Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-08-10
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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

as happy as any TedsOHaDlC HAL IllSHI
desire. His wife sat smiling at the
head of the table and his little daugh-
ter, Maude Amalia, on one side, while,
to crown the measure of his content,
broiled spring chicken and water
cresses-his favorite breakfast dish
greeted his gratitied gaze.
$50 spring has come already, has
it?" said Thompson, with a glance at
the vernal fowl and its verdant accom-.
paniment.
"Yes, indeed" responded Mrs,
Thompson, rs she smilingly poured out
the coffee; and then. with pensive
look, she continued; 81 was at Madame
Robinette's yesterday, looking at the
spring bonnets '-a slight shadow passed
over Thempson's face-"the loveliest
thing that | ever beheld, and so
cheap
"Ahl' said Thompson, absently,
munching a cress.
81 tried on one" continued Mrs. t.
IA most exquisite white hat, with seven
pink ostrich tips. 1t really made nae
look ten years younger"
you're young enough" said her
husband, abruptly. "You wouldn't
want to look like schoolgirl"
"And then just stepped into Field
& Fosters" resumed Mrs. Thompson,
"and really it was as good AS a museum
to see the exquisite spring dress goods.
There was one brocaded spring silk
rosebuds ON dark grOund-which so
exactly suited my taste and complexion
that it really seemed to have been made
for me. thought | would go right
over to-day, and get it before it is
snapped up by some one else. It's only
thirty-five dollars"
Thomson WINGED. He began to UNI
derstand about the true inwardness of
the early spring chicken and crosses.
"My dear, couldn't you wait while?
l have, just at this time, pressing use
for every dollar that | can command,
Next week."
But Mrs. Thompson had set down
her cofiee-cup, and was drawing forth
her pocket-handkerchief.
81 knew you'd refuse" she said, hus-
kily.
But, Maggie, q woman cannot al
ways understand what pressing need
her husband may sometimes have for
money in his business affairs. If you
will only wait
"And let that hateful Mrs. murchie
get the silk"
Just here the door bell rang, and
Miss Maud Amalia jumped down from
her high chair and ran to answer it.
'Its your letters and papers, papa"
she cried, holding them up, land one
of EN- smells 80 nice-just like ma
mas pretty bottles on her bureau"
Thompson looked at the missive in
question; so did his wife, and she MOTTO
ed that it was in lady's handwriting
and directed to Mr.. John Thompson.
She watched him as he glanced over
the fast few lines. Then he looked at
the signature, sml9d--a constrained and
turtive smie-and folding the note,
without flushing it, glanced at his wife,
colored a little, and slipped it under
the pap ers beside his plate.
"Who is that perfumed enyel ope
FROM" inquired his wife.
"Why, sort OF a business note he
answered indiilerently. .--.. -
From LADY," said Mrs. T., suspi-
ciously.
"Yes-from lady" he admitted,
reluctantly.
"What business can lady have with
your
"0nly little private business matter.
l will tell you in day or two. Why"
CHANGING up at the clock, and then con-
sulting his watch, otis later than I
thought by ten minutes. must hurry
And he did hurry; and in his haste
went up stairs for something he had
forgotten, leaving the letters on the
table.
Mrs. Thompson did not allow the op-
portunity TO pass unimproved. She
listened till she heard h er husbands
footsteps on the top stair, and then,
drawing forth the perfumed note, hur-
riedly opened it, and read as follows:
DEAR J. : Where were you..las even
ing? | looked for you all the time, but
in vain: Romeo and Juliet was lovely.
Romeo reminded me of you. Thanks
for your lovely lilies! Do you remem-
Der what you said to me on Tuesday,
while eating ice-cream on the balcony?
Well, | have thought it all over, and
conclude that it will be the best after
all. Come this evening, early, and we
will make arrangements. Teddy gone
away. Nobody at home but land L.
Yours only, ~.
Thompson was heard coming down
stairs. His wife hastily slipped the
note under the letters and disappeared
10y another door. He put the papers IN
his pocket and went away.
Then Mrs. Thompson went up stairs
to dress the baby. Her face was rosy
red and her eyes shone with an unnat-
ural hrilIiancy. She peremptorily dis
missed the maid, boxed the poodle's
ears for atiectonatsly licking her hand,
and proceeded to soap, and scrub, and
sponge the infant heir of the house of
Thompson with an energy which con-
siderably astonished that young
gentleman.
And as she performed this interesting
maternal duty she gave expressions to
her secret emotions in brief and emf
phatiC sentences.
80 that it was that kept him out on
Tuesday evening" Went To that ball