The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-17
BY TELEPHONE.

Mrs. Multiply had been a bride for only
six months when she made a startling dis
covery-her husband was flirting with
his typewriter He was n lawyer--a good
looking fellow, eight years her senior
bright and with prosperous business
His wife's father, DR.. Bookanbel, was
clergyman without church, his voice
having failed soon after his marriage with
a rich young widow. Mrs. Multiply was
the elder of two daughters, the only chill
dren of the marriage, the younger being a
student at Vassar.
This was how tho microbe OF jealousy
entered Mrs. Multihy's blood: Mr. Multi
fly gave his wife key to the private en-
trance to his room in his suit of offices,
so that she could enter 1t when she visited
him there without having TO pass through
the rooms occupied by his clerks Being
down town one day and having received
letter which she wished to show to her
husband, she went to the building in
which his offices were situated On leav-
ing the elevator she found that she had
forgotten her key, and therefore must en-
ter the offices by the common door. She
did so and discovered her husband leaning
over an exceedingly pretty young type
writer, talking and laughing. She felt
a sudden pang.
1t was the microbe aforesaid forcing an
entrance.
Mrs. Multifly paused for an instant and
then passed in with stately tread to the
private room, not however, without hav-
ing observed pimply faced office boy in
a strangulating collar, glance from her to
her husband and then exchange grins
with one of the clerks
The microbe took a step forward
Mr. Multifly, happening to look up,
caught sight of a woman s skirt disappear
ing through the door.
WHO'S that?" he asked.
Mrs. Multifly, sir, answered the office
boy, flattening out the grin SO suddenly
that the pimples cracked
"Why, my dear" Mr.. Multiply said
when he reached his sanctum, ''how is it
you didn't come right in here from the cor
ridorp''
"If had" Mrs Multifly replied, in Sc
we're tones and with flashing eye, II
shouldn't have discovered you flirting
with your typewriter.
g The microbe hung up his hat.
After the typewriter was discharged
everything went on delightfully."- Mrs
Multifly confessed that she was very silly
her husbands talking pleasantly with
pretty girl in his employ.
The microbe was Frustrated.
Three months passed away. Mrs Null
fifty being down town, thought she would
fr;x har hue han nd Ghn trsn1 bar how
this time No one was in the room. Hear
ing the elevator stop she said:
Here he is. will give him a different
kind of surprise from what gave him
last time"
She slipped into a closet and almost
closed the door. Her husband entered,
put his hat down and seated himself at
his desk Presently the bell of the tele-
phone on the desk rang, and Mr.. Multiply
put his lips to the mouthpiece and said,
"Hello!" After listening for minute he
said through the phone:
"Why, of counsel It's just the thing!"
Then he listened once more and began to
smile. His wife saw 1t. He went on:
"Have you got your trunks all packed"
He put his ear to the mouthpiece and
remained in that position for fully a min
ute. Then he once more began to talk.
That's all right" he said. 1.-THE
steamer sails at noon. How about the
berth?'
Again he placed the instrument at his
ear and listened attentively.
"That's first rate" he said, once more
answering. 1T will be much pleasanter
to have double berth. Don't you think
so?"
"Once more he shifted the mouthpiece
to his ear and gave attention. Changing
from listener to speaker he said;
LAS you say, it will be a great surprise
to my wife, but she will get over it..
The microbe sat up and grinned.
Mr.. Multifys ear rapidly took the place
of his lips, and, soon reversing that order,
he said:
"I'n be punctual. How are you off for
money!"
With the instrument to his ear he await
ed the reply. Then he said:
do you think Is, 900 will be enough?
Suppose make it So, O00?"
He prepared himself to receive the re-
Spouse and speedily answered:
I'm go at once and get the money"
He rang off, rose, took his hat and left
the office by the private door.
A minute later Mrs Multifly appeared
from the closet. Her face was pale. Her
teeth were set. Her lips quivered She
raised one small gloved fist and shook it
at the door.
The microbe danced breakdown.
"The scoundrelr' she Missed out. she
is preparing to elopel His dismissal of
that girl was all pretense. He has been
supporting her until he could make ar
rangements to abandon me and go off
with her. All his recent show of affection
was a cloak to deceive me and to ward off
suspicion. But I'll battle him. Thank
God, am independent of himr'
She left the room, took the elevator to
the street, the car to the ferry and crossed.
Then she took another car up town to her
fathers
SIS father at homer" she asked the
maid who opened the door.
Eyes, ma'am."
''Is mother with himp"
mo, ma'am
"Don't tell any one am here. want
% see father alone He is in his library,