Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-22

declined by the time the party was over.
But not 80. A little lady with gray
hair opened the door, and she was intro
duced 10 me by Miss Beaufortas IMAM
ma" Miss Beaufort was ready and
waiting, so we walked out 10 the car
rage.
"Mr. Silver" said she after we had
seated ourselves, don't you think there
IL great amount OF snobbery in society
and lots Of downright foolishnessS''
"Well, yes" said i.
For instance" said she, "here Is an
elegant carriage that You have brought
for me, and yet the party Is not half .
mile away"
This certainly was very refreshing.
had actually squandered one pound to
have this carriage for the evening, and
she was not pleased with it, know
vene would have enjoyed a ride in it.
"Mr. Silver" she remarked again,
this is tho last party ] am going TO this
winter"
"Well, whyY' said /. aren't you go
ing 10 take in the German club ball and
the others
mo-" said she. Mamma hasn't the
money; she can't afford II. Besides, Mr..
Silver" she continued, "can you really
afford TO spend 80 much money on 90
ciety2"
looked at her. There was honesty
fairly shining out Of her pretty black
eyes. even II she wasn't very polite, 30 ]
answered her honestly:
mo, Miss Beaufort, cannot! I
haven't saved psnny this winter, and
get big salary too. II seems idiotic."
81 have met you 30 frequently feel
quite well acquainted with you, though
expect have been little impolite."
mo-" said !. II am glad that you
take that much interest in me-"
Then we changed the subject. I had
a splendid time at the party and enjoyed
Miss Beaufort's company very much. l
found her level headed and bright, il
she was too frank.
The next day told mother about IL.
She said she admired Miss Beaufort for
her common sense, though she had never
seen her. Then she referred again to
my getting Earried.
Suppose, said she, ''that You pretend
for a week or so that you are married
and seekhow IL goes9'
"An imitation wife," said /.
why not?" she said. II will write
the name Of a young lady on card, seal
it in an envelope and you can lock it in
your desk. Then let us suppose you are
married " her for say two weeks. Dur
ing that time want you act just as IL
the l"'Hy were here In person and your
lawfully welded wife"
Whose name are you going to write
on the csrdT said /.
Never mind" said she. II will write
NV preference and neither OF MS win
breathe . word about TINS to living
soul
We agreed on this. Mother wrote
the name on the card and sealed IL in
the envelope. knew II was Vene
Wright's name, 80 decided to imagine
that vene was there in person, and 30
we commenced the week.
Monday night came That was the
night of the German club ball; but !
staid at homo and talked 10 mother.
Then played drafts with her for
awhile, and we managed to have very
enjoyable evening.
Next morning mother met me at the
table with smiles and about the BEST
breakfast / had eaten for long while.
"You must imagine that your wife
saw TO this breakfast" she whispered.
Going to the city this morning who
should get into the bus but Miss Beau
fort. bowed TO her gracefully, passed
her fare TO the conductor, and was about
to sit down by her side when hap
pened to think Of my imitation wife
at home and kept my seat by the door.
Married men have no business talk
ing to the young ladies'" said / to my
self.
Miss Beaufort looked at me rather
queerly, but said nothing, and thought
the bus would never get to the city.
Thursday was the evening I was to
call on Vene, and ! forgot to send her
an excuse. On Friday q note came
from her, which mother took the liberty
Of opening, as she thought would not
care, and she felt like representing my
wife in the desk. II was Q tender mis-
sive, and somewhat surprised me when
saw 1t. But what could / do? Mar
ried men have no business getting ten
der notes from young ladies. 1nasmuch
as l had contracted to carry out
mothers plan for two weeks, left the
note for mother TO answer. She is
very truthful woman, but In answering
the note she prevaricated.
She said that was very sick, and as a
natural consequence vene called that
afternoon to see me, but was at busi-
ness, and mother had 10 invent another
story. Then she had to come all the
way TO the Office so as to keep me from
coming home my usual way for fear
Vene might catch US.
laughed good deal at mother, and
vene did not find us ont, but Mrs. Jones
an awful gossip-met her, and vene
told her was sick, and the next day all
my society friends came round, among
them Miss Beaufort
Mother met her rather coldly, but in
vited her TO stay awhile.
81 suppose Mr.. Silver Is almost worn
out with so much going out" said the
young lady.
"He is much better" said mother,
"but | do not think he will 20 ont for
several weeks. think that shall keep
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