The Democratic advocate., 1884-11-29

himself TO be beg
guarded admissions Of rather an awkward
nature, which he endeayored, with only
partial success, to explain away the next
morning. The wives accordingly laid their
heads together, and though no unpleasant
ness ensued it was tacitly understood that
an edict had gone forth which etfectually
banished from the breasts of the delln-
quents the smallest hope of ever being
again allowed to visit the continent without
an escort. :.
OK rael very ,,,r,ch inclined to RIM acra~e,
said Sam Newell, tentatively.
II could not get away returned Mr..
Battledore
"Why 2"
"Oh business, of course" answered
Mr., Battledore.
"Won't do, Joey, Don't come that
humbug over me" said Sam, with q wink
Mr.. Battledore frowned slightly, and
then suffered his features to relax into a
smile He was rather pompous and dig
nified old gentleman, but he knew from ex-
perience that it was no use being preten-
tious with Sam.
"My wife wouldn't hear of it; I'm sure
yours wouldn't, either he said after a
pause.
gWhy should she?" asked Sam, with
another wink.
"Eh = exclaimed MIR. Battiedore, staft-
ing.
''Let US go and say nothing about it.
We could start tomorrow morning and
come back on Friday night in time to go
to Eastbourne as usual. We should get
three clear days over there"
Mr.. Battledore leaned back in his chair,
fairly amazed by this audacious proposal.
Had he been staying at home, the sugges-
ton would have appeared impracticable on
the face of it, but he had been fortunate
enough to let his house, and for the time
was Sans honored guest. Now, Sam s
household were devoted to their master,
who did not disdain to bribe them to hold
their tongues about his abnormally late
hours when his wife was absent. Sam
might therefore, safely leave for week
without fear of being betrayed, and this
circumstance removed great danger.
Theye would be no difficulty as regarded
his office, for Mr. Battledore had an easy
and accommodating partner, who could be
safely trusted to keep his secret. There
remained only conscientious scruples about
deceiving his wife, and these, sad to relate,
vanished like snow beneath a monday sun,
as Sam proceeded to eXpatiate upon the
attractions and gayeties of the French cap
ital
The upshot was that Mr. Battledore and
Sam Newell started for Paris the next
morning, and enjoyed their brief trip
amazingly-in an innocent fashion enough,
no doubt. They returned to London on
the Saturday morning as arranged, and
were relieved to find that no communication
awaited either of them from their respective
wives. In the afternoon they took their
usual train to Eastbourpe, as though moth
ing had happened, feeling toleFably easy in
their minds. Sam Newell certainly did,
but then he was the more hardened sinner,
being member of the stock exchange.
Mr. Battledore's misgivings were chiefly
attributable to blister on his nose, caused
by exposure to the sun, and this troubled
him good deal, especially as they ap-
preached their destination.
hat shall 1 do if my wife notices it p
uired, gazing reprehensively at him.
the polished case of his watch,
she won't notice ii" said Sam, in
hand way.
supposing she does, insisted Mr..
psen ire, little irritably.
NNas%Su YER you've been smelling a fat
o9n,v, ov ve cold," suggested Sam.
lleH sa\l mn all the assistance Mr.. Battle
xoNM IA from his companion, and he
prk NSy> >s.saself up into quite a nervous
te lest his blistered nose should give rise
awkward questions. FortupaeB, how
pr, Sans opinion turned out td be cor
t, for the truth was that the Eisfgure-
ut was really very trifing. s. Battle
made no comment upon ksband's s
earance, and was so entireE picious
yhst had happened that 8 & y re-
ID to his supposed sojourns q ftown.
Newell's wife made no suspicious in,
|es either, and the conspirators took an
opportunity Of secretly congratulating
1fhsr upor their happy escape from