The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-09-06
hey ''had their doubts" of Mrs. Mon

OesS AAS AhNhAhiAb AAASs Il iPPOf having
listened for some time at Mrs. Mon
tague's keyhole the evening before.
might have been seen flying from Mrs.
Caw's to Mrs, Maw's, and from thence
to Mrs. DAVIS. She had a story to tell
at last.
ITO think of it," she said, with
many shakes of the head, and many
mods and winks, and upliftings of her
hands. 81 had my doubts all along,
but proof has come at last. There was
man in Mrs, Montague's parlor last
night. Eow he got in 1 don't know,
but she called him dear, and coaxed
him to take more sugar; and heard
her ask him If he loved her, and as sure
as you live, 1 heard her kiss himi And
after that there wasn't a sound, and 1
went to bed with the door-key under
my pillow; 50 no one went out that
night"
Fnghtful to have ''such goings on in
the house," the ladies all agreed; and
terrible that Mr.. Pippo would not be-
lieve it.
''She has that sort of way with her
that blinds the men," said Mrs. Pippo:
'but out she shall go, as soon as can
prove what am sure Of.
Mrs. Nav, Mrs. Cav and Mrs. Daw
approved of the resolution, and all
watched for proof of the evil conduct
of Mrs. Montague.
In week Mrs. Nav had seen a
mans shadow ON the blinds of the back
window on the second floor. Mrs. Cav
had proof that Mrs. Montague's laun-
dress washed masculine garments every
week, and Mrs. Ddw had heard that
there was once lady living in -
street who was short, and had light
hair and blue eyes, of whom her neigh
bors had no opinion whatever, and
couldn't help thinking it must have
been Mrs. Montague, Yet all the
while Mr.. Pippo stuck up for his
tenant, on the score that the captain
was a good fellow, had paid three
months rent in advance. and had
begged him to see that his wife, who
had no friends in the city, was safe
during his absence.
II was the first Monday in the month.
Mr.. Pippo had to attend business
meeting of the society to which be be-
longed, and Mrs. Cav, Mrs. Daw and
Mrs, Nav, deserted by their husbands
for the same reason, were spending an
hour with Mrs. Pippo She had made
comfortable cup of tea and got out
sone cake, when Mrs, Daw, sitting
near the register, lifted her finger and
tegan to beckon to the other three.
The ladies understood and approach
ed. All were silent; and down the
aperture came plainly the voice OF Mrs.
Montague:
''Oh, Dick what would do without
your she said, tenderly. Dick, kiss
me-
oh = calculated Mrs Pippo, in as
constituent.
'Ah, ah y said Mrs. Nav in fiead-
ish manner.
You love me, dearly, don't you p
said Mrs. Montague.
Il love you dearly, said some one
else. Dearly, dearly, l love you
deaIly.'
rs it Satan p asked Mrs. Daw, in
an awful whisper. Il never heard such
voice.
Hush = said Mrs. Pippo.
oh, what a love you are = said Mrs.
Montague.
"What love you are" replied the
other. Then kisses were heard, then
there was silence.
snow you have heard 1t, ladies', e" said
Mrs. Plppo retreating from the register,
but just think, can't ever get my
husband to listen. Now. What shall
dor"
."I'll tell you, said Mrs. Cav. "Let's
go up stairs and go in without knock
ing, and find out who he is. Then you
can act.'
YES" said Mrs. Daw.
That's the thing to do" said the
others, and Mrs. Plppo, trembling with
excitement, led the way softly up
stairs. The door was not even locked.
Mrs. Pippo opened it softly. A student q
lamp shed soft light over the pretty
room, and near the register sat the lady.
On her knee perched large green par
rot, and as she arose 1t jumped down
and walked towards them with its head
one side in an alarming manner.
Very glad to see you, ladies'" she
said. Take seats. It's very kind of
you to come and cheer me up. 1 am
so lonesome now the captain Is away.
| must make him take me with him
next voyage. This is all my family.
Dlcky, speak to the ladies, Say How
Dc y IL do'P"
How do you dor" said the parrot
in the iiendish voice of Its kind.
at is very intelligent" said Mrs.
Montague. 'Calls me by name, aud
declares its love for me. DO you love
me, Dickyp"
"What love you arel'' croaked the
parrot.
"There, you hear" said Mrs. Mon
tague, laughing.
"What an intelligent creature" said
Mrs. Pippo.
"Astonishingr' said Mrs. Nav.
"WondeIfull'' said Mrs. Daw.
"Quite too sweet for anythingI" said
Mrs. Cav.
You see we came up to ask II you
wouldn't come down and have a cup of
tea with us. All of our husbands are
away"
WYes. we are all widows this even