The Mineral argus., 1885-01-22

seated themselves on the beaah and
and threw pebbles into the glistening
water which npplsd unsteady ct their
feet.
Bat to Mr.. Battledores dismsy il
transpired that Sam had failed in his
mission. His wife pretended 20 know
nothing about the letter, and had in
her turn questioned him quite sharply
about il.
"Shs put mo in . corner" said Sam.
rubbing his nose with . perplexed air.
"bv asking what YOU had told me about
il. and Why was putting questions to
her."
what did you ssy!" inquired Mr..
Battleslore. breathlessly.
II said I only asked for fun. That
WAS little weak. wasn't IL? But don't
think she twigged 1 ~as disconnected.
said Sam. "She seemed more curious
to know what You had let drop about
the letter."
"Yes. yes!" murmured Mr.. Battle
dore.
II said I had forgotten, bat 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 my an
swer.'
Then she will 60 and speak to my
wife. who will be ct me again" moaned
Mr.. Battledore.
II shouldn't wonder. I say, Joe,
what an ass you've made Of YOURSELF"
said Sam, revealing little uneasiness
on his own account. "Who knows
what your stupidity may lead. to? Il
may turn ont to he the little cloud NO
bigger than mans hand. There 10 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
had OF his. but he WAS animated by Q
holder disposition. Nevertheless, he
shrank from the ordeal OF having 70
confess to the Paris trip in the faro 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 ct |
the suggestion that they should return
to town that evening, instead Of wait.
ing till the morrow.
Il think We had better, and then Won
will be out Of harms way all the soon.
err"
"That will put an end TO the Difficult.
ty. for shall No doubt find the letter
about the Office Tomorrow
and can set everything right" said Mr..
eagerly.
AOcopIsn~1v kE> 49, l:--a, |
shirked their families A. much a. posi-.
BILE all day, and then created consider
able surprise and CONSERVATION by nm.
sxpectedly announcing their intended
departure by an early evening train.
Business was - usual the excuse put
and after an uncomfortable Of.
'crnoon they started back to town, con.
'oled by the reflection that the danger |
vas happily over. ,
On the following evening, however.
Mr.. Battledore greeted his friend with +,
very ruef1l cOuntenance.
"The letter Is not to he found sny.
where. Those idiots at the Office must ,
,ave mislaid it,"
"Or else it miscarriet," suggested |
lam, with an exasperating grin. 4
But said ! received it! Now, what |
m to do? What is it I'm supposed to
ave ordered? II might he anything,
rom wall paper or curtains to pair Of !
loves or Q drawing room sofa," ex- 5
laimed Mr.. BattledOre, quite tragi- {
ally.
1T is certainly awkward; but il I I
'ere you I should pretend to forget all I
bout the thing when next we 20 down, q
'en to one your wife will then mention 7
hat it is, said Sam, in hrs confident
ray. Z
Poor Mr.. Battledore plucked mn .
cart little ut this suggestion, hut he &
ontinucd to grow more end more un- Il
Ny, especially after receiving Q post h
ard from his wife day or two later, 4
njoining him to remember her COM Y
lission, and 10 bring it down with him I
n Saturday, without fail-the last two q
ords being literally UNDERSIGNED. !,
"HOw can pretend I've forgotten il \
tier that?" said Mr.. Battledorc, pee. 9,
lshly, ~ he threw the post card on the p
lble. j
lyon will have TO. It's YOUR only u
nance" said Sam. looking quite seri-
N. il
why couldn't she have mentioned p
le article, instead OF saying it ?" ex- n
aimed Mr.. Battledore, tearing the n
'rd viciously into small pieces. q
IN tell you what. old fellow. I le
lall take Mrs. N. bracelet or some n
ling when We 60 down on Saturday" Ia
i'd Sam thOughtfully. IF there M
'ould he row, it won't do any harm. Il
I'd it may enable me TO assist you to d
certain what you wish to know" o.
Mr.. Battledore's approximations y
ached to dangerous pitch when his 70