The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-06

n sIitiins tlklMrs. Brown"
Thsfntcn Slidekled. He had played Il
on his rival better than he had expected.
He had snAtchsd his bride and hsf for
time right out Of his hands. Wouldn't
Gregx feel cheap when he discovered
how smoothly and completely he had
been beaten7 Thornton was SO pleased
that he was almost tempted to embrace
and kiss his new wife In spite Of all her
LONELINESS. Al he drove Of he called
back to Gregg's housekeeper:
II have just been and got married my
self, and wish you would tell Gregg
about II when he comes home. Tell him
I'd be pleased to have him call over and
visit US and bring his wife-when he gets
one"
Two days passed. Thornton saw nor
heard nothing OF Gregg. He was only
slightly surprised at this. Gregg was at
home, no doubt, sulking over his defeat.
1t occurred to Thornton that he could
make his rivals defeat more bitter by
tantalizing him little.
Accordingly he hitched up his horsea
and took his wife out for a ride. Hs
drove straight to Gregg's house. he
would parade his wife and his happiness
right before Gresg's eyes.
Sure enough, when he drove up, there
was Gregg sitting on his front porch. He
was alone and, Thornton imagined, dis.
consulate. Thornton chuckied, and hia
face beamed with Joy. He had made biz
rival feel the sting of defeat, and now he
would press the sting in deeper. He
stopped at the gate and spoke. Gregg
nodded to him in return.
"Come out and let me introduce you to
my wife" Thornton called.
Gregg arose slowly, after little hest.
tation, and came down the walk. He was
not pleased at receiving visit from
Thornton, and his face and movements
showed 1t. Thornton saw Gregg's hest.
tation and ascribed 1t to the wrong cause
He concluded that 1t was all owing to hia
defeat.
"It's great thing to have a good
wife" Thornton went on, land don't
See how q man lives without one"
"Yss, it's a great thing" Gregg assent.
ed. mo doubt Of that"
"Then why don't you get yourself
one?" Thornton asked, breaking into q
loud, coarse laugh. II did hear the other
day that you were thinking Of marrying
right soon."
ibid you?"
"Yes. In fact, was told that you had
gone away to get married"
"Well, that was true"
"Was, Ell? Why didn't you marry
them Had your woman gone back or
you or had some other man cut you out?'
"Neither. l did marry. Here comes
my wife now. Mary, let me make you
acquainted with Mr.. and Mrs. Thorn
ton"
Mrs. Gregg came forward and smiling
" acknowledged the introduction. She
was quite young and very pretty, and hel
manners were charming. Thornton
thought her one Of the handsomest WON
en- he had ever seen.
"By the way Gregg continued, 1T II
rather peculiar coincidence that Thorn
ton and / should marry the same day
and both Of US marry women Of the game
name"
"Ehl How is that?" Thornton cried.
"sWhy, you married Mrs. Brown
didn't your"
Eyes"
"Well, my wife was Mrs. Brown"
Thornton turned pale and then red, ant
he trembled all over. He saw in a mo
ment that great mistake had been mad
and that he was the victim. But he coult
blame nobody but himself. He had mar
ried the wrong Mrs. Brown: that was all
His cunning had overreached itself to
once.
He sprang into his buggy and drov,
furiously away without another word
He did not speak to his wife all the wa.
home. He felt bitter toward her AM
wished with all his heart that she was Of
the other side of the earth.
IT have acted the fool worse thai
Thompson's colt" he thought. II hav
tied myself for life to this old vixen, AM
I didn't interfere with Gregg at all. In
m old idiot" Buffalo News.