Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1901-01-17

any NAiV SttAboN SOipy.
Pardon me, madam she said, but
will you kindly tell me where you got
that cape? -
"She spoke in a whisper, but my wife
and l heard, and the woman's compan-
ion+-that man out there on the plat
form--also heard. The poor fellow
looked as if he would literally shrivei
up with modification. Caroline he
admonished. for heavens sake, keep
your temper. Don't make scene
"Im not making scene retorted
the woman; I'm simply asking this
lady where she got her wrap. Surely
she has no objection to answering a
harmless Question like that
my iwife's face was very white,
which with her is sign of anger. but
she answered, coolly: Certainly not l
don't think 1t any Of your business;
but, if you must know, i bought it, or.
rather, myAhusband bought it at Sen
ers'. He paid she added proudly,
5000 for tic II.
''The little man sank back with a
sigh of relief, but the woman dashed
on another coat of war paint. I don't
wish to appear rude,' she said, but I
feel compelled to tell you that that cape
was never bought in that store. 1t is
mine. 1t was stolen from my house.
"My wife flashed me frightened.
questioning glance. Donald she gasp
ed.
Never l said fervently.
"'More than a year ago. proceeded
the woman.
"'Oh, calculated my wife, that's
different, I've had the garment only
two months. You can't blame u.s.
Now that I had been exonerated Ct
the theft | felt bold enough to put in
an oar of my own. Madam said 1,
since you seem so positive that this
cape once belonged to you, perhaps you
won't mind explaining your means Of
Identification
81 can identify it, she said, by the
handkerchief pocket Do you see these
tiny buttons stitched around the top?
Well, they are arranged in the form Of
the letters sc. d. Those are my INF
tials. They stand for Caroline Drake
That is my name. Now are you sat
isfied? I'll warrant you wouldn't find
another pocket in town trimmed like
that. 1t was my own idea and strictly
original
My wife looked at the buttons in
differently. I see nothing convincing
about that she said. Wen all go
down to Sellers tomorrow and settle
the matter there
again my heart palpitated. I knew
Sellers, and | was also well aware that
that cape would never bear investiga-
ton at their hands. In order to pre-
vent still more painful complications I
did what l should have done in the
first place. l told how l came by the
cape. AS 1 finished my tale of trans
gression and late repentance l looked
across the table appealingly, but my
wife turned her back squarely upon
me and addressed her remarks to the
woman.
Madam she said, take your old
cape. Pray, take it at once. I wouldn't
wear it again if it were the last wrap
on earth. I'd go home in my bare
shoulders first. To think that my hus-
band, who has always pretended to be
so fond of me and for whom l have
borne so much, should insult me by
giving me a cape that he had picked
up in a pawnshop cuts me to the heart.
l am grieved beyond expression. His
conduct is really incredible, and don't
think l shall ever get over it
Mrs. Drake sighed softly. 1T was
a shameful way to treat you she said.
Pm very sorry, but men are all alike
"'Quite true assented my wife ami
ably, and now, since my husband had
the nerve to buy this cape in pawn
shop, 1 shouldn't beat all surprised to
learn that your husband sold it there
81 looked around at Drake, who
seemed for a moment ON the point of
vanishing under the table. He braced
up, however. and spoke out with a
bravery second to none but my own.
4 did, he said firmly. Now that we
are all in for it l may as well own up.
1t was the time | had to pay that bill
of Hammond's. Callie, don't you re-
member? | thought | could redeem
the thing in a little while and you
| would never know it had been taken
out of the house, but a cold snap came
along dDedu OF time, anu you ulScONCE-
ed your loss. l didn't dare confess
then. I talked you into thinking bur-
glars had swiped it, vans
You thought you had talked me
into that belief retorted Mrs. Drake.
4 never really thought so. l thought
all the time your mother had stolen it.
That's the reason L never made any eff
fort to find it. l felt sure the detectives
would trace it to her if l pushed the
matter, and out of consideration for
your feelings let the thing drop. And
this is the reward 1 get for my self
! sacrifice s9le...
1T was my wife's turn to offer con-
ISOLATION. Men are all alike she said
81 looked at Drake, and Drake looked
at me. "TheyAate, we said in unison.
Mrs. Drake took the fur cape home
with her and l had to go up to our
house and bring down my wife's old
jacket before she would bulge out Of
the restaurant. Practically speaking,
that ended the acquaintance between
rs and the brakes Still. Drake and