Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1900-12-15
THE MAN IN THE MOON. >

Ih[ MIN IN Ih[ MUM.
1T simply won't do observed Mr..
Portland-Rhodes, with emphasis.
May | ask what you are talking
about:'
Il am talking about your extrava-
gance," said her husband in his best
House-of Commons manner. IF it con-
tinues you win simply bust up the show, ~
he added. relapsing into slang.
I'm afraid your theatrical friends are
demoralizing your English"
The English language has nothing to
do with the conversation" he snapped.
Not with your conversation, dear"
said his wife, sweetly.
And I'm tired of these dark illusions
to my theatrical friends. It's absurd TO
imagine that because | take girl to
supper that-that there's anything in it.
She was an old friend"
Il should hardly call her old, said
Mrs. Portland Rhodes critically. Sup
pose we say middle-aged"
ANY way, we are drifting from the
point"
What is the point of this dialogue?"
inquired his wife, with extreme affabil-
ity.
Your extravaganza. cannot stand the
pace. What's to be done with these
things?" indicating a little pile of bills.
I'm afraid l have no head for bust
ness" said his wife, looking tired.
But how are we going to meet them"
Mrs Rhodes shifted her smelling-bottle
with an air of extreme patience.
Why not write out checkT she muir
INJURED.
Write out check?" he gasped.
IF you wish the servants to know all
our private affairs, I'll ring the bell"
said his wife But don't shout, dear,
because it makes my head ache"
There was only one reply for an indie
pendent British husband Mr. Portland
Rhodes, NJ. P, gathered up the pile of
bills, housekeeping and otherwise, placed
them by his wife's plate; and stalked to
the door.
You've made very poor breakfast.
Charles" said his wife. sympathetically
And you'll make me a very poor
man." he muttered.
I'm sorry, dear. [ forgot how many
calls you have upon your private purse
This was the last straw. The Mem
Der" banged out of the room, mnttering
expressions which would not be per-
mitted even at a religious demonstration
II was a pretty piece of acting on her
part-the airinesS, the nonchalance, the
magnificent contempt for debit was all
put on. She was in complicated frame
OF mind. She was jealous of her hus-
band on account of an innocent spree"
of his, which green glasses had made
hide0uS She was uneomfOrtably con-
scious that she was on the high road to
making fool of herself. She was nm
to her pretty little ears in debt. and
above all, she was in a funk about it.
In short, Mrs. Portland Rhodes. wife
of the member for Tattenham Corner.
had cast herself for an unsuitable role
At the bottom of her heart she was a
romantic little creature ridiculously in
love with her husband, with philanthrop-
ic tendencies, and reasonable weak
ness for dressing deeently."
There is no more pitiable sight than
that of a scrupulous person trying to be
inscriptions. She hated to owe money
but to keep level with the times she ran
headlong into debt and suffered agonies
She adored her husband. and quarreled
with him. She despised married flirts.
and was carrying on three open firfa-
tons, to say nothing of a mysterious one.
at the mere thought of which she trem-
bled. In short she was a poor, worried
little woman, who was walking in slim
perry places, and expected to come 4 cron-
per every minute.
A week before she had attended fan
cy dress masked ball given at the Am
bideXtrous. Mrs. Rhodes was ROBBED as
the Morning Star, and paired off with
the Man in the Moon. She believed her
partner to be certain Percy Ladbroke
whom she counted among her admirers
| They became quietly confidential and
Mrs. Rhodes rather let the cat out Of the
bag with regard to her financial scrapes
The Man in the Moon was sympathetic
He had had a Straight tin from
Ih NOpAAlA 1ID,,ll ~. J. -
on for her? Mrs. Rhodes hesitated 70:
a variety of reasons, one being that - g
| had no spare cash 70 lose, and was al
ready out of her depth
IN tell You what | shall do" said
! the Man in the Moon; Il shall have A
futter myself, and I'll buy a few shares
| for you, too. If it turns out badly. I'll
/ get it back for you some other time.
! But it's too good TO miss; you must be
! in it,"
! This arrangement sounded very com
/ Portable, and Mrs. Rhodes assented.
/ Her first shock was received next day.
! when she learned that the Man in the
| Moon was not by any means Percy Lad
broke, as that young gentleman was
away in the country. The next shock
was polite letter Of conSratulation from
the Man IN the Neon, inclosing a note
Tor t20O. The dabbe in Angehcos had
succeeded beyond her expectations.
1t was a curious position for a mar
RED woman. What was she to do? A
man she did not know. for he had not
even signed his name, probably think
ing She already knew it. had sent her
a round sum of money He might be
mad, but who would believe the story
Would any sane person, especially a mere
husband, believe thar stranger would
h4nd her a share of a speculation in
which she had not staked a farthing?
reIlef when she recollected that. not
| knowing who he was, She could not re-
turn Il. That fact. combined with the
, pie Of bills and her husbands irritation
on financial subjects. decided her, and
she e4shed the note. and utilized il TO
Stop the mouths Of her hungriest credit
( orS, But 1t seemed as if she was doomed
/ 10 face the unexpected. X happened
/ mat night THAI, for a wonder she and
! her husband dined tete-a-tetc. He was
! gloomy ard silent; she as airy and fip-
/ pant - usual
I have. had a lucky speculation in