Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-07-07

Now this interesting little agreement was
entered into and kept profound secret
from their better halves.
The night they intended to be absent II
was very easy to plead "btsiness" for an
excuse and the "lodge" when all else
failed.
To Bostonian, the name Of "Taft's
Summer Hotel" is familiar one. 1t is
situated on the extreme point Of that
charming and beautiful summer resort
known as Point Shirley"
And it is a well known fact that Tafts
dinners are all that can be desired; in
fact, quite recherche"
As l remarked before, the little scheme
worked well. Once week they met, went
in carriages to Taft's, dined like princes Of
the royal blood, and returned to the bos-
oms of their respective families, said fam
lilies remaining in blissful ignorance of
what was going on.
But murder will out, ;" as the old saying
is, and by an unforeseen circumstance
their cherished secret was discovered.
Perhaps it never would have happened
if John Melford had not been unfortunate
and lost button from his overcoat; giving
it to his wife, he said: Sew this on as
quickly as you can, my dear, for am in a
hurry this morning"
and like all good, obedient wives, hurried
up stairs In search of thimble and thread;
throwing the coat over the back of chair,
she soon had needle threaded and the
button securely fastened In place, and in
less than five minutes her husband was
ready to start for his office.
Il shall be late tonight, Kate. Lodge
night, you know" he said, i'll tone of
voice meant to convey the impression that
he had much rather remain at home.
why, John. this is Wednesday.
thought the lodge always met on Thursday
night, said his wife anxiously.
Yes but this is a special meeting to-
night, my dear. 1 shall be home TO- morrow
night"
Somewhat comforted with the assurance
that he would be at home the next night,
Kate Melford returned her husbands
good-by kiss, and watched him out of
sight with an expression in her bright
black eyes that told, more plainly thai
words could have done, how dear he was
to her.
Returning upstairs to their cosy little
sltting-room, she noticed, lying on the
bright Wilton carpet, n card.
THAT must have fallen out of John q
pocket" she said, as she picked it up.
1t bore the name of their next dool
neighbor, Fred Trenton, and sciibbled on
the back, in pencil, these words:
"FRIEND MELFORD: Raymond and
Whitney go to New York tomorrow
on business, to be gone several days.
Moore and Goodman are here at my
office, now, and they suggest we have our
usual Thursday night dinner at Taft's to-
hight, SO that we may all be present.
Yours, F.. TRENTON.
Mrs. Melford read it through with flushed
cheeks and sparkling eyes.
Usual Thursday night dinner at Taft's.
she repeated. swell. this is surprise. !
must see Grace at once" And i'll less
time than it takes me to write it she had
entered Fred Trenton's home and was in
deep consultation with his wife.
Early that evening q party of six ladies
might have b. en- seen entering Taft's. Al
their request they were conducted to a
private parlor, and one of the ladies, whom
we recognize as Mrs. Melford. said to the
proprietor:
My name is Mrs. John Melford. These
ladies with me are Mrs. Trenton, Mrs.
Moore, Mrs. Goodman, Mrs. Whitney, and
Mrs. Raymond. We know that our hus-
bands are expected to take dinner here to-
night, and we wish 10 give them a pleasant
! little surprise. Do not tell them we ate
here, but arrange table for us in this room
if possible, and whatever is ordered by oui
husbands serve the same to u.s."
The proprietor, fully approaching the
richness of tho joke. readily promised to dc
as they requested.
Half an hour later two carriages drove
up to the hotel. and the ladies. eagerly
watching through the closed blinds, caught
glimpse of their respective husbands
who were supposed to be "hard at work
or lat the lodge~ as they entered the
hotel.
| A short time after their arrival dinner
was served. Everything ordered by the