The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-10-27
AWIFE'SEXPERIENCE


ut. Isn't because I am tired Of our
dat that want to live In the suburbs,
but tho doctor says we both need the
change" concluded Mrs. Perry Thorne.
II agree with the doctor that we
need change Of one sort. at least" an
swered her husband.
Don't be flippant, dear. ! am In
dead earnest; and, O. Perry, l know
Of such dear cottage. one In row.
20, yes. Mrs. Smead has one In the
same row and she told me about ours.
1t is the southwest corner house, while
hers is the southeast. Isn't 1t strange,
Perry, that l have never been intro
duced to Mr.. Smead? wouldn't be-
lieve there was any such person II
had not seen him."
Nothing strange about IT," growled
Perry, in what his wife called his bull
dog voice." 81 suppose you want to
know him because he has the reputa-
ton of being lady-killer."
II hate beauty men," said Maud.
soothingly, they are all vain, conceit-
ed creatures. l would never marry .
handsome man,"
Mr.. smead did not take as kindly to
the change as Perry Thorne did, but
he told his wife, thoughtlessly, that
one good feature of suburban life was
having the Thornes for neighbors.
Where have you ever met Mrs.
Thorne?" asked his wife, suspiciously.
Don't know her from Adam, my
dear, but isn't she your friend, and
haven't l heard hor praises sung ever
since we were married?"
HIN! We have q calling acquaint-
ance, and now that We are to be neigh
bors suppose you will meet. But you
are 80 susceptible and she is so giddy I
Just know you will set people talking"
A great throng of people was hurry
Ing homeward, and all bore the happy
burdens Of Saturday night. Among
them Perry Thorne and Amos smead,
who had struck up neighborly &C
uuaintance, and were now Fastening to
the same train, going out to their sub
urban homes for their first Sabbath OF
rest
They went looping through the gates
in approved suburban fashion, and
caught on Just as the train moved out.
and then Perry shouted in voice that
sounded above tho roar Of escaping
steam:
We've left our Sunday dinners on
the window stand Of the ticket office.
You 20 on, smead. and I'll take the
next train out"
He swung himself clear Of the train,
turned somerset and waved ali
right" to Smead, who mopped the Gin
ders and perspiration from his face.
Mrs. Smead was waiting for her hus-
band, whom she expected on the $50
train. but the train had come and gone,
and instead of the handsome, we'll
sroomed Mr.. Smead, frantic woman,
her neighbor, Mrs. Thorne, rushed
into her cottage.
1--WE caught him!" she gasped. HE
ia locked up in the library. 0! O!
o."
Caught whom" asked the mystified
woman.
Maud explained az soon as she could
speak that desperate looking mana
burglar she was certain, and a convict,
as we'll, by the cut Of his hair-had
feloniously entered her house mo-
ment before she came, and walking
boldly into her library, had been
locked safely therein by herself.
1.-THE windows are nailed down.
have been waiting for Perry to open
them, 80 he cannot escape In that way.
she concluded. 20, II Mr.. Smead were
only here!"
81 guess I'll do Just as WELL" said
Mrs. Smead, coldly. Il will take our
revolver and you can bring the stove
litter, and we will interview him
| through INC uoVA.
But at that identical moment the
TAO train, sometimes called the hus-
bands train, so mrny Of them went
out to spend the weeks interval with
their families, stopped at the nearest
DEPOT and Perry Thorne, with his
double load of packages, hove in sight
| Roth women were overjOyed to sec
| him.
whats the row?" he asked, drop.
ping his bundles on the veranda.
"A burglar, and he's locked up in the
library, Don't you think l was brave?
asked Maud, who, NOW that her hus-
band had come, felt that she might
pose as heroine.
burglars already! Ha! this is di.
version. Give me the key. Maud. I'll
take your revolver, Mrs. smead. Now
ladies, stand aside" and Perry made q
valiant rush for the library door, which
he unlocked and threw open, at the
same time presenting arms according
to the best manual practice.
Don't shoot" cried familiar voice
that trembled, not with fear. but mer'
riment, as Mr.. smeas stepped smilingly
forward and bowed low to Maud. 81
am Mrs. Thorne's captive" he said.
"What does this nean?" demanded
Mrs, smead in the measured syllablei
of the divorce court
at means" explained Mr. Smead
that my wife has not yet learned tc
box the compass. she gave me south.
west and your wife locked me up in q
room that has no ventilation, and un.
der a criminal ban. But forgive her.
he added, with gallant protest, where
at Mauds cheeks grew red with EN-.
barrassment and Mrs. Smead said:
"Come home! After this will meet
YOU at the train and see that you DOM
get into the wrong house."
AT least 1t has made us acquainted.
observed Mr.. smead, true to his col.
ora. and with this parting shot he fol.
lowed his wife to the southeast" cot.