The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1892-11-18
A TRANSFER TICKET.

as vas also TOinette, the bonnie, who had
looked in three times already to ar
nounce that the dinner would be done to
q chip.
What in the world had happened to
him? Some accident of course, for, ac-
customed to leave the Office at an estab-
lished hour. Phillipe's arrival could
usually be fOretold to the minute. Real
ly it was frightful! PHILIPPE had surely
been run over! That Montmartre cross
ing doubtless! He was SO reckless al
ways, with IN absolute mania for cross
ing a street when it was filled with a
pack of vehicles! Hank! no. a key CRATES
in the lock!
'Toinette! monsieur comes; quick.
bring in dinner!"
The door opened; Marjeval entered;
his wife flew to him.
''There was an accident then, PHILIPPE?
You are hurt, crushed at last! knew
it; l told you so! 1t doesn't astonish me
the least in the world!
"Hurt? Crushed? What the deuce.
Jeanette, are you talking about? How
could | be crushed, I'd like to know
"But-such a late return
"Oh, l see; but come, let us have din
ner; I'm dying of hunger. I'll tell you
about it at table"
"As you please. but everything's dried
up now. Nomatter, though, since you've
no bones broken"
And while his wife placed the screen.
turned up the gas and ran her eye over
the silver to see that nothing was lack
ing. Marjeval drew off his topcoat and
mopped his brow-for he had clearly
been on the run to reach home.
Unfortunately, as he drew out his
handkerchief he pulled out with it an
omnibus transfer ticket. which fell Oh
the floor unseen.
The edge of his hunger blunted, and
while attacking the remains of a pate de
foie gras PHILIPPE became communica-
tive, and told his wife that passing the
bourse coming home some one had
clapped him on the shoulder, and that
some one" was no other han Proudine.
Madame tiptilted her nose with an air
that said plainly:
and who, pray, is Proudine?:
''Proudine, you know" continued
her husband, whom I've told you of a
thousand times, and whom | met at
Vincennes. A regular character, that
fellow-a journalist, practical joker and
out and out Bohemian! It's five years
since l saw him; judge then Of my
amazement and pleasure, for Proudine
and l were always great chums. Brief
ly, we entered Beron's to take an alb
sinthe together; Proudine was joking
and talking and time passed before l
knew it."
And dinner finished Marjeval got up,
whistling cheerfully, and passed to his
room to don his slippers and smoking
jacket.
Meanwhile his wife assisted Toinette
to clear the table; they sat in the salle-a-
manager instead of the salon-because it
was warmer and made it necessary to
keep but one fire going. In STOPPING to
pick up a napkin, she suddenly per-
ceived the transfer" on the carpet, and
mentally asked herself, "How did that
scrap of pasteboard come there?" add
ing, naturally enough, "Phillipe dropped
it of course"
Marjeval just then returned with the
last new novel.
"You walked home, l think you told
me, PHILIPPE, did you mott" Jeanette
asked carelessly, as he came in. Cor
did you take an omnibus?"
mo, l walked, as l said"
You are sure you walked? Think
WE'LL"
Certainly, I'm sure; and whatshould
| think about? The Office is only some
twenty minutes from here!"
You are positive then, PHILIPPE, you
did not
.'See here, Jeanette, this is a bore!
Why should l say I'd walked if I'd
taken a bus? And why do you ask this:'
"Why? Oh, only to know whether
you are fatigued."
What an idear
And Marjeval installed himself in an
easy chair by the fire, book on his knee
and paper knife in hand, while jean
nette took her seat opposite. Nine.
Marjeval, however, closely watching
him, was mentally discoursing with her
self.
"There's something under all this"
thought she. 81 haven't been out of the
house today; no more has Toinette.
This transfer couldn't have got here
alone, therefore my husband brought it.
He has taken an omnibus today and did
not wish me to know it; therefore he
has been in some place that he seeks to
conceal from me. His delay at dinner,
too-ah-h! l begin to see-that tale of
an old friend at the cafe was pure inven-
ton. PHILIPPE is deceiving me, and l
am determined to know why"
And rising quietly she thrust the
famous ticket behind a candelabra on
the mantelpiece, PHILIPPE, absorbed in
ais book, seeing nothing.
81 am going for my work" said she,
and left the room.
Five minutes passed and PHILIPPE, still
reading, took long pulls at his pipe.