Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-04-24

and proceeded to unfold the plan
which he had concocted for Hon.
Martin Choke's edifcation. Mrs
Multiple was startled at first, but her
husband soon overcame her objections
and imbued her with his spirit.
The next day Mrs Multiple repeated
her shopping expedition, and return
ed home with her elderly admirer in
tow. Hon. Martin Choke might well
have been suspicious of the lady'sisud-
den graciousnesS. Instead of shun-
ming him, as heretofore, she had per-
United him to speak to her, and had
even invited him to lunch in her hgs-
bands absence. But, when a man is
strongly convinced of his powers Of
fascination, he does not easily divine
that he is being trihed with 1t did
not seem to enter Mr.. Choke's head
that Mrs. Multiple was acting part,
and he followed her with a smiling,
self-satistied and complacent mien.
Mrs. Multiple led the way into the
snug apartments where she and Sam
had conspired together the day before,
and invited her gallant to be seated.
/ Her manner was so perfectly easy and
natural that Mr.. Choke was more
than ever impressed with the belief
that he had made a conquest; but al
most before he had time to open con-
versation a laundering knock was
heard at the street door.
"My husband}' exclaimed Mrs.
Multiple, starting up with an excellent
appearance of horror and amaze
ment
Il thought you said he was out, "
said Mr.. Choke, uneasily.
'But he has returned. It's his knock.
Gracious heavens! what shall / dog'
cried Mrs. Multiple, rushing frantic
ally to the window, and wringing her
hands.
my dear lady, there is no cause for
alarm" said Mr.. Choke, recovering
his presence of mind. you have
only to Introduce me as an old friend
that you knew before your mar
riage.
This is dreadfully horrible!' cried
Mrs Multiple, in frantic state, too
frightened, apparently, to lister 10
reason. HE will not be deceived,
and has evidently watched me. He
saw you from the window yesterday,
and told me who you were.
pray calm yourself, madam. You
will betray yourself and me too, if
you 90 on in that fashion, " said Mr.,
Choke, getting alarmed at the state of
affairs; while the sound of the knocker
reverberated q second time through
the house
"There The man is opening the
street door, - cried Mrs Multiple, who
had worked herself into a perfect
frenzy. ''He is coming in. Here you
must hide instantly" she added,
suddenly throwing open the door of
a small boudoir adjoining, as though
by an afterthought
81 assare you, dear madam, there
is no OCCASION protested Mr.. Choke.
"There is. Appropriation is at
stake, cried Mrs. Multiple, vehement
but the servant who opens the
doors
"He Will hold his tongue. If my
husband does not see you his SUSPECT
ons will be allayed," said Mrs Null
tiple, II will lock you in and give
the key to the butler. You shall be
released as soon as ever you can
safely leave
There was no time for further par
ley, and Mr.. Choke somewhat reluct-
antly yielded to the lady's urgent en-
treaties and stepped into the boudoir.
N nl
him than Sam Multiple burst into the
room and confronted his wife with Il
terrible aspect. The scene that en-
sued had been carefully rehearsed, and
was well calculated to deceive the
anxious listener. Sam vowed and de-
clared that he had reen a man enter
the house, and III spite of his wife's
eager denial, he continued to upbraid
her fiereely. His rage and Jealousy
was so great that he swore he would
straugle the intruder, and he certainly
succeeded in impressing Mr.. Choke
with q wholesome dread of meeting
him in his present mood. Fortunate
ly Mrs. Multiple's indignant protes
tauon Of innocence seemed to dlsarm
him, he gradually grew calmer,
though it was evident that he was
still angrily suspicious With con
siderable ingenuity his wife at length
prevailed upon him to accompany
her into an adjoining apartment, and
poor Mr. Choke felt uuspeakably
grateful to her for providing for his
escape.
"Well, Loo, how did l do it}" in
quired Sam, with a grin, as soon as
they were out of earshot of their
prisoner.
Very well, indeed, Sam. I be-
Heve YOU would make an actor my
dear, said his wife, sinking into a
chair from cheer exhaustion.
by Jove, Loo. You were first
rate said Sam, admiringly, mop
ping his forehead. II shouldn't care,
though, TO play the jealous husband
every day in the week. It's internal
ly fatiguing. Thanks, my love. |
think I Will take b. and S. y"
"What is to happen next" inquired
Mrs Multiple, as she handed the
grateful draught to her husband.