Milford chronicle., 1901-02-01
NY HIFE'S FUR CAPE.
BY EMMA W. WISE.

ears ago this winter my wife took a d
lotion that she wanted a cape of Per-
ian lamb. She wasn't as reasonable
n financial matters then as she now is,
md when l intimated that l couldn't I
lfford that luxury she pouted and ;
showed a disposition to be generally
ugly.
81 haven't had anything new for
good while she said I've skimped
nlong and saved and worried and
pinched all summer. and l don't think
1t looks right to act stingy with me
now. | worried through last winter,
too, with next to nothing, and l really
think deserve the cape
"That was her parting shot as left
the breakfast table, and all the morn
ing It ranked in a vital spot. l could
not be oblivious to the fact that the
dear woman had indeed got through
the last year with a limited wardrobe,
and made up my mind to strain
point and see if | couldn't make the 7
rifle in regard to the coveted cape.
went M town that afternoon fully de-
termined that if l could get a good gar
buy it at once, even though the pur-
chase might entail the sacrifice Of a |
number of little luxuries | had counted |
on laying in for my own use in the
near future. Finally I came to win
dow in which number of apparently
superfine fur wraps were on exhibit
ton. The store was a pawnshOp' but
on the impulse of the moment | step
ned i'm and asked the proprietor If he
had any capes in Persian lamb.
81 haf.' said he-I hat Won Of de
ferry vinest cabes In dis down, und
am Citing him away dire cheab.'
'The fellow ransacked around in an
inner room for a few minutes and at
length returned with a garment which
even my uncritical eye could tell at a
glance was the real thing.
81 vas aboud to send id to de aug
) ton shop he said. If id is cabe you
want. you haf yoost in time come. This
cabe is magneeficent-len q inch
!. es; sweep. 1876 inches. Id vas brOughd
in here by man who promised to re
i deem id ride away soon, bud now more
. as a year han passed, und he not show
y up, so l shall sell de cabe. How mucl
> you dink id worth?
+ "sHow much do you thinkT ! asked
; "Vell, said he, id is easy worth 500
but l sell ia cheab. l let you haf d
for $50 cash.
xamined the garment carefully
lr. as far as / could see, was j
,lent condition The lining wa
hout flaw, and there We're ton
] style to the cut that would, fe
re. bring joy to the heart of my fa
dious wife. With all the cape's me
Is, l was not ready to swear that IL
900 valuation was correct, but ! w'
positive that it was worth $50, and
rashly closed the bargain then al
here | carried the cape down to n
Jfiice myself. | had there a large p
Der box bearing the address Of reli
sb BILE furrier, and in this l packed Il
I'M wrap ana gave it to a messenger be
or, with Instructions to be sure to deliv
m the package at my house before
ar o'clock. That evening when ! got hol
ng my wife was fairly eTervescing wi
happiness and affection.
~ lit was so lovely of you. Donal
,nt she said. Are you really sure Y
in could afford It? After you were 60
e." this morning | felt awfully asham
cry of myself for having been so cross.
Cd know you always do the very best y
ier- can by me. hope dear. that
oot didn't skimp yourself in any way in
nv, ~. der to buy this lovely wrap Are }
sure it was wise to buy It at Seller
.ars They are so high priced How mi
an did you pay for this Donald, dearT
all "My wife's unstlnted praise e
ow- generosity fed my vanity and made
leas desiress 70 maintain a high stand
ana ana IN her estimation. and | said coo
"a Two hundred dollars
- "For two months after the adv
estv of the Persian lamb cape into
lime household we were superlatively
t of DIV. But all the while clouds were g;
lilor ering on the domestic horizon UNI
ceived by me. and one day the st'
pres burst. We were dining in a pop
hls restaurant when the deluge came.
~ IL woman who sat at the small tabl'
= &c our right pulled out the stopper
from precipitated the catastrophe.
, re- watched my wife closely as she reu
was ed her fur cape and spread it out
ndon the back Of her chair. She said 4
,ac %eI ing until we had finished our s,
lozen then she leaned forward and tai
hirts. my wifes elbow softly.
shah Pardon ME, madam she said,
Very will you kindly tell me where you
rsia- that capeY
'She spoke in a whisper, but my
and heard. and the woman's com
ion-that man out there on the
form-also heard. The poor fe
" = looked as if he would literally sh
n : up with modification. Caroline
admonished, for heavens sake,
rable. your temper. Don't make scene.
" I'm not making a scene, ret'
news the woman; I'm simply asking
oeI ~ lady where she got her wrap. S.
.Pdot she has no objection to answeri
liver harmless question like that
,dv. "My wife's face was very Y
medi- which with her is a sign of anger
nine she answered coolly: Certainly n
$ don't think it any of your bust
Suls IL you must huoNf J. bOuShe
= rather, my husband bought it at
,sd- ers'. He paid, she added Pre-
and Is $500 for it,
curing The little man sank BACK W
-ou- sigh Of relief. but the woman d
rst on another coat of war paint. 4
wish to appear rude she said,
feel compelled to tell you that tina
was never bought in that store.
-. ,ad mine. 1t was stolen from my HOT
.ivate "AIy wife flashed me a frigh
stioning glance. Donald she
,ever,' I said feryently.
lore than a year ago. proc