for the trick he
thought Of playing upon his wife did
credit neither to his head nor his heart.
Seating himself at the writing table,
he took a sheet Of paper from drawer,
and wrote rapidly upon it for some
minutes.
1t was a note addressed to his wife,
and ran:
Friday Evening.
by the time You read this / shall be
speeding westward, for / leave New
York forever You will soon be free,
In the course Of a faw days you will
hear from Messrs Brown & Smith
who, acting upon my Instructions, will
remit you a sum Of money, which,
trust, you will lind adequate to your
present needs. Explanations under
the circumstances, are useless and un
necessary. Let It sutficie that I an
merely carrying out a long contemplat
ed plan which will soon give YOU the
! fullest reasons for legally freeing your
self forever from
YOUR HUSBAND"
Reading II over with grin, he placed
it in prominent position upon III,
desk He had barely done so when tho
| jingle of an approaching cab caught
his ear. II came nearer, and finally
pulled up sharply below.
"Ill slip into the spare ROOM h'
thought, moving swiftly toward tn,
door And then for the first time it oc
Cured to him that he was about to d.
a cruel and foolish thing. 1t was pos
slble that his wife might faint whel
she read the letter, he reflected. Per
haps he had better not spring II OF
her after all. He crossed the room
again with the Intention of destroynt
IT, but at that moment merry littl
trlll Of laughter floated mp from below
and rhen he heard the voice Of Majo
Anderson singing out Goodnight,
and the cab ilngled away
Bob's face hardened IN frowr
Let her ctme," he thought, "perhap
It will teach her a lesson she'll not fol
get in hurry" lie glanced hastil
about the room. 81 would give som'
thing TO see her face when she read
that letter. though" he said aloud. .
large screen stood near the writin
table. The very thing" he thought
"I'll slip behind this and watch her"
He heard the sharp click Of her latcl
key. The next moment she had oI
tered. He could hear the soft frof