Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1906-03-01

weeks, ana Lnere is none Otner. Ii the
brooch is designed for Mrs. Weeks,
give it to me-
Excuse me, madam replied John,
with much earnestness, "you are not
the lady to whom Mr.. Weeks intro
duced me as his wife, and, much as
commiserate your unhappy lot-for
l perceive now plainly that Mr.. Weeks
is a great scoundrel-I cannot place
the diamonds in Your possession, since
to do SO would be breach of trust.
This is a most unfortunate business,
and I deplore it deeply. I regret very
much that l had anything to do with it.
Good morning, madam. I hope Mr..
Weeks will be able to explain things
satisfactorily And John Smith bowed
himself out.
1t may be imagined that Mrs. Weeks
was in no very amiable frame of mind
when Gale, as innocent as lamb, and
all unsuspecting the stormy scene
which awaited him, returned home.
For three days she had been nursing
her wrath to keep it warm," and, when
at length her husband entered her
presence and rushed forward for the
kiss of welcome, she sternly waved him
off, holding her right hand behind her
the while, and said, with terrible calm
ness:
"How is Mrs. Weeks, Caleb? Why
didn't you bring her home with your"
Gale saw at once that his wife was
either in dead earnest about something
Or had suddenly taken leave of her
senses. Then it occurred to him that
she might be displeased because he
| had remained absent so long. So he
said, apologetically:
II don't know what you mean by
| how is Mrs. Weeks?-and why didn't
I bring her homer my dear. I sup
pose you are indulging in one Of your
| goOd-natured jokes. l am glad to see
you in such excellent humor. I was
afraid you might not like it because
! I didn't get home sooner. But could
| not, love, or l should have done SO.
! had good deal to look after, you
| know-many purchases to make, many
| different parties to see, and all that
| sort sort Of thing. So don't be cross,
but give us kiss and say no more
about it,
"Yes," rejoined Mrs. Weeks, with
flashing eyes. 81 know all about the
parties you had to see and the pur-
chases you had to make. I hope you
| didn't pay too much for the diamonds
you bought"
Diamonds, my dear! Diamonds"
exclaimed Gale, slightly bewildered;
what the deuce are you talking about
l have bought no diamonds; believe
you are taking leave Of your senses!
'She is much younger than I am,
returned Mrs. Weeks, significantly
taller and better-looking!" and, a
she spoke, she drew from behind her {
cowhide and brought it down vigorous
ly over the shoulders of the unfortu
nate Gale. Large, lustrous black eyes
-whack! whack:-a wealth Of COLDER
hair!-whack! whacx!-rosy cheeks
-whack! whack!-a rosebud mouth
whack! whack!-richly dressed!- :
whacll! whack!-a profusion of jew
elry!-whack! Whack!-a magnificen
ring for birthday present!-whack
whack!
At this point, Gale, now thorough.
satisfied that his wife had through
jealousy become temporarily insane
made break for the door, and, pass
ing through it, rushed down the stair
closely followed by his infuriated wife
who continued to ply the cowhide til
her unfortunate husband had got safe
, ly outside.
Having at length escaped, Gale
whose shoulders still smarted from tn
castigation which he had received
seated himself beneath an old elm,
cogitate as to what was best to be don
, under the circumstances. He had jus
, ! about made up his mind to go for tn
family physician, when familiar voic
at distance greeted him:
J Hello, Gale, old boy! How's thing
| inside? Did make it hot for you, eh /:
Looking up, he saw the familis
countenance of John Smith, and tt