The Democratic advocate., 1884-11-29

that the smallest clue would lead to the
discovery of his recent escapade. lie dafcd
not anticipate the scene that would ensue
when his wickedness and deceit stool re.
vealed, for the truth was that he y'"s AFRAID
of his wife, and though popPous and self
important in the world he was pretty Sc
verely henpecked a* home.
However. IL occurred to him that the
ease was not absolutely hopeless, for Sam
light find out through Mrs. Newell what
the letter was aboNs-und by putting him
on his guard enable him to avoid sinking
deeper into the mire. Accordingly, next
morning, having previously arranged with
his friend to have an early dip into the sea,
he started off before his wife was awake,
and confided his trouble to his faithful
companion. Sam scoffed at his fears, and
undertook to find out the necessary infor
nation from his wife without delay. For
tunately Mrs Battledore made no allusion
to the subject during breakfast, and after
that meal, being excused from church on
the ground of overwork at the Office during
the week, the friends seated themselves on
the beach and threw pebbles in the glisten-
ing water which rippled musically at their
feet.
But to Mr. Battledore's dismay it trans
pired that Sam had failed in his mission.
His wife pretended to kpog nothing about
the letter, and had in her turn questioned
him quite sharply about it.
"She put me in corner by asking what
you had told me about it, and why [ was
putting questions to her, said Sam, rub
bing his nose in perplexed way.
"What did you say?" inquired Mr.. Bat
tledore, breathlessly.
Il said only asked for fun. That was
little weak, wasn't it2 But ! dont think
she twigged that | was Disconnected She
seemed more curious to know whht you
had let drop about the letter" said Sam.
eyes, yes" murmured Mr.. Bait ledore.
II said | had forgotten, but believed you
had mentioned something about light green,
turned up with blue Or some other color.
Evidently Maria did not know what to
make of my answer
''Then she will go and speak I'd my wife,
who will be at me again" moaned Mr.. Bat
tledore.
Il shouldn't wonder. l say, Joe, what
an ass you've made of yourselfp said Sam,
revealing little uneasiness on his own ac-
count. "Who knows what yot tlr stupidity
may lead to. 1t may turn out to be the
little cloud no bigger than mans hand.
There is no trusting you. You would let
out everything If you had chance.
Sam Newell had much more reason to be
afraid of his wife than his friend had Of
his, but he was animated by bolder dis
position Nevertheless he shrank from the
ordeal of having to confess to the Paris
trip in the face of distinct prohibition, and,
in minor degree, he began to share his
friends depression. Mr.. Battledore's ner-
vousness 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 waiting till the
morrow
Il think we had better, and then you
will be out of harms way all the sooner"
"That will put an end to the difficulty,
for shall no doubt find the letter some
where about the office tomorrow, and can
set everything right, said Mr.. Battledore
eagerly.
Accordingly, these two dissemblers
shirked their families as much as possible
all day, and then created considerable sur
prise and CONSERVATION by unexpectedly
announcing their intended departure by an
early evening train. Business, was as
usual, the excuse put forward, and after
an uncomfortable afternoon, they started
back to town, consoled by the reflection
that the danger was happily over.
On the following evening, however, Mr..
Battledore greeted his friend with very
rueful countenance.
"The letter is not to be found anywhere.
Those idiots at the Office must have mislaid
it."
"0r else it miscarried," suggested Sam,
with an exasperating grin.
"But | said | received it Now, what
am to do? What is it I'm supposed to
have ordered ? It might be anything,
from wallpaper or curtains to a pair of
gloves or drawingroom sofa, exclaimed
Mr.. Battledsre, quite tragically.
- n ifulluG