The sea coast echo., 1896-04-25

ut each other and smilCd, while Tom
Wisdom threw down his paper with a
loud sigh
"I should say we hnti," cried he.
Don't our wives eii belong to III"
MRS. Biucstocking has joined it,
too said John.
IL concluded So" answered His
friend, glancing -iEnincaptly at the
loose buttons on Johns coat, and pull
Ing down his own sleeve to hide q
frayed cuff.
"She writes papers from morning tin
, night, and never has moments time
to talk to fellow. or to--to--sew eA
his buttons" cried John, growing rcd
III the face, "SBw, / say something
bn'ist be DONE
"Therc must" cried the others in
chorus.
"And | have an idea" continued
John.
"Air it," cried the chorus.
'llypnotism," said John, slowly.
The meu stared.
"You've all rrnA 'ifrilby, Of
course" said John, impatiently. "Now
Svenyali hypnotzed Triiby aud ipade
her sing, and propose 10 hypnotic
Catherine ard make her sew"
A Burst Of laughter greeted this an
rounccmeut; but after little discus
sion the four gentlemen shook hands
and departed to their several homes,
intent on trying the experiment.
fTI,n af,I ntk no, n1,,n
stocking bent over her desk, her hus-
band walked softly into the room. plac-
ing n pile of buttonless shirts, and
stockings with airy heels nnd open
worked toes, on n stand, together with
his wifc's work basket, he moved it close
beside the desk. Fixing his eyes on her
face with an intent gaze, he began
making silent pssses before her with
his hhnds, mud presently she looked up
what is the matter, John? Are you
lie" said she, meeting his stern eyes
with n surprised look.
John made no answer, but still glared
at her, and waved his hands wildly.
"lIow ridiculously you are behaving,
John! What do you meant" cried Cath
erine, pushing back her chair and turn.
ing around. As she did sd, her eyes fell
on the workstand with It's pile of mend
ing, and quick as n flash-the situation
dawhcd upon her.
Sitting a desire to laugh which nearly
stranglcd her, she dropped her lids over
her eyes, and leaned back in her chair
with II long sigh. Slowly and mechani.
cally she reached ont her hand to the
workbasket, and, picking up the little
gold thimble, placed it upon her ink.
stained finger; aud Johns heart began
to beat fast at the success of his expe-
riment.
a long silence fell upon them, while
Catherine fastened buttons to their re-
spective places, and swiftly filed up
| holes with dainty weaving; while John
sat bolt upright in his chair, not daring
to move his eyes from her face, lest the
spell be broken.
At the next meeting of the Ideal club
it was noticed by the other members
that Catherine Bluestoeking, Mary Wis
dom and Dorothy Very bright each oc-
cupicd their hands with sewing of do.
mestlc nature during the exercises;
and for once Mrs. Bluestocking failed
to have her paper ready at the appointed
time.
"Is marriage a failurc?" was the sub
ject of said paper; and those members
who still enjoyed single blesscdness
were anNiously looking forward to It,
| hoping it might be Il guide to future
| action.
The Blustockings were at supper one
evening shortly after this, when John
noticed that his wife was arraycd in u
dainty silk gown of stylish cut and re-
| cent make.
"Why so gorgeous, dear?' asked he,
| smilingly. What is the occasion of the
new gown"
1.-The Ideal club is to have social
this evening from eight to twelve, at
Mrs. Fondmother's," said Catherine,
complacently. Johns face fell visibly.
Anyone going beside the club?"
asked he.
Certainly not" answered his wife,
quickly. 1T is exclusively club affair.
gotten up for little sociability among
ourselves, and to discuss u certain oues.
tion that has been agituting the club for
some time"
"What is the question:" asked John.
inquisitively.
Catherine nibbled thoughtfully at n
biscuit moment before answering.
rs man necessary to woman's happi-
ness?" said she, slowly. The color flew
into Johns face, and his eyes twinklcd
mischievously.
"0f course you are for the affirma-
tive" said he, softly.
"Not necessarily" answered Cath
crime, coolly, though she avoided her
| husbands eyes rs she spoke.
With something of talc feeling of hav-
ing received a cold shower bath, John
finished his supper in silence; and u
little later, the two who had been made
one went their separate ways,
The elegant pariors at Mrs. Fond
mothers were brilliant with gaslirht
and fragrant with the scent of flowers.
| The Ideal club was there to woman.
| and bright faces and pretty gowns
were grouped about the rooms like gor-
geous bouquets. Swiftly few the nim-
bile tongues as the momentous ques-
tions of the day were handled and dis
cussed with startling freedom. Oddly
enough, however, the principal topic
to be dissected was touched upon but
| lightly, and Mrs. Bluestocking, who
seldom failed to air her ideas on all sub
jects, was strangely silent.
Meanwhile, in the smoking-room OF