The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-11-21

to find out the necessary informatio,
; from his wife without delay. Fortu
nately Mrs. Battledore made no sllu
sion to the subject during breakfast
and after that meal, being excused
church on the ground of overwork a
Office during the week. the friend.
seated themselves on the besah anG
and threw pebbles into the glistenine
wateE (which nppled unsteady at theii
feet.
Bat to Mr.. Battledore's dismav il
transpired that Sam had failed in his
mission. His wife pretended to know
nothing about the letter, and had in
her turn questioned him quite sharply
about it.
"She put me in corner" said Sam
rubbing his nose with perplexed air.
"by asking what you had told me about
it, and why I was putting questions To
"What did you say?" inquired Mr..
Battletlore, breathlessly.
II said I only asked for fun. That
was little weak, wasn't it? But don't
think she twigged I vas disconnected, n
said Sam. "She seemed more curious
to know what you had let drop about
the letter."
Eyes. yes!" murmured Mr.. Battle.
dore.
II said I had forgotten, but believed
you had mentioned something about
light green, turned up with blue or
some other color. Evidently Maria
didn't know what to make of nv an
swer."
''Then she will 60 and speak to my
wiie, who will be at me again, moaned
Mr.. Battledore.
j II shouldn't wonder. I say, Joe,
what an ass you've made of yourself!' r.
said Sam, revealing little uneasines.
on his own account. "Who knows
what your stupidity may lead to? II
may turn out to be the little cloud no
bigger than mans hand. There is no
trusting you. You would let out every.
thing you had chance"
| Sam Newell had much more reason
to be afraid of his wife than his friend
4 had of his, but he was animated by q
holder disposition. Nevertheless, he
shrank from the ordeal of having to
confess to the Paris trip in the face of
distinct prohibition, and in minor de.
gree he began to share his friends de-
preston. Mr.. Battledore's nervousness
gave him just cause to fear that he
would betray them both on the smallest
provocation, and he rather jumped at
the suggestion that they should return
to town that evening, instead of wait
ing till the morrow.
II think we had better, and then YOU
will be out of harms way all the SOON
er."
"That will put an end to the difficult
ty, for / shall NO doubt find the letter
somewhere about the Office tomorrow
and can set everything right, +" said Mr..
Battledore, eagerly.
Accordingly the two dissemblers
shirked their families as much as posi-
ble all day, and then created consider
able surprise and CONSERVATION by un-
expectedly announcing their intended
departure by ON early evening" .xa;n.
Business was as usual the excuse nut
forward, and after ap>dncomfortable af.
ternoon they started back to town. con.
ssisis san anliiirthe reflection that the danger
,s;.i.ns. No. lily over.
=. =. - following evening, however.
ltiIff edore greeted his friend with
sIkyl ful countenanoe.
1OtUE. :ter IS not to be found .ny.
4s.a b!na,asys Those idiots at the Office must
(. .,, hs as 81, ss; sslaid it,"
sssss e :; lse it miscarried," suggested
s s:sI; q! a 4 with an exasperatine grin.
!TIT But said received it! Now. what
lam to do? What is it I'm supposed to
have ordered? 1t might be ANYTHING.
from wall paper or curtains to q pair Of
gloves or q drawing room sofa" az
cally.
ut is certainly awkward; but il I
were you should pretend to forget all
about the thing when next We 20 down.
len to one your wife will then mention
what it is, !" said Sam, in hls confident
way.
Poor Mr.. Battledore plucked mn
heart little at this suggestion, but he
continued to grow more and more nm
easy, especially after receiving q post
card from his wife day or two later.
hegjoining him to remember her com.
sion, and to bring il down with him
r,rday, without fail-the last two
ling literally undersigned.
IN I pretend I've forgotten it
~ MD. Mr.. Battledore, pee.
= theusej5aeRo post card on the
g. . goose mays your only
!. odd. Long quite seri-
ZS they cease
-: - delicacy. nave mentioned
800 :. .ying it ?" ex-
81 gun" ~ 70, tearing the
r: ~. :. II pieces.
49, tne 3. old fellow.
. g Aent p bracelet or some.
-. tle,A town on Saturday, .
conr ntfully. IF there
g. ss 1T won't do any harm.
sSs is me to assist you to
$500 you wish to know"
fsss stledores spprehensions
54 dangerous pitch xhsn his
Qunced his intention Of adopt
9ceution. But : little