The Louisiana populist., 1895-06-07
..ob - ( ,eplied "vou told me To out


rising and stralning for another rear
view of herself in the mirror. 1T was
that lovely wire one that Bessy brought
me from Paris"
Il remember the thing now,' 1 said.
II had trouble in getting it in. Twas
a kind of crescent shaped machine made
of wire; l took it for bird cage or
mouse trap"
She shuddered at the word mouse, but
controlling herself said: ''It is all very
funny now, but the next time you are
away from home and find that your
man has substituted your boating shirt
for your dress-coat, Ii may not be quite
so amusing" We had been married
but six months and trifles were magni~
fed into mountains.
Observing that she really felt hurt,
told her that she looked all right and
assured her that the platform that she
rad succeeded in erecting at the back
Of her waist was broad enough to sup
port a political party. This put her in
better spirits and she became contiden-
tia.
do you know" she said, II was
tempted to utilize the pillow cases?
They would have answered admirably.
But l feared their absence might lead
suspicion to point to the servants. n
few newspapers would have done very
well, but there were none at hand. With
the aid Of n chair l was able to find
an old dusty roll of paper on top Of the
wardrobe. did not unite it; / just made
a little hole at each end, tied shoe
string in each, bent il q little and tied
1t on"
'You certainly are the mother of in
ventlon, if of nothing else" answered,
kissing her as 1 spoke.
About ten days later 7 was sitting at
the breakfast table, in my Boston house,
reading the morning paper. That's
queer" I said. glancing from the paper
to my wife, "Mr. Clayton's will can't
be found. will read what K says:
The will of Mr.. Parkman Clayton.
the millionaire, whose funeral took
place on the 9th inst, cannot be found.
His lawyer. Mr.. Phillips Andrews, says
that he wrote the will at Mr.. Claytons
dictation last December, and that after
signing 1t Mr.. Clayton took possession
OF the paper. A thorough search has
been made, but without success. Sus-
picion points to Austin Clayton, a son
OF the dead man, who, if not disinherit-
ed, was some years previously denied
admission to his fathers house. 1t is
thought the young man may have
gained possession of the document
through the instrumentality of the SER
wants. In the event of its not being
found Austin would be entitled to his
share of the estate. The matter is be-
ing investigated
In this situation the matter rested,
when, several months later, l was dress
ing hurriedly to go to the opera. My
shirt was too stiff to button readily, my
studs were rebellious and all the an
noying things which invariably over
take one when in a hurry fell to my lot.
was provoked, and in my agitation ac-
cidentally jerked out my collar button.
AS usual, it sought refuge beneath the
bureau
/ ran into my wifes room, she was
already dressed and waiting. expecting
to find one, or something that might
answer. But an array of hairpins, but
ton-hooks and manicure implements
alone greeted me. She must have some
thing that will do. thought, as 1 hast
lily opened her bureau drawer.
Heavens, what a sight! Gloves, rib
bons, fans. smelling TASKS, wells an1
numerous other things were engaged in
bitter conflict, each endeavoring to out
do the other. In tumbling these about
In my search came upon an odd look
ing affair. so unique in design and con-
struction as to excite my curiosity 1t
was roll of parchment. or stiff paper,
with shoestring dangling from each
end.
BY George" I exclaimed, mentally.
Here is my wifes patent hustle, the
substitute Of Bessy's Partisan crea-
ton"
As held 1t in my hand 1 glanced in
the opened end and saw that there was
writing within. Hastily tearing it
apart, the missing will of Mr.. Clay
toms, together with a deed for some
property in Vermont. lay before me.
/ was so delighted with the Joke I
had on my wife that gave no further
thought to the opera, nor to my ap-
pearance. In inartistic deshabille l
threw myself upon the bed and laughed
inordinately. In this position 1 was
found by my wife, who, not unnatural
ly, thought me partially demented.
"Are you going to the opera? or do
you find sufficient enjoyment in this
farce?' she asked. pretending to be
vexed.
MY darling" I answered, eff, when
you were in possession of that i'm
mense fortune, or perhaps should say,
when you were so near to it, you had
invested in a few collar buttons you
would not find it necessary now to COM
plain of my tardiness."
Are you hopelessly crazy?" she
asked, stepping back as if in fear.
What do you mean about my fortune? ?"
81 mean," 1 answered, seriously, TAX
ing a different tack, that you are sus-
pected of having stolen Mr.. Clayton's
will. The missing document has been
found in your bureau drawer, and its
appearance indicates that it was con-
cealed about your person when you
left the house where you had been an
honored guest"
Her cleverness came at once to her
assistance. do you mean," she asked,
coming closer and speaking low, that
the roll of paper your carelessness