The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-01-10
A QUIET COMEDY.

There is beauty, love, and wit:
Happy he can compass it.
A QUIET COMEDY.
Harper's Bszar.
On su'try afternoon in September, two
years ago, Mr.. Thomas Racket, the sole
surviving partner in the well-kn,wn
firm OF Murrable, Racket, & Co., walk.
ed quickly up sheltered carriage-drive
which led to charming little house ~.
Ing within mile of Fordham, West.
chester county, New Y ork.
hurrable Racket, & Co., es probably
every one is aware. are Orion
tai merchants; and Mr.. Racket was re-
turning home after q years absence in
India, whittier he had been suddenly
summoned in consequence Of the death
Of his uncle and partner, Mr.. Algernon
Ra :kett. This uncle had for nearly q
generation been the Calcutta represen-
tative Of the firm; and after having for
more than quarter ola century done
his best to ruin his constitution by the
reckless consumption of curries and
Bass ale, he had finally succumbed to a
wholly unforeseen attack of apoplexy.
The news Of his death arrived rather
inopportunely in New York. After u
few weeks acquaintance, Thomas Rack
cit b ID married Dora. the only dauyl,-
ter Of Mr.. Cyrus Dune ,mbe, of Wall
street, and he had barely begun to taste
the joys of welded life when his uncle
inconsiderateiy quilted the world with.
out having first settled his affairs, and
Tom was obliged to leave for India at a
days notice. Mr.. Duncombe lived at
Fordham, and as the durati IN of her
husbands Absence was quite uncertain,
it was arranged that the young wife
should take up her abode near her faith.
er's house. and thus enjoy the advantages
of independence without entirely sur
rendering MIR. Duncombe's paternal pro.
lection.
Her cottaRe-for it was but little moro
was a model of picturesque comfort;
and Tom, as he approached it, felt no
little pleasure in the reflection that dur
ing his enforced separation from her his
wife had so lovely home. One thought
however, worried him little. He
was returning unexpectedly. and he won.
dered whether, under the circumstances
she had known him for so short time
as lover and hush md she would know
him again: When he left her he hail
worn only his muatache. Now he grew
n md no CO l,~.>
tame :, to boot, that lie scarcely recog-
MEL himself.
He was sptculating upon this question
when turn in the roadway brought
him in sight Of the house, and, looking
up, saw at 4 window above the veranda
no less person than Dora herself. Fair
and fresh rs Il rose ut dawn she seemed
as, dressed all in white, she carefully
trimmed too lnxurant crerper which
chung around the halfupened jalousi>.s.
1'he echo Of his step upon the crisp
gravel attracted her attention for an
instant, and she glanced down at him ;
bnt there was no sparkle Of recognition
In her eyes, and rs 9 approached the
door she quietly withdrew.
''She actually does not know me-"
said Tom to himself. ">l,e takes me for
q stranger. will surprise her."
Then u sudden idea struck him. II
will pretend to be some one else" he
thousht-*'a friend Of her husbands
from India. She thinks am still ut
Calcutta. When I last wrote to her
had not the least idea that should be
able to get home be ore Christmas. Yes,
will pretend to he some one else."
And suting the action to the word,
he rang the bell, and upon a servant at,-
told ~
giving his name, that u gentleman from
India desired to see Mrs. Racket.
He was shown into a cool, delightful
drawingroom, which contained Il thou
sand evidences Of the taste aud culture of
its fair mistress. Opposite the open
window stood hinge vase filed with
flowers. and close to this Mr.. Bracket
took w his position, turning his back to
the door,
Within two minutes ne heard the
rustling of his wife's dress outside, and
with nervous apprehension Of what
might result from his stimulation he be-
gan 10 cough violently.
Mrs. Racket entered behind him, but
he did hot face her.
Il am afraid, sir, that you End the
open window too much for you," she
said, hesltatingly.
''Oh no. thank YOU" gasped Tom,
facing her for an instant, and then gaz-
ing more intentIy than ever at the flow
era. mot in the least"
''I.et me shut the window"
"Oh, no, thank you. No. for worlds!'
returned Tom, who was already begin
ming 10 regret his determination. lie
felt oblige to turn round. but when he
faced her fully he was relieved to find
a yNA nd H.
continued, "'Ti,e fact is, Mrs.-Mrs.-"
"Mrs. Racket" said Dora, softly.
"Ah, thank you, yes. The TACT is,
Mrs. Racket" declared the dcceit(ul
husband, that l am MOI yet recon lied
to this disagreeabls climate Of yours.
--Ah-that is to say-a man who has ex-
listed in groves of mango. and has lived
on chutee and curry-1 dare say you
understand"
Quite so, Mr.-Mr.-"
"Bracke;t," answered Tom, deliber-
ately. my name is Bracket"
"what . curious sinliaritv" COM
mented Dora, unsuspiciously. do YOU
spell it with two ts''
"With two t's," assented Tom.
"How strange! Yes, l can readily
believe that people coming here. from
India find our climate very trying al
0rSt even IN this hot weather. My hus'
band writes that the heat has been ex.
eessive. Please take chair. Mr.
Bracket. Possibly You may have
brought mo news of him? hope so.
thought Ills letter was not written il
verv good spirits"
Tom regretted more than ever that hi
had not ut once disclosed his identity
but he felt it pleasant to be thus inge
niously informed by his wife that she
took so great an interest in his weiflre.'
Eyes" he n,d. ~ can give you some
news OF him, for two months ago wa
"Indeeuv' exclaimed Mrs. Racket,
with uncencealedjoy. elbow delightful i
1t is so nice to meet anv one who ha;
seen him out in that country! How wa
he?"
Various ideas coursed rapidly through
Toms brain. ShonlL he 60 on or shoult
u SNy y