The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
THE WRONG BEDFELLow.
H ow Man Started for the Country and
Changed His Mind.
From the Boston Herald


Maria, my dear, will you pack my bags
Just nightshirt, toothbrush and collar, you
know. Pm going to Hartford to-day and
sha'nt be back until tomorrow night"
OH Dick" said Mrs. Dredge, as she
heard her husbands announcement. II
think it is a shame that you go away so
often on business. You know | have to be
left alo g with the baby"
Its only for one night, Maria
But think Of how many burglars there
have been lately about here in Maiden. Only
last week, you remember, they got into the
Hollis house, Can't you get your partner to
60 this timer
mo, can't" said he decsively, wishing
to end all arguments; 81 must go myself"
Being a dutiful wife, she said no more,
but packed the gripsack according to his
wishes, aud soon after kissed him good-by
at the front door.
While Mrs. Dredge was marketing that
morning whom should she meet but Sally
Kneevals, young, unmarried woman, VINO
was about her own age, and with whom both
Mr.. Dredge and she were very well ac-
quaiated.
'Oh Sally she exclaimed. "I'm so glad
to see you of all persons. Richard has gone
for the night and Pm all alone at home.
You must come and sleep with me. Now
promise
Sally consented. Early in the evening the
girls slowed away the baby snugly i'll his
crib in the nursery, and then talked away
the hours till bedtime. Comfortably re-
clining on the couch in the room which was
commonly occupied by Mr.. and Mrs. Dredge,
they were now discussing the advantages
of married life.
IF could live it over again" said Mrs.
Dredge, land had the chance, l know |
should do as | have done. Inever regretted
was married young"
II don't know remarked Miss Kneevals,
"a woman is tied to lots of cares when she
marries. hope to be married some day;
before Pm 30 in fact. But l haven't seen
the man | want yet"
'We women can't afford to be too partic-
ular There are too many OF us do hope
Sally, that some good man will fall in love
with you and propose"
"Oh! it isn't on that account that Pm not
married" quickly responded Sally,
touched where she was sensitive. i've had
offers, as you probably know"
mo, didn't. Do tell me. T'll never say
word about it to a living SOUL"
"Pshawl l wish l hadn't spoken" said
Sally. Il thought of course, Richard had
told you."
''Richard told me! Told me whatp'
''Why, that he offered himself"
To yOup
'Well, declared"
''And Mrs. Dredge, overcome by the in
formation her friend had impaired, re-
laps d into silence. For some minutes
quiet prevailed; the clock licked audibly on
the mantel AT last Miss Kneevals spoke
out of the darkness: "Maria, dear, you
don't thilk any the worse of me-"
ooh! no." replied Mrs. Dredge, gently
squeezing her friends hand.
81,
before your family moved from Maine"
WAS he very much in love" inquired
Maria, in low voice, full of emotion.
HE seemed to be very much indeed, He
said he should die unless | gave my con-
sent"
"Oh" groaned Mrs. Dredge, as she buried
her face in the pillow.
but that was before he'd seen you,n
added Her friend, consolingly,
"What did you say to himp exclaimed
Maria, convulsively, from the pillow,
81 told him liked him very, very much;
but | couldn't bring my mind TO it.
AT that moment cry of distress issued
from the nursery, and with the exclamation
There's the babyl'' Mrs. Dredge swiftly
left the room. She returned shortly to say
that her boy was suffering from collie, and
that, acting as nurse, she would sleep, if
circumstances would permit, on the sofa by
his side She babe her friend goodnight,
and so that she might not be disturbed
closed the nursery door behind her.
Perhaps in nothing more than in business
| do plans so often go awry 1t happened that
Dredge learned on reaching his office that
for the preseut trip to Hartford would be
of no avail. The mail, however, brought in
formation which led him to go to Worcester,
from which city he returned by late train to
Boston, arriving here, because Of detention
on the way, over on hour after schedule
time. There was no help for it; if he got to
Maiden that night it must be by horse car;
and by horse car he went.
The clock on neighboring steeple struck
the holr of one as he carefully closed the
front door after him. With all his care, he
expected to awaken his wife, for she was but
| a light sleeper. He assembled the stairs to
| the upper hall, where a small kerosene lamp,
| standing in niche burned low. He listened
outside the door of his bedroom; he could
| hear the regular breathing of the occupant
| of his bed.
an surprise her," he said in a whisper,
| and proceeded to disrobe himself in the hal,
| hanging his clothes in convenient closet.
| His nightshirt, fortunately, he had in his
| travelling bag, right at hand. Arrayed in
| this, he stepped il the bedroom on tiptoe. 1t
was dark as pitch within. He approached
the bed, and by inches slowly laid back the
sheet and blanket. He crawled in stealthily
and readjusted the coyerlets. Resting on
one arm, he moved the other cautiously
over the pillow until he felt a
stray lock of hair. Feeling thai
his time had come, he vigorously
thrust one arm under the sleeping woman,
and drawing her up to him. gave her a re-
sounding kiss.
A surprise party is conjunction of the
| informed with the unprepared. This was
not surprise party, for both we're taken
unawares. For an instant Dredge thought
| lie was in bed with tiger cat, and then
with a trick mule. His face felt as if he
were ciawed into shreds. He was faint and
! nauseated. He was conscious, however,
that the clothes had all been dragged from
the bed, and that he had seen, by tho dim
light of the hall, a flying figure, white
robed, who uttered appalling shrieks in a
voice Enthusiastically feminine. The dim
figure reached the nursery door, bounded
! in, slammed it to, and turned the key.
Dredge could hear his wife's voice i'll
startled and eager inquiry, and in that Of
| the other person to whom she spoke he
recognized Miss Kneevals.
"Let's shout for help" his wife cried,
| going to the window. Dredge took in the
situation, and instantly appreciated ali the
| unfortunate consequences which must sure
| " follow il this affair was given publicity.
| He would give his right leg rather than ex-
plain TO skeptical word this episode in
which Miss Kneevas and himself were tho
| actors.
''For heavens sake,n he shouted, as he