The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-10-19

ing necessity Tor money just az tnlS tlmo.
Keeps another woman in expensive bou-
quets, and refuses his wife necessary
clothing. And he is to see her this even
ing! Oh, yes, indeed. Be quiet, you
little tormenty!"-thi to the baby.
wants him to come early. Well, he
will, no doubt; and so will /. I'll fol-
low him, and find out who she is; and
I'll expose her, if l live. Only he
mustn't suspect. Oh, the deceitful false,
ungrateful-Oh, oh, Johnr'
Here she broke down, and hugging
the baby close to her bosom, burst into
an agony of tears and sobbihg.
When Thompson came home that
evening he found his wife nicely dressed
and smiling in the parlor. He thought,
after while that there was something
unusual about her. She looked
nervous and excited, and rocked her
chair very fast as she knitted her baby's
carriage blanket, dropping stitch now
and then.
whats the matter, Maggie? Aren't
you well?" he inquired, standing before
the fire and looking down at her.
"Oh, yes-perfectly well" she replied
with toss of her head, and dropping
two stitches.
Thompson sat down, and unfolded his
evening paper. Then his wife looked up
with a smile.
Going to the thester to-night?"
mo; there's nothing much worth see-
ing, and you know I don't generally care
about it."
"Don't you, indeed? Thought you
liked Romeo and Juliet"
"They had that last night. Hamlet
tonight, I believe" said Thompson,
glahcing at his paper. Would you like
to go?"
Il go? No, indeed!" with another toss,
and dropping three more stitches.
Thompson began to read the report of
the Queen of England's speech to the
parliament. Mrs. Thompson's speech
broke in upon it:
"Was it pleasant at the club" deep.
sarcastic emphasis on "club') Tuesday
night?"
Every. Some capital songs and
speeches"
"Oh, no doubt! Some very agreeable
speeches. He, he! And it was cool and
pleasant on the balcony"
"What balcony?"
He was looking at her with eyes a lit
tie wider than usual; and she thought
she had him now. He might pretend ig-
norance and innocence, but he could not
deceive her again. No, indeed!
whats the price of lilies?" she in
quired, fixing her eyes upon him as
though they had been pair Of skewers
to pierce his conscience through and
through.
Lilies? really don't know"
"Oh, the consummate hypocrite! The
cold -blooded deceiver!" she thought.
But she only remarked, sarcastically:
lice cream is good"
Thompson turned little pale IS he
looked at her. She perceived this, and
gave a triumphant. hysterical giggle.
Maggie, my dear, said Mr.. Thomp-
son, gently, laying aside his paper, and
speaking in fluttering voice.
"Oh, yes; I'm your dear, am 1? Yours
only Of course. He, he! Oh, my! He,
he, her
Thompson was white now. He sat for
a moment looking lntently at his wife,
then started up and seized his hat and
gloves.
Where are you going?' inquired
Mrs. Thompson, with a sudden forced
calmness, while her eyes glittered omin-
ously.
"Only-ah-only to step out on little
business matter" he replied.
Then he slipped into the nursery,
where the maid was.
MARY" he said, breathlessly, ''go
down stairs and stay with your mistress.
Don't leave her for an instant until my
return. If possible, get her to bed.
She's ill, and I'm going for doctor"
Mary obeyed. She found her mistress
in the pantry, frantically attiring her
self in an ulster and a poke-bonnet with
veil.
"Lor's ma ami" said Mary, "whereso-
ever are you going this evening by your
self"
go mp stairs and stay with the chill
drenr' said Mrs. Thompson, i'm
periously. 81 have little errand to at
tend to-"
"Oh, num-" cried the distressed
Mary, hadn't you better stay in and
lie down, mum, until you get over it,"
Get over WHAT" said Mrs. Thomp-
SON sharply, as she buttoned up the
ulster on the way to the door.
master said You was undisposed,
mum, and that was to watch you and
get you to bed. and that he'd gone for a
DOCTOR"
"Gone for doctor! Oh, the deoeitful
villainr' Thought Mrs. Thompson,
as she placed her hand on the hall-door
knob.
But the door Was locked and the key