Wichita eagle., 1888-09-16
and integrity Of his wife.

and Integrity Of his wife.
"Ally," said be, after venting his wrath
on the callow dry goods clerk; ALLY, the
fools are beginning to talk It may be
prudent to draw in a little. Give the
boys hint to be less demonstrative and
let us work slower for the common good. u
"Why, what is the trouble, Henry
asked Mrs. Claypole, as she got her hus-
bands slippers and drew his easy chair in
front Of the cheerful CRATE fre-.in their
private sitting room
"That idiot Hadleyhas been telling me
Of your firtations. The boarders are
shocked at your free and easy ways, and
they induced the fellow to enlighten me
on the subject. Ihad half mind to break
his head"
''Oh is that alp" said Mrs. Claypole,
with a peculiar smile. so they think
am wicked, reckless firt? admire their
penetration But, under all circum-
stances, Henry. it's splendid reputation.
A firt has no time for other business, and
our affairs may flourish without suspicion
while they think I'm engrossed in the
pleasurable occupation of juggling with
hearts. AS for Mr.. Hadley, you may
leave his punishment to me. will settle
him in way he will remember for the
rest of his life"
"He deserves something, the meddle-
some fool" responded Mr.. Claypole, in a
coutemptuous tone. "But what is your
plant"
'Wait and see, was the quiet rejoin-
der, while those big blue eyes flashed on
inously; lit will be in the direct line of
business"
''Ah! understand" said the elderly
lawyer. "Do you expect any one this even
mgr
Herman promised to be here about 9
o'clock"
"Well, I will take nap and afterward
go to the club, SO that you may work him
alone. He is smart as whip that lad,
and expect great things of him. and
with this Mr., Claypole settled himself in
the easy chair, closed his eyes and was
soon snoring gently in front of the fire.
Mrs Claypole. who was more annoyed
by the incident of tho evening than she
was willing to admit, took up the evening
paper and rapidly scanned its columns.
She seemed to be looking for some partic-
ular item of news. Presently paragraph
struck her eye which she read with great
interest.
The scheme works WELL" she NUT
tered. mo clew? OF course not. Trust
woman's wits for that. Six months
more will give us all the money we reed.
and then for the sunny south. Bah! How
| dctest this horrid climate as well as the
hurry -scurrying habits of the people.
Everything is rush and hustle and money
making. Well, let them pile up their
wealth, let them repair the ravages of the
fire and build costly temples of trade and
commerce Those who neither weave nor
spin will be the gamers in the end.
| Honest industry is ever opening up ave-
nues of idleness and luxury for those who
have the courage and ability to follow the
only royal road to ease and afiluence."
Mr.. Claypole finished his nap in about
an hour, and at once went out to spend
the evening at his club, leaving his wife
alone to entertain tho expected visitor.
She added a few touches to her toilet
after the departure of her husband, and
then sat down to the piano and sang one
Or two love songs in a low contralto
voice
The music reached the ears Of the
boarders in the parlor, who by this time
had worn the sensational story of Had
ley's reception by Mr.. Claypole thread
bare, and were celebrating as to the next
step to be taken in exposing the scandal
Gus doings of the fascinating blond.
''The old fool has gone out as usual, "
said one "She's expecting somebody.
She always sings those sentimental dit
ties when one of those kids is coming"
"Well," remarked another, an elderly
| gentleman with pair of twinkling brown
/ eyes, Il think we had better allow things
to take their natural course. The 1lirta-
lions of married women bring their own
punishment, and l guess old Claypole will
finally come to his senses without any as
sistance on our part.
But it's so abominably disgraceful, "
snapped Miss Goggles. Il wouldn't mind
SO much if she confined her attention to
/ grown men, who ought to know better
than to encourage her base designs; but
/ to think Of her inveigling those boys.
! why, its an outrage against all the
recognized maxims of good society"
Never mind that. Miss Goggles" said
/ the old gentleman, who seemed anxious
/ to restore peace in the Frelinghuysen es-
/ tablishment. 1--WE have done all we can
for the present. Besides, we have no
evidence that there is anything radically
improper. All pretty women ike to
} firt
"Ohl Mr.. Johnson" calculated the
spinster, blushing feverishly. How can
! you say such thingY'
"It's true, Miss Goggles, said Mr. John
son, stoutly and with touch of gallantry.
/ ''Coquetry is one of the prerogatives of
! the sex; the art is inseparable from female
loneliness. Don't attempt to deny it,
Miss Goggles; you. of all women, ought to
be the first to recognize this universal
truth"
The old fellow, who was suspected Of
matrimonial designs on the antiquated
spinster, accompanied this speech with o
glance which threw Miss Goggles into o
tutter of excitement. Several of the
gentlemen Uttered at her confusion, but
she was too busy with the tender thoughts
Mr.. Johnson had suddenly inspired to
notice their amusement.
asked Miss Goggles, as soon as she re-
gained her composure.
Nothing" was the laconic response.
"NothingI'
There was tone of disappointment in
this query which caused Mr.. johnson to
elevate his eyebrows suspiciously. But
he was firm in the resolution with which
he sought to Undue his fellow boarders.
That's just il, he rejoined. emphatic
ally. We'll do nothing more, but wait
and"-
Watch" chined in Mr.. Hadley.
Yes, sir; wait and watch. You have
hit 1t exactly. l thought you would
realize the wisdom of this course"