The St. Johns herald., 1900-06-30
THE SICK HUSBAND AT HOME.
Transaction in Hats Compiicate6 by . Servants Zeal That
 Brought Trouble.

Mrs. Broadway knew the minute
 Mir. Broadway made the announce
 ment that he was all knocked out ot
 kilter and couldn't go down to the
 office that day that something dread ful was going to happen. Of course
 the mere fact that MT. Broadway was III was bad enough, but she knew
 from experience that his inability tC
 attend to business was not marker
 strike them in some form as z re.
 suit of his indisposition. But even her widest fancy could not conjure
 up anything so dreadful as what real
 Iy did come to pass, says the New
 York Sun.
 Mrs. Broadway stayed at home all the forenoon and dosed her spouse and pIastered him and blistered him as a dutIful wife should. but shortly after luncheon she began to show signs of uneasiness. Mir Broadway had observed these signs before and learned their significance.
 had you intended to go anywhere this afternoon. KateY" he asked.
 "G-y-yes, stammered Mrs. Broad way. "i dId have all engagement with Mrs HarleIn."
 Then Just you go right along" said Mir. Broadway. magnanImously. Don't stay here on my account. I'm getting along beautifully. I'm spry as crIck- et this afternoon and would rather pre- ha antics nke and scandaIize noDody."
 Mrs. BroOway was conscIentlous woman, but that day pleasure lugged al her with resistieSs force, ana alter cheering Mir. Broadway with d few phrases expressive of conJugal alice ton she began 10 array herself tor the outing. Before leaving the house she came into the sIttIhg-room to deIIver d few parting instructions.
 "I forgot all about that hat busi- ness" she sad. but l guess you can attend 10 it for me lou remember that hat got last fall, don't you. Jas per? The black velvet one, trimmed with pyramids Of chiffon and tufts ot unclassIileu plumage. 1 never dId like the thing, II was sO frighltu.ly unbe- coming Wore II doWhtOwh yester- day and was CONSCIOUS of looking so much like flying zebra that l deter mined 10 get rid Of II. l stopped one of those street solicitors for second hand clothing over on Sixth avenue aIid struck bargain with him then and there. He will be here Tor the ha, I krS .fI I..'s lars for it. The hats ill a box on a chair m my room. When he comes give il to him, please, and be sue to get the money. Don't lst hIm go away without that. whatever you do. He's tricky, and you'll have to watch him."
 About four o'clock the clothes dealer came for the velvet hat. Mir. Broad way brought the bandbox from the bedroom and handed it to the man, 
 You may open it if you want to-" : ne sad. but it's all right"
 The dealer was worIdly-wise, heavy ! Orowed, black -whiskered individual, | who looked as if he would cast doubt upon the word of angels. He 1 !" oS SCA 1oIAAy SOSPiSIOuS Ol MT DTOSiu- way, for he raised one corner of the i'd and peered cautiously into the depths of the box.
 "Oh. yes" he said. quickly. fits all fight" Then he paid over the s and vent away.
 A little past six Mrs. Broadway came nome. "Oh, Jasper" she cried, the minute she entered the hall door, "did ny new hat come?"
 Your new hat" repeated Mir. Broad Vay. No. guess not. 1 didn't see of new hat"
 Polly" said Mrs. Broadway, "did | ny new hat come?"
 "Yis, men," said Polly, ''it did. set t on chair in your bedroom, and ] ou'il find it there now."
 Mrs. Broadway had dashed into the edroom and swept every chair and bit