The Washington critic., 1886-07-12
MY IMITATION WIFE.

Ihad just adjusted my time and was
preparing to leave, when mother came
in.
"Going out, are you, Tom?' she
said.
Eyes, ma am"
where, TO another party?"
"Yes, ma am"
THAT makes three this week, docsn' t
IL Tom?'
eyes, ma'am, we're hurrying to get
through. Coin to take Miss Beaufort
tonight, and then I'm done with the
Jolly club parties"
Mother, some how or other, did not
seem to think very much of what
said.
"Tom, / wish you would get mar
ried,' she had such n troubled face.
II believe you could stay at home
some" ="
We'll, 1 am awful tired. mother,
and completely worn out"
Then why don't you quit it?'
Best reason in the world, mother. I
am neither engaged nor in love, but
I'm willing to be-"
1t was getting late, so I started after
this, but the look on mothers face set
me TO thinking.
My mother Is the best woman in the
world, even Ii ! do say ii myself, and /
felt worried about her.
She was right. l was out nearly
every evening. This evening at re.
ception, next time at ball, then a
theatre party, and so on. OF course
could afford it, for my salary as cashier
at Hart's was very liberal one.
wasn't saving cent, and my own
home folks never saw me except ut the
table. Even poor, old, patient mother
was complaining.
But was having lots Of fun. There
was that Beaufort girl. She was fine
one. Could dance any kind, talk about
anything you wanted, and make you
have the finest time in the world. Then
there was Vene Wright. She would
take in the baseball with a fellow, go
rowing, skating, anything for fun.
Then Vene had money. That was
an important item.
Why shouldn't tackle Miss Vene on
the subject Of matrimony.
"Thomas, old son." said / to myself,
"Vcne is the one"
But Vene, somehow or other, did
not exactly suit the case, and my mind
reverted to Miss Beaufort. Miss
Beaufort was smart, pretty, stylish,
and suited better, but / knew nothing
about her financial standing. Thi.
was an important matter in those
days.
Meanwhile the coupe had neared
Miss Beauforts. / had never been
there before, and to my surprise,
found it to be very unpretentious
house.
confess ! was disappointed. 1 ex-
pected to drive up TO an elegant man.
sion, be ushered into fine reception
room with servants in livery, and there
await the coming of Miss Beaufort.
Then expected to make bold rush
for Miss Beaufort's heart-propose
and possibly be accepted or declined
by the time the party was over. Blu,
not so.
A little lady with gray hair opened
the door, and she was introduced to
me by Miss Beaufort as mamma. Miss
Beaufort was ready and waiting, so we
walked ont to the coupe.
"Mr Silver" said she, "don't you
think there is a great amount of snob.
berry in society, and lots of downright
foolishness 2"
"Well, yes" said I.
For instance" she said, "here is an
elegant coupe that you have brought
for me, and yet the party is only two
blocks away"
This certainly was very refreshing.
/ had actually squandered five dollars
to have this coupe for the evening, and
she did not even so much as notice it,
| know Nene would have enjoyed Q
ride in It,
"Mr. Silver" said she to me again,
'this is the last party l am going 10
| this winter"
"Well, why?" said I. aren't you
going to take in the german club bal
and the others
NO." said she. mamma hasen'
the money; she can't afford it,"
Mr.. Silver" she continued, "car
| you afford to spend so much money or
society?"
Hooked at her There was honesty
fairly shining out of her pretty black
| eyes, even If she wasn't very polite.
answered her honestly.
"No, Miss Beaufort, cannot.
haven't saved o. cent this winter, and
get big salary, too"
| well" said she, 81 have met yol
so frequently feel quite well acquaint
ed with you, and expect have beer
little impolite,"
mo-" said l, II am glad you tax,
that much interest in me-"
Then we changed the subject. hat
splendid time at the party, and en-
ioyed Miss Beaufort's company yer,
much. / found her level headed ant
bright. if she was too frank.
Next day told mother about it. She
said that she admired Miss Beaufor
for her common sense, if she hadn
seen her. Then she referred to my
getting married again.
Suppose, said she, "you protent
for a week or so that you are married
and see how 1t goes "
"An imitation Wife" said l.
"Why not?' said she. 81 will writ
the name of young lady on card
seal ii in an envelope, and you can loci
it in your desk. Then let us suppos
that you are married to her for, say
two weeks. During that time | wan
you to act just rs if the lady was her,
in person and your lawfully weddet
wife"
Whose name are you going to writ
on the card?" said |.
"Never mind" said she. II viii
write my preference, and neither of u
will breathe word about this to a liv
ing soul"
We agreed on this. Mother wrot
the name on card and sealed the en-
velope. knew 1t was Vene Wright
name, so | decided to imagine tina