The Somerset reporter., 1901-02-07

harmless question like that
MY wife's face was very white,
which with her is a sign of anger, but
she answered coolly: Certainly not.
don't think 1t any of your business;
but, If you must know, bought it, or,
rather, my husband bought it at Sell
ers'. He paid she added proudly,
5000 for it.
THE little man sank back with a
sigh of relief, but the woman dashed
on another coat of war paint Il don't
wish to appear rude she said, but l
feel compelled to tell you that that cape
was never bought in that store. It Is
mine. 1t was stolen from my house,
MY wife flashed me a frightened,
questioning glance. Donald, she gasp
ed.
Never I said fervently.
More than year ago. proceeded
the woman.
"'Oh,' CALCULATED my wife, that's
different! I've had the garment only
two months You can't blaine us
Now that had been eXonerated of
the theft | felt bold enough to put in
an oar of my own. Madam said |,
since you seem so positive that this
cape once belonged to you, perhaps you
won't mind explaining your means of
Identification.
I can identify it, she said by the
handkerchief pocket. Dc you see these
tiny buttons stitched around the top?
Well, they are arranged in the form of
the letters &C. D." Those are my ini-
tials. They stand for Caroline Drake.
That is my name. Now are you sat
isfed? 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. f see nothing convincing
about that she said. Wen all 90
down to Sellers tomorrow and settle
the matter there
Again my heart palpitated. l knew
Sellers. and l was also we'll aware that
that cape would never bear investiga-
tion at their hands. In order to pre-
vent still more painful complications l
did what l should have done in the
AlSl pldNt. lOlo lOM CdIlIc uN iDe
cape. AS l finished my tale of trans
gression and late repentance | 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. l wouldn't
in, ho In oSf
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 | have
borne so much, should insult me by
giving me cape that he had picked
up in a pawnshop cuts me to the heart.
! am greved beyond expression. His
conduct is really incredible, and don't
think | shall ever get over it.
Mrs Drake sighed softly. 1t was
a shameful way to treat YOU she said.
I'm very sorry, but men are all alike
"'Qulte true assented my wife ami
ably, and now, since my husband had
the nerve to buy this cape in a pawn
shop, shouldn't be at all surprised to
learn that your husband sold it there
II 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 ahead of time, and you discover
ed your loss. didn't dare confess
then. l talked you into thinking bur
glars had swiped it,
You thought you had talked me
into that belief retorted Mrs. Drake.
4 never really thought SO. | thought
all the time your mother had stolen it.
That's the reason | never made any eff
fort to find 1t. | felt sure the detectives
would trace 1t to her IL | pushed the
matter, and out of consideration for
your feelings | let the thing drop. And
this Is the reward l get for my self
sacrifice
ut was my wife's turn to offer con-
ISOLATION. Men are all alike she said.
Il looked at Drake, and Drake looked
at me. They are we said in unison.
Mrs. Drake took the fur cape home
with her and | 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
US and the brakes. Still. Drake and
/ meet around town occasionally, just
as we did this evening, and we always
pass the time of day. As said, we
understand each other. and the cur
rent of our mutual sympathy Is very
strong. New York Herald.
Trying to Make Forty Dollars.
Here Is a hard luck story apropos of