Middletown transcript., 1894-06-02

they often do.
Mr.. Madax was alone in his cffice in
Old Gold Alley. He wanted time to
think and had given orders that he was
not to be disturbed. All the thinking
he appeared able to do did not seem to
help matters, so at last he pulled him
self together and paced up and down
the room. Finally he stopped and said
to himself: ''That seems to be the only
thing to do. l shall consult with my
wife. l wish she came home more fire.
quently, and then we could talk over
these matters"
lie seized telegraph blank and
wrote: ''Mrs. John Madax, 20 Bullion
Court, City-Can you run over to Old
Gold Alley for few minutes? I wish
to consult you ON business. s.-MADAx.
He rang the bell for telegraph boy
and sent the message, then paced up
and down his room again, waiting
for his wife to appear. Instead, there
came prompt answer, which he tore
open and read feverishly: "Sorry l
can't come this forenoon. Too busy.
Call on me at O'Clock and will take
you to the club, where We can lunch
and have quiet talk.-JOAN MADAX."
The worried man consulted his
watch. 1t was not yet II O'Clock. 1t
would be more than two hours before
he could see his wife. He sat down
at his desk and devoted himself for
these two hours to what business there
was in hand. Then he brushed him.
self up bit, took his walking stick
and drove in a hanson to his wife's
offices in Bullion Court. After having
sent in his name, neat little girl
showed him into a room and told him
that Mrs. Madax would be with him
presently. She was sorry to keep him
waiting, but she sent copy of the
Sketch for him to look over during the
interval. The Sketck was a paper
started in the nineteenth century, and
was at that time considered to le
rather in advance Of other slow-gowing
weeklies. Now, however, it was
thought to be the correct paper for a
man to read, although the women paid
little attention to it. In the reception
room two or three other men were
waiting, nursing their hats, Presently
the office girl came in and told them
all, except Madax, that Mrs. Madax
couldn't possibly see them until later
in The day, as she had an appointment,
and would they be good enough to call
about O'Clock. So the men took their
departure and Madax was left alone
with his paper, although his wife entered
very soon after. She was tall woman
with fine, clear-cut, dscided features.
AS far as the upper part of her was
concerned she was dressed almost like
man. She wore somewhat glaring
necktie and a stand-up collar. Her
brown hair was cut short and parted at
the side, while the hair of her husband
dark and streaked with gray, seemed
to part naturally in the middle. The
neat tailor made skirt which Mrs.
Madax wore had pockets at each side,
high up, and very similar in cut to
mans pockets, and she jingled some
coins and keys as she entered the room
where her husband was waiting.
swell, John," she cried, ''excuse me
for keeping you, but we have had
very busy morning. However, if you
are ready now, am. We will 60 to
to the Pine Ear Club and have lunch"
She approached her husbond as she
spoke and patted him with some affec-
tion on the shoulder. He looked up at
her. and smiled. Somehow her in
fuence had soothing, protective air
about it, which made the man feel he
was not battling with the the world
alone. One of the numerous girl
clerks came in with long ulster,
which Mrs. Madax put on, thrusting
one hand in the armhole, and then the
other, while the girl held the garment
by the collar. When Mrs. Madax had
butto ned up the ulster and put a jaunty
round hard hat on her head, she looked
more like man than ever, and Madax
himself seemed almost effeminate be-
side her.
"Is my brougham at the door," she
asked the girl.
Eyes, madam"
"Come along, John, we have no
time to loose" said Mrs. Madax, de-
cidedly, and leading the way she opened
the carriage door, whereupon he step
ped inside. :.
ITO the Pine Ear Club said the
lady to the coachman.
She took her seat beside her husband
and the carriage drove off toward the
West End, In short time it drew up
before a palatial building standing
where the Hotel Metropole once stood.
This, as every one knows is the sump-
tuous resort Of women engaged in busi-
ness in the city. 1t is higher-priced
than the Carlton or Reform, but is
much more luxurious than either of
these old fashioned men clubs.
"Call for me at half-past three, -" said
the lady.
The stately doors Of the club were
opened by two girl porters and the cou-
ple entered. The lady wrote her hus-
bands name in a book which was on
stand in the hall, and together they en-
tered the large dining room, where they
took their places at one Of the large
front windows.
1--WE will take the reg liar club
lunch,n y she said to one of the walters.
"And bring bottle of 'S4 champagne