The morning call., 1892-11-21
IN A TIGHT PLACE.

IN A TIGHT PLACE.
"Are you sure you will be home on Thurs
day?" inquired Mrs. Pewitt. as she helped
her husband on with his overcoat.
What is the Use of repeating that ques-
ton ?" responded Pewett. "Ive already
told you that expect to return on that day
if am alive"
swell. do take care OF yourself" she
said, a little timidly.
'0f course l viii! And pray remember,
Mrs PeYitt, to look well to the house
while / am gone. 1t will be better not TO
60 out at all, as the girl may net be trusted
alone. There, don't choke me with that
muf1er. Good-by?
And kissing his wife, Mr.. Pewitt hurried
of 10 the depot.
AS il happened, he missed the train by
just one minute. and as he would have to
wait two hours fog the next, he concluded
10 stroll about little.
In passing a dry-goods store lie happened
to glance within, and was amazed TO behold
his wife, whom he had left quietly at home.
seated at the counter, looking over some
goods.
He peered through a window where he
could not be seen, and watched her, She
purchased a piece of rich-lookIng goods
brown aud gold-with some fawny-colored
silk to match. and, as she handed over the
money, Mr.. Pewitt left his post and slipped
away out Of sight.
IT'S just as I've always said and be-
lieved," he muttered to himself. "a man
can't ind a woman in whom he can have
perfect confidence. Now. here have been
married only six months. and already my
wife is deeeiving me to my face and
dis0beying me as soon rs my back is
turned. What can she want with that
gaudy dress? And why was she so
anxious TO know exactly when l would re-
turn? She bad some secret plan in view
no doubt Of (which she means to carry
out while | am away. But I'll break it
upW he added, vindictively. "Ill put off
my trip till tomorrow. and take her by
surprise this evening, and find GU. what
she's at"
II was probably Mr.. Pewitts poor opin-
ion Of the sex which had kept him a bach
elor until middle age. But when his health
began to decline and the discomforts of a
boarding house became daily oppressive, he
awoke 10 the necessity OF having a wife VINO
would attend to his wants and keep for him
q comfoTta bic and Weli-OTdeTed home.
After careful search be fixed upon NJ iss
Leila Speers. pleasant looking little
lady, neat, industrious and gocd-humOred !;
and in due time he made an offer Of mar
riage, which was accepted.
Strangely enough, though knowing him
10 be selfish, suspicious and exacting, the
little lady grew fond Of her husband. as is
the way OF some women, simply because he
was her husband.
She did her best to please him, even to
giving up the society Of her most intimate
friends, because Mr.. Pewitt did not ap-
prove Of women gadding about" and
thnnCbf Hhnma tho Qnty niaap fnr than ~
Agreeable TO his resolve Mr.. Pewitt re-
turned home that evening about 8 O'Clock,
and was surprised to ind the house shut up
and dark.
From the Kitchen came sound of sub
dued revelry.
Peering through q crack in the door,
Pewitt discovered Katie doing the honors
Of the fea-table to some half dozen friends.
He would take no notice of this until to-
morrow. at present he desired to find out
about his wife.
"where is Mrs Pewitt?" he demanded
Of the girl. when she appeared in answer to
the bell.
'.sure. sor. it's gone out she is: bnt she'll
be back by tin o'clock she tould me-"
Where has she gone tor"
"Belikes TO prayer-matin', I'm thinkin',
but she niver said where" replied the cum
ming Irish help.
And Pewitt. convinced that there was a
conspiracy between her and her mistress
went upetdlIs 10 His Dt0IODI1s
Here the first thing which caught his
attention was an open note lying upon the
bureau. which he at once proceeded to read.
My Dear Lettfe: Since seeing you this morn
ing Priscilla and have thought that II you will
come IouDd TO our little patty this evening before
the rest arrive we will help cut out your new
eowB. aud run up the seams on the machine. so
that ycu viii De able to finish 1t before Mr.. P's
return.
know that you'll come when tell you that
Eve invi,ed II. T! purposeiy TO meet yen, know
and lie having but one day 10 town. Now don't
dsappoint him and Us. but come early and we
will find you an escort home. Lovingly yours.
LUCILLE.
Mr.. Pewitt turned pale with Indignation.
So his wife had taken advantage of his
absence to 90 to a party (she knew that he
disapproved OF her going to parties) at the
house of those frisky old maids, the Misses
Hatcher; and, furthermore, rs the Tote
shamefully set forth, to meet an old sweet
heart.
No wonder that be felt outraged, or that
he set his had firmly upon his head and
went forth with the full intention of at once
bringing home his deceiying and misguided
wife.
The Hatcbers lived only few blocks
distant in a house standing back from the
quiet street, with garden on one side and
an alley on the other.
The front windows were brightly illu-
mined, as Pewitt could perceive through The
SioocN ohno az tHc Itdis dlsO, Tie Dack-
parior windows appeared lighted. though
the shades were only half drawn.
What would not Pewitt have given for
peep beneath those shades. when perhaps
he might have an opportunity Of seeing how
his wife was employed?
No doubt flirting with that rascally up.
Pr or assuming pensive airs to make the
fellow believe that she regretted her mar
rage and was miserable.
There was side gate opening into the
H. rfrrr h.
cred that 1t was not secured within. All
around was still and dark, and after mo-
ment's hesitation he softly opened the gate,
glided across the yard and cautiously as.
cending the piazza steps peeped through
one of the windows.
The room was full OF women, all busted
In cutting. basting and sewing variety of