Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-07
AN IMITATION WIFE.

nat and was preparing to leave when
the door slowly opened and my mother
came in.
Going out, are you Tom?' said she.
Yes"
"Where--to another party?"
Eyes"
THAT makes three this week, doesn't
it, Tom?'
"Yes. We're hurrying to get through.
Going to take Miss Beaufort tonight,
and then I'm done with the Jolly clubs
parties.
Mother somehow or other didn't seem
to think very much of what / said.
tom, | wish you would get married"
she said, with troubled face 81 be-
lieve you would stay at home more"
"Well, am awful tired, mother, and
completely worn out"
"Then why don't you quit it,"
"The best reason i'll the world, mother.
| am neither engaged nor in love, but
am willing to be both"
1t was getting late SO I started after
this, but the sad look on my mothers
face set me to thinking. My mother is
the best woman in the world, even if l
do say it myself, and / felt worried
about her. She was right | was out
nearly every evening this evening at a
reception, next time at a ball, then a
theater party and SO on.
Of course could we'll afford it, for
my salary as cashier at Hart's was lib
eral one. But was not saving penny,
and my home folks never saw me except
at the table. Even poor old patient
mother was complaining.
But was having lots of fun. There
was that Beaufort girl-she was a fine
,one. Could dance any dance, talk about
anything and make you have the finest
time in the world.
Then there was Vene Wright. She
would play a game with fellow, go
rowing, skating anything for fun.
Then, Vene had money; that was an i'm
portant item. Why shouldn't | tackle
Miss Vene on the subject of matrimony?
Thomas, old son." said l to myself,
"Vene is the one.''
But Vene somehow or other did not
exactly suit the case, and my mind re-
verted to Miss Beaufort, who was smart,
pretty, stylish and suited better, but l
knew nothing about her financial stand
ing. This was an important matter to
mo in those days.
Meanwhile the carriage approached
Miss Beaufort's. had never been there
before, and to my surprise found it to
be a very unpretentious house. con-
fess was disappointed. / expected to
drive up to an elegant mansion, be ush-
cred into a fine reception room by a
servant in livery and there await the
coming of Miss Beaufort. Then | ex-
pected to make bold dash for her heart
propose, and possibly be accepted or
declined by the time the party was over.
But not so. A little lady with gray
hair opened the door, and she was intro
duced to me by Miss Beaufort as ''mam-
ma" Miss Beaufort was ready and
waiting, SO we walked out to the car
riage.
"Mr. Silver" said she after we had
seated ourselves, "don't you think there
is great amount of snobbery in society
and lots of downright foolishness?'
"Well, yes," said l.
For instance said she, ':here is an
elegant carriage that you have brought
for me. and yet the party is not half a
mile away"
This certainly was very refreshing. l
had actually squandered one pound to
have this carriage for the evening, and
she was not pleased with it. I know
lVene would have enjoyed ride in it.
'sMr. Silver" she remarked again,
''this is the last party I am going to this
winter e5StH E
"Well, whyY' said l. "Aren't you go
ing to take in the German club ball and
the others? dt
+, NO" said she. Mamma hasn't the
money; she can't afford it. Besides, Mr..
Silver" she continued, "can you really
afford to spend SO much money on So
ciety?'' as
Hooked at her. There was honesty
fairly shining out of her pretty black
eyes, even if she wasn't very polite, SO |
answered her honestly: aiW
mo, Miss Beaufort, l cannotl l
haven't saved penny this winter, and
get a big salary too. 1t seems idiotic. "
81 have met you SO frequently feel
quite well acquainted with you, though
] expect have been little impolite."
"No," said /. 81 am glad that you
take that much interest in me-"
Then we changed the subject 1 had
splendid time at the party and enjoyed
Miss Beaufort's company very much.
found her level headed and bright, il
she was too frank.
The next day told mother about it.
She said she admired Miss Beaufort for
her common sense, though she had never
seen her. Then she referred again to
my getting married.
Suppose" said she, ''that you pretend
for week or. SO that you are married
and see how it goes?'
IAN imitation wife," said l..
s'Why not?" she said. "I will write
the name Of a young lady on a card, seal
it in an envelope and you can lock it in
your desk. Then let us suppose you are
married to her for say two weeks. Dur
ing that time want you act just as il
the lady were here in person and your
lawfully welded wife"
'sWhose name are you going to write
on the cardr' said /.
"Never mind" said she. II will write
my preference and neither of us will
Oreath6 q word ahOrlt this In a living