The Van Buren press., 1876-11-07
The Spy's Reward.

"
morally certain that something is wrong
Little Mrs Wrinkfeld looked mp and
began to futter all over like frightened
bird. -
Something wrongp" she repeated.
"Oh, Miss Patty, what can possibly be
wrong2" -,
Mrs. Wrinkfeld was pretty little
blonde, with great, surprised-locklng
blue eyes, a deprecatng expression OF
face, aud a voice soft and sweet
Miss Patty Pry was tall, grenadier-
like female, with suspicion o. beard,
high cheek .bones, and elbows that wore
holes through all dresses, SO sharp and
uncompromising we're they
my dear" said Miss Patty, lowering
her voice to husky whisper. "it looks
suspicious. Wrinkfeld is great deal
too willing for you to go home ana spend
the night with your mother
"He thought it would be a pleasant
little change for me-" asserted Mrs,
Wrinkfield, eagerly.
Exactly" snarled Miss Patty. "And
it'll be a pleasant little change for him,
too"
AZ don't understand you," said Mrs
Wrihkfeld, with bewi!dered look.
"Oh, you little goose" cried Miss Pat
ty. He's going to give bachelor par.
ty. He means to invite his friends and
turn your house inside out That'a his
idea, you may depend upon it. know
for positive certainty, that Dellabee
has received an order for hundred oys-
ters, a dozen of champagne, and tureen
otlobster salad For o-night, my dear.
wondered waoi. eo;i!a possibly be from,
and now know. And that, my dear
with fearful emphasis, explains your
husbands kind willingness to let you go
to your mothers for the night. Ah-h-!
They're all alike. these men," zll
Mrs. WrinkGeld burst into tears.
Al won't go!' she cried. "Ill stay
at home"
don't do that, my DEAR" said Miss
Pry "pack your bag and go with the ba-
by. Who knows when you may again
have an opportunity And I'll make it
my business to watch Wrinkiield."
But how ~ questioned the perplexed
young wife.
"Just give me the, key Of the back
stairway door" said Miss Pry. "I'llse.
crete myself in the china-closet that
opens out of the dining.room. I'll lis.
ten. I'll find out the secrets OF the whole
tribe and generation Of 'em. And I'll tell
you every single word near"
But would that be honorable ?"
hesitated Mrs. Wrinkfield.
Honorable" dolefully repeated Miss
Pry. MY poor dear, don't you know
that us women must avail ourselves of
every possible means of keeping even
with those tyrants, the men?"
a suppose so," said Mrs Wrinkfeld,
restlessly twining and intertwining her
fingers. But never could have be-
lieved that Charlie would treat me So"
They're ::all alike" said Miss Pry,
and we single women arc q great deal
the best off. would not marry, not II
forty men were to 60 down on their
knees to me at once. No, indeed val
ue my independence great deal too much
tor that!"
And Miss Pry tossed her head with q
sniff, half Of triumph, half Of disdain.s
Mrs. Wrinkfeld gave her the key.
She knew she was was a soft hearted
easily deluded little thing, and she had q
great respect for Miss Patty Pry's dis
elimination and judgment.
But her conscience pricked her little
when Winfield took her to the station
and bought oranges for the baby and lit
tie Minnie.
She would have confessed all II Miss
Patty had not been there to see her off
~ shall count every moment til yo,
come back Mary" said WrinkHeld will
farewell kiss
"Ah-h-h! the deeeiver!" hisset
Miss Pry. on the other side.
Because you KNOW" added the un
conscious Benedict, "it's SO lonely 70
fellow to sit down to tea with you ant
the minikins gone"
And oysteas and champagne" hys
terically gggled Miss Pry, SO close t.
Mrs. Wrinkfeld's face that every wor,
seemed to tickle her ear drums. "Oh
yes, dreadfully lonely. Ha ha hal"
And SO Mrs. Wrinkfeld set off on he
ten-mile journey. tt.a.r
Miss Pry turned back, and letting her
self on the sly into the back staircas
door. creptup into the dining room an
ensconed herself comfortably in the Chi
na closet .
IL lhhant be disturbed. And sha
have an opportunity to convince Mar
Wrinkfeld that her husband is a william.
Which possibility gave Miss Patty
good deal Of solid satisfaction, consider
lug what devout Christian she had al
ways professed to be. N
- am early" she said to herself. a
the clock in the adjoining room struck
~ shall have long time to wait Blu
it won't do to risk arriving too late.
never does to risk any thing in thi
world"
At 6 Mr.. Wrinkfield came home to hi
tea, and drank it alone; Miss Patty ha
to recede into most uncomfortable an
gle to avoid being discovered by Barbs
ra, the deft little maid, as she tripped +
and fro with the table furniture
but it won't be for long, though
Miss Patty Pry. :" The guests will 500
begin to arrive"
Barbara put coal on the fire, hung u
the hearth brush and withdrew.
Mr.. Wrink6eld lighted his cigar, an
began to smoke and read with his slipper
ed feet on the fender.
d.. l. .,>x. Al 4.