The true northerner., 1897-01-13
A DEBT DANCED OFF.

civals friends was that ne might have
done good deal better for himself than
he did In his matrimonial venture.
An M. p with 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
ried money, and this Is exactly what he
had not done
day trip. She was pretty, vivacious 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, 900 year Per
cival had subsistcd comfortably enough as
a bachelor, but as u married NJ. II. he
found that his income went simply no way
at all
cival got into debt
He already owed nearly S., 600, n crush
ing liability to man with "a 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.
which was being fought tooth and nail by
the opposition, and urgent whips had been
issued to the members of both parties 70
be- as frequently as possible In their places.
But there were many dreary intervals OF
debate, when no big division was immi-
nent.
In his worried state Of mind the dull
ness of domestic evening or the yet
Il no., nf nIf
zione was uninviting.
Within mile Of the palace of Westmin-
ster there Is, as all the world knows, a fa-
nous theater of varieties. One evening
during particularly drowsy debate a fel-
low M. 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 loomsd q background of
murky Clouds gloomy as the sky before an
impending Thunderstorm; then brilliant
blaze of sunlight burst upon the shadowed
scene, and whirling wildly in its dazzling
rays appeared the famous rainbow dan
seuse
II 1t had ended with his merely admir-
ing this ravishing beauty from distance
all might have been we'll. But such in
fatuation as Percival's was not satisfied to
confine 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
ing 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 il
carefully In sight.
When they had driven about mile, his
cab stopped. The Nj. r. got out He saw
the young lady alighting from her cab
about hundred yards away. With beat
ing heart and trembling steps he followed
her.
Percival realized with certain thrill of
uneasiness that il 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 scrutinizing the numbers. Then,
after some evident hesitation, she walked
straight up to the door of Percival'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 up at him
with cold, altered expression that made
him vince. But he persevered He told
her all. She averted her face and heard
his confession to the end in ominous 81
lence
And so, jim, my make up, my golden
wig and my whirling draperies-to say
nothing Of the shifting lights and shadow.
thrown upon me--baffied even your pene
tration. Eh, sir?'
Jim was staring mt his pretty wife, whC
had now risen and stood before him smiling
archly, in evident enjoyment of his obvi
| GUS relief and astonishment.
And you fell in love with my make uI
for that is what 1t comes to, doesn't it
| JimY"
by Jover' he exclaimed with empha
sis, that explains it. 1t was your eye,
that did IL, little girl They drew me Il
the thester night after night to worship
you. could not resist the spell. 1 coulG
not explain IL to myself. To think never
guessedl BY Jove, was duffer.
ought to have known that no such other
| eyes were to be found i'm all England"
"Or i'm all America either" questioned
the rainbow danseuse playfully.
But, 1 say, asked Jim, an idea strik
ing him, these 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, Jennie?''
Not at all, sir. / 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,