Griggs courier., 1888-09-07

"NEWAtk, N. j., April 1o.-Dear Wheateigh:
am coming over to New York on Thursday
with my wife and her sister--you remember
Ethel, of course. We want to go somewhere in
| the evening and would be delighted to have you
| join us at the Hoffman House at six for dinner,
| and make partie carree. hear the operetta
| OF Madame Roquette is very good; may COM
| mission you to secure four places for our party
and don't fail to meet US! My wife wishes to
be remembered. Yours truly, f. H. WILSON,"
"Confound it," he muttered, 81 don't like
it; wish hadn't been in such hurry to
accept his invitation.'
| He remembered Miss Ethel very we'll; a
handsome girl she was, too, but not hand
somer than her sister, Mrs. Wilson. '.Of
course they couldn't have asked Nettie;
they don't know her. I'm hanged, though,
if think it's the thing to invite married
man without his WIFE, l wish I'd told heri
However, am in for it now, suppose"
He left the train and went to theatre
where great artist was playing Shaks-
perean dramas, and bought two places for
''Cymbeline" Then he went on to his
Office. All morning, however, he was alb
sent-mindcd and low-spirited; he let several
good opportunities on the exchange pass
unnoticed. About noon he made sudden
resolution. 81 shan't dine with them at any
rate; I'll go home and take dinner with
Nettic; I'll compromise on that" He sat
/ down an I wrote:
DEAR WILSON: am very sorry, but find
| it impossible to get away in time to take dinner
| with you this evening. shall join you at the
theater, though. and therefore enclose the three
tickets for yourself and ladies, to whom please
| make my compliments and regrets at being
| obliged to forgo part OF the pleasure Of the
| evening. Faithfully, WHEArLEIGH."
| Comic opera was a form of entertainment
which John Wheatland oathed. Yet here he
had consigned himself to enduring three
hours Of jinglng music and prancing wom-
en-, while refusing to go with his wife to
witness a noble play.
He put the three tickets into the envelope
with his note and sealed it, thinking to him
self meanwhilc: 81 wish there was some
way out of the whole business-I might say
! was ill-poor little Nettie! Madame Rou-
quettc,' indeed! Pshaw!'
Then he called a messenger. dispatched his
letter, and in so doing laid the train to a
pretty mine, which by evening might ex-
plode with a formidable result.
You will probably guess what John
Wheatleigh did in his absent minded,
self-leproachful state of mind. so there need
be no secret about it. He was reckoned one
of the shrewdest and lieenest-witted men on
the cotton exchange, yet he did now what
shrewd and keen Witted men sometimes do
-cOiLllllltcu an gorgeous DlunuGr.
He had in his pocket six theater tickets
All were red, and of the same general ap-
pearance. He inclosel the two tickets he
had bought for his Wife. and one opcretta
ticket in the note to his friend Wilson, and
thus the three tickets he retained, one for
himself and two for Nettie, were all for
MADAME Rouquette.'
When he came home to dinner Nettie met
him with a smile. Gould you get the tick
cts John, dear! o, Pm so glad! Cynthia
will 60 How I wish, though, it was you!''
'Indecd, l wish it was, Nettic. would
break this engagement to night if | could
but Wilson is an old friend and would not
like to offend hm.'
"And wouldn't like TO have you either,
dear. [ was cross this morning, wasn't |
was sorry forit though afterward. Please
forgive me, John, dear--you are always
good to mc'' and she put her arms around
his neck and kissed him. AREN'T you we'll,
John: You look pale"
Eyes, quite we'll, Ncttie; little head
ache that is all.'
Mrs. Wheatlcigh was not quite dressed
when her husband came to bid her good bye.
"Tll try to be back as soon as YOU are, Net
tie," he said, as he kissed her. He. was on
tho stair when his wife called to him
'John, you haven't given me the tickets i
don't come back: I'll run down to you''
He fumbled hastily i'll his pocket and
drew out the three tickets. s'Aladame
Roquette-that's mine"-hc heard Nettic on
the StalrS-thcSe other two are herS-don't
come down, dear; there they are"
You foolish boy" said Nettie, syou are
sure you are quite well, johns! There-good
night"
Cynthia was not quite ready when the
cab stopped at her door. Her toilet was a
matter requiring great preparation; pres.
entity. though. She came running out.
Chow are you. dear Nettie $50 good of
YOU to think of me so often! Isn't Mi
Wheatlegh going: just we two! How
nice! What is 'Cynbcline' Nettie!
Shakespeare, isn't it, don't think ever
read it's it a tragedya How nicc!''
'No, Mr.. Wheatleigh couldn't go tonight ~
explained Nettie, che had an important en-.
gagemcnt with a business friend at the
club
Cynthia ratified on telling Nettie of all her
comings, and goings since their last meeting
until they reached the theater. They en-.
tered the house and Ncttie handed her
tickets to the man at the gate
"You're in the wrong place, ladies.'' said
he; 'these tickets don't belong here''
''Dear me- said Nette, "where are wei
! Dlu tnG caDIllan make a mistake! Aren't
: YOU playing 'Cymbeline' ~
"Yes ma'am, but these tickets are 70,
Madame Roquette,' at an uptown house
The address is on Your tickets-please ster
aside a moment, ladies'"
so, how provolling,' said Nettie "How
could John have made a mistake He knew
it was 'Cymbeine' | wanted to see-we
talked of it quite awhile
Perhaps they will exchange them at the
boX-otce" suggested Cynthia.
80, no, they Won't do that" replied Net
tic, taking out her purse: I'VE must buy
new tickets. Dear me. have only enough
here to pay the cabman! Have YOU any
money. Cynthia4"
Cynthia humbly acknowledged to not
having penny.
"Wel, there is nothing to Go, then, but tc
drive home" said Ncttie. 20, am so dis
appointed" They found q cab and were
rolling up-tawn when Cynthia said met
tic. SO long as we have the tickets. WHY
shouldn't we go to see Madame Roouette /.
J. hear it is splendid. Floria de Brassi sings
i'll it, you know. Ii we don't like it we can
come away in little while.'