Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1915-06-10

husband goes evenings"
"oh, ho-hope it's not in other To-
female company"
"Just that" pronounced Mrs. Pres
colt deiinitely-"just exactly that"
"oh, shall diel" declared Althea.
desperately.
Don't do It. Be brave. Wen trap
him. Wen make him repent. The
men are all the same. This lesson
will cure him"
where does he go?" faltered Al
thea.
"You know that gay rich widow who
has bought the big house on the hillf"
"Mrs. Warrington? Yes"
well, he goes there"
"And he IL such handsome mani"
mourned poor Althea. Under her
wiles-"
Eyes. they say she is 4 dreadful
creature" interrupted Mrs. Prescott,
spicily. 1.-THE house is full of COM
pany all the time. She's out for q new
husband, but she might leave respect
able married men alone, say II"
"Oh, what shall dot" lamented Al
thea, in wild despair.
"Why, I'll stay with you till the cul-
prit comes home tonight Wen con-
front him together"
Althea was 30 heartsick that she
was ready to assent to any arrange
next. She had dreadful headache,
but her visitor saw to 1t that O full
meal was prepared for supper.
Althea lay crying softly to herself
on q couch; the old ogre sat rocking
herself eagerly and gloating over the
anticipated interview with the guilty
husband.
Suddenly Althea reused up and bent
her ear and listened intently. There
were subdued voices and the sound Of
slow trampling feet outside.
There came a cautious tap at the
door. Althea faced the village physi.
clan. He looked serious.
"Mrs. Lind" he said gravely. your
husband"
Althea uttered q wild scream. She
had glanced in alright past the speak.
er, to view litter borne by four men,
and upon 1t, white and still, lay her
husband.
"oh, he is dead-he is dead!" she
shrieked.
mot so bad as that, Mrs. Lind"
declared the doctor reasurringly. HE
had bad fall, but no bones are
broken. 1t Is only few bruises and
q severe shaking up. Mr.. Lind is badly
stunned, but we shall soon have him
back in his clear senses"
How did 1t happen-where?" Mrs.
Prescott managed to inquire, az they
placed the injured man in bed.
1T was up at the big house on the
HILL" was explained by one Of the four
men who had carried Arthur into the
house.
"Ah, I thought SOL bodied the
trouble-maker, with mysterious
smile on her face. -
"Yes," broke in the doctor, land
Mrs. Warrington was most kind. She
deplored the accident, the breaking of
a ladder. She almost insisted on car
ing for the invalid herself"
Naturally" purred Mrs. Prescott.
you see." added one Of the men,
"Mr. Lind had a chance to make a
little extra money working with US
nights. It's out Of his line, and he
made a misstep. Mrs. Warrington had
never seen him until he was hurt.
She's got a grand, good heart, for she
felt 30 sorry for his poor wife here"
Mrs. Prescott opened her eyes wide.
Was her carefully reared fabric OF
meddlesome guesswork about to be
rudely shattered?
Althea had been busting about max
ing her husband comfortable. He was
breathing more easily now and his |
eyes had opened several times. In
moving his coat something fell from
one Of its pockets.
Mrs. Prescott bounded forward like |
q hawk.
1.-THE pink piece Of paper!" she
whispered eagerly. "0h, now We will
know!"
Yes, they soon knew. The little
scrap bore notation Of payments Ar
thur was making on q diamond ring
for Althea's birthday.
"Oh, the poor dear!' sobbed the
overcome Althea. HE risked his life
to buy me a present! Go home!" she
added sternly to Mrs. Prescott.
And the busybody, with q siclxly
smile, passed out over the threshold
Of home forever happy afterwards.