The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-03


ringsy This was sent 10 sme. and by whom
! couldn't tell YOU, because | don't know"
''Oh. dear" groaned Mrs. Kelsey. who
thought the story a very poor one. II see
you've had the drawing room newly fur
nished. Midgell saw the vans unloading
heap of things a week ago. and now
i know what they were"
'Midgel keeps her eyes open by day
as well as by night said Mrs. Baldock
with gay laugh, and Mrs. Kelsey shiv-
cred, knowing how true the observation
was. As her hostess gave her a second
cup OF tea and went 10 the square piano
-an exquisite instrument. new from a
nrst class makers hands-she looked at
her observantly. Mrs. Baldock had al
ways been pretty young creature. with
her gray eyes and ruddy brown hair. her
pale complexion, piauant features and
slight, graceful shape; but she was more
than pretty now-she was charming; she
was more than stylish: she was chic. An
air or satisfied triumph--an aura OF sue
cess seemed TO exhale and emanate from
her pretty personality: she had the air OF
a woman who nurses a delightful secret.
all her own. She sang song after song
In her clear, ringing voice TO her old
friend. and. unlearned In music as the old
lady was, even her unscientifc ear could
not but detect that the rendering was
admirable, the expression mastery She
was so charmed and tnthralled that she
forgot TO be suspicious. and only remem-
bered all the dreadful things she had
heard about her pretty young friend when
she got home and was pounced upon by
Mdgell.
"you ought 10 a-had n out then and
there. You oushtn't 10 a-Ieft fhe'ouse
without openin' that mans eyes( meaning
BsldocD to what's goin' on under his
nose"
But he was In bed. Sarah Ann" fall
tered the poor cid lady. 'You know he
sleeps from four in the morning until
eight. when he breakfasts. and goes 10
bed again at three in the afternoon, get
ting up at Ave"
Mr.. Bsldock. who was good looking
well dressed man OF 25 and not at all sell
entihc in appearance. was AZ that moment
sitting I'm a comfortable chair In his wife's
pretty drawing room. smoking a cigarette
and reading the newspaper He lowered
the sheet as his wife came into the room.
How was the new star last night7" she
asked before dropping a kiss on the top OF
her husbands head.
1T was az usual" said the astronomer
"a little fainter than the second magni-
ture. There will be a revival OF its brill
liancy in about 20 hours. and within FIVE
and a half hours more IL will have reach
ed normality. In these months OF sum
mer IL is not favorsbly visible. being i'm
mersed in the vapors and twilight on the
horizon: but in the autumn and
winter months II may be viewed with ad-
vantage. Unlike your pretty self my
dear. who are an equally bright and pleas
ant object 10 the eye all the year round"
"Oh. Archie" Mrs. Baldock gave him a
choking hug ITO think OF YOU saying
that-and meaning it, after seven mar
ried years. why don't more women marry
astronomers? There would be less un-
happiness. i feel sure. Why don't they?"
she exclaimed.
Perhaps because the supply OF astron-
omers Is somewhat limited" said Archi-
bald Baldock, kissing his wifes hand. BY
the way. Lettie, my darling, don't you
want check for the quarters rent?"
'Hot Just now" said Mrs. Baidock,
resting her chin comfortably upon the top
Of Baldocks head I'm fact. it's paid"
If 80 sweet looking creature cuutd be
said To look cunning. Mrs Baldock did at
that moment
Paid" echoed Baldock. in mild sur
prise "Oh, l see" he added. "you have
thought IL best TO let the tradespeople
wait a little and pay mp the rent, and I
think you acted sensibly. But you must
settle with Thump e Crowder and the
butterman today"
IL did settle with them-yesterday,"
said Lefty Baldock, biting her pretty lips,
as she looked down the bridge of her hus-
bands nose.
"Out of your allowance? Ny poor peti
What a brute / have been!' cried Boil
dock.
lie started UP and knocked Letty's chin
and made her bite her tongue--at least
she accounted for the tears that were In
her eyes and the hysterical laughter that
her by saying she had And
hen he took her on his knee and talked
most unscientiic nonsense. An then IL was
lime to start for Kew. And by the time
Lefty had put on his hat for him and
hung his fur overcost upon his arm Cbe-
'ause the nights, even in June. are chill
W, and fetched his bag, stored with all |
he things Midgell had enumerated she |
lad quite forgotten that she had intend |
"a 10 make a confession 10 her husband. |
She kissed her hand 10 him from the door |
step as the gate clicked. and he hurried |
iown the Chiswick road, and then she |
hut the door and rang the bell that COM
with the kitchen.
II will have some chicken and salad |
sandwiches for supper" she said To the |
mart maid who answered the bell. and |
half bottle of Moselle. Leave the tray |
n my dressing room, as usual. and don't |
it up later than TO- / shall be In at the |
usual time"
And Mrs. Baldock smiled and dlmpled, |
md the maid smiled and giggled
"Oh. II you please" she burst out. as |
hough the words could not he kept I'm. |
me and cook wanted 10 say how we did |