The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-02-29
matters" ansnsred h;s.wife..

ElSnI OF stairs, out into the street. An
odd smile crept around Johns mouth
as he turned back TO his desk, and, dip
ping his stub-pen into his ink-well,
ne hastily finished his weekly article
for the Globe.
The weeks sped by, and Catherine
Bluestocking's interest and enthusi-
asm in the Ideal club remained I'M
abated. She was unfailing in attend
ance, and devoted to the preparation
of the papers she was called upon to
write. She haunted the public libraries
in search of knowledge, and spent hours
poring over musty books of reference.
Day by day, and night after night, she
bent over her desk piled with papers,
and scrubbed to her hearts content:
while John sat by, smoking his solitary
pipe.
Occasionally, when Catherine had
become so absorbed in her writing as
TO be utterly oblivious of his presence,
John would slip away to the Hob-Nob,
and w~hiie-away an hour with his
friends at i game of whist.
Despite this diversion, however,
Johns spirits were steadily failing him,
and one night he walked into the Hob
Mob clubhouse in quite a savage mood.
\ half-dozen or more gentlemen were
iounging about the room when he Ell
tered. and walking up TO them he said.
as he twirled a button of his coat that
was hanging by one thread: "Boys,
have you ever heard OF the Ideal club?"
Jim Solid and Sam Verybriglrt looked
at each other and smiled, while Tom
Wisdom threw down his paper with j
loud sigh.
Il should say we had" cried he.
Don't our wives all belong TO it,"
Mrs. Bluestocking has joined it.
too" said John.
Il concluded So" answered his
friend. giancing significantly at the
loose buttons on Johns coat, and pull
ing down his W sleeve to hide a
frayed cuff.
"She writes papers from morning till
night, and never has a moments time
TO talk to a fellow, or to-to-sew on
his buttons" cried John, growing red
in the face. "Now, l say something
must be done"
There must" cried the others in
chorus.
And 1 nave an idea" continued
John.
Air it," cried the chorus.
''Hypnotism," said john, slowly.
The men stared.
"You've all read 'Trilby,' of
course" said John. impatiently. Now
Svengali hypnotized Trilby and made
luer sing, and l propose 10 hypnotic
Catherine and make her sew"
\ burst of laughter greeted this IN
rouncement: but after a little discus
sion TIE four gentlemen shook hands
and departed to their several homes,
intent on trying the experiment.
The next evening. as Catherine Blue
stocking bent over her desk. her hus-
band walked softly into the room. Plac-
ing Il pile of buttOnless shirts, and
stockings with airy heels and open
worked toes, on a stand, together with
his wife's workbasket. he moved it close
beside the desk. Fixing his eyes on her
face with III intent gaze, he began
making silent passes before her with
his hands, and presently she looked up
what is the matter. John? Are you
ill.," said she, meeting his stern eyes
with a surprised look.
John made no answer. but still glared
at her. and waved his hands wildly.
How ridiculously you are behaving.
John! What do you mean?' cried Cath
erIne, pushing back her chair and turn
ing around. As she did so, her eyes fell
on the workstand with its pile of mend
ing. and quick as n flash the situation
dawned upon her.
Sitting a desire to laugh which nearly
strangled her, she dropped her lids over
her eyes. and leaned back in her chair
with IL long sigh. Slowly and mechani-
cally she reached out her hand - the
workbasket. and. picking up the little
gold thimble, placed it upon her ink
stained finger; and Johns heart began
To beat fast at the success OF his cNpe-
riment.
\ long silence fell upon them. while
Catherine fastened buttons Il their re
spectire places, and swiftly filled NJ
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.
vt the next meeting of the Ideal club
it was noticed by the other members
that Catherine Bluestocking. Mary Wis
dom and Dorothy Nerybright each oc-
cupied their hands with sewing of a do
nestle nature during the exercises:
and for once Mrs. Questioning failed
to have her paper ready at the appointed
time
rs marriage a failure?" was the sub
ject of said paper; and those members
who still enjoyed single blessedness
were anxiously looking forward TO it,
hoping it might be a guide to future
action.
The Blustockings were at supper II
evening shortly after this, when John
noticed that his wife was arrayed in Il
dainty silk gown of stylish u and re-
cent make.
why so gorgeous, dear?" asked he.
smilingly. What is the occasion of the
new gown"
The Ideal club is to have a social
this evening from eight to twelve, Ut
Mrs. Fondmother's,'' said Catherine,