The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-10
A DEBT DANCED OFF.

oival's friends was that he might have
done good deal better for himself than
he did in his matrimonial venture.
An NJ. ?. with a safe seat and decided
abilities, young, good looking, well con-
nected, but having only limited income,
he was just the man who should have mar
RED money, and this is exactly what he
had not done.
He met his wife in Paris during holt
day trip. She was pretty, yivaeious Irish
woman, ladylike and attractive, but she
had no fortune and was of no particular
family.
There could be no doubt that under the
circumstances his marriage was an i'm
prudent one With his 81, 600 year Per
civaI had subsisted comfortably enough as
a bachelor, but as a married NJ. P he
found that his income went simply no way
at all
The natural consequence followed Per
cival got into debt.
He already owed nearly IS, 600, crush
ing liability to a man with small income
and no capital Indeed he did not at
tempt to disguise from himself that unless
something very unexpected turned up he
must soon be hopelessly insolvent.
The house was in committee on a bill
which was being fought tooth and nail by
the opposition, and urgent whips had been
issued to the members Of both parties to
be as frequently as possible in their places.
But there were many dr6ary intervals of
debate, when no big division was immi-
nent.
In his worried state of mind the dull
ness of a domestic evening or the yet
deadlier boredom of a political converse
zione was uninviting
Within q mile of the palace of Westmin-
ster there is, as all the world knows, IA
nous theater of varieties. One evening
during particularly drowsy debate fell
low NJ. P. had suggested to Percival that
they should run across to the x and see
the rainbow danseuse.
After that night he went to see her pref
ty regularly.
just before the dance the stage was dark
ened; behind doomed a background of
muFky clouds, gloomy as the sky before an
impending thunderstorm; then a brilliant
blaze of sunlight burst upon the Swallowed
scene, and whirling wildly in it's dazzling
rays appeared the famous rainbow dan
seuse.
If it had ended with his merely admir-
ing this ravishing beauty from distance
all might have been well. But such in
fatUation as Percivals was not satisfied to
confne itself within those modest limits.
He actually addressed one or two letters
to the young lady. To his great chagrin
she sent him no reply. At last in despera-
ton he procured an introduction to the
manager of the X and besought that gen
tleman's aid in his foolish and culpable
project
well, Mr.. Percival, will communicate
your wishes to the young lady, and will
then let you know her reply
The following night when he ought to
have been in his place in the house, listen
&2g to the ministerial leaders statements,
he was lowering near the stage door of
the X
Percival had cab waiting for him at
the corner. He noticed another cab drawn
up opposite the stage door.
In few minutes he saw the girl hurry
out and get into her cab. Then he jumped
into his own, having instructed the driver
to follow the other vehicle and keep it
carefully in sight.
When they had driven about mile, his
cab stopped. The NJ. P. got out. He saw
the young lady alightipg from her cab
about a hundred yards away. With a beat /
ing heart and trembling steps he followed |
her.
Percival realized with certain thrill of
uneasiness that it was p street, the |
street in which his own house was situated /
But something worse was in store. The |
young lady stopped and appeared to be care
fully sorRtinizing the numbers. Then, |
after some evident hesitation, she walked |
straight up to the door of PeroivaI's house |
and rang the bell A minute later she was |
admitted.
All at once the truth flashed upon the |
unhappy M P. There could, of course, |
be no doubt upon the subject. This young |
lady, annoyed and frightened by his per- |
sistent attentions, and seeing that silent |
disdain had no effect in stopping them, |
had taken the ready and effective method /
of reporting him to his wife
He entered the drawing room. His wife |
was now alone. She looked ap at him |
with a cold, altered expression that made |
TEfT0a FV7t he Ia told
her all. She aEerted her face and heard |
his confession to the end in oninous 81 |
lence.
And 50, Jim, my. make up, my golden |
wig and my WhirliDg dFaPeries-to say /
nothing of the shifting lights and shadows |
thrown upon me-bafT1ed even your pene- |
tration. Eh, sir?''
Jim was staring at his pretty wife, who |
had now risen and stood before him smiling |
arehly, in evident enjoyment of his Obvi- |
Gus relief and establishments.
'iAnd you fell in love with my make up /
for that is what it comes to, doesn't it,
JimP''
"By Jover' he exclaimed with empha-
sis, "that explains it. 1t was your eyes
that did it, little girl They drew me to
the theater night after night to worship |
you. could not resist the spell. I could /
not explain it to myself. To think 1 never
guessed By Jove 1 was duffer.
eyes were to be found In all England
Or in all America either?'' questioned
the rainbow danseuse playfully.
But, say asked Jim, an idea strik-
ing him, Hthese social functions which
you have been attending so assidiously for
the past few months-have they been sim
pie blinds to dupe your unsuspicious hus-
band-Oh, Jennie9''
Not at all, sir. I went to them all.
But as my turn at the theater lasted only |
ten minutes or so, was able to go there as
we'll Besides, - she added with the slight
est tinge of playful reproach in her tone,