The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-11-07

| NO, MISS DcaulOIl, L CauhOl' 1
haven't saved penny this winter, and
l get a big salary. too. 1t seems
idiotic."
81 have met you so frequently l
feel quite we'll acquainted with you,
though expect have been a little
impolite."
"No,' said |. IL am glad that you
Jake that much interest in me-"
Then we changed tue subject. l
had splendid time at the party and
enjoyed Miss Beaufort's company very
much. l found her level headed and
bright if she was too frank.
The next day l told mother about
it. She said she admired Miss Beau
fort for her common sense, though she
had never seen her. Then she referred
again to my getting married.
"Suppose," said she, that you pre-
tend for week or so that you are
married and see how it goes?"
can imitation wife?" said l.
"Whv not?" she said. II will write
the name of a young lady on card,
seal 1t in an envelope and you can lock
i, in your desk. Then let US suppose
you are married to her for, say, two
weeks. During that time l want you
to act just as if the lady were here in
person and your lawful welded wife"
"Whose name are you going to write
on the card?" said l.
"Never mind,". said she. IL will
write my preference, and neither of US
will breathe word about this to a
living soul"
We agreed on this. Mother wrote
the name on the card and sealed it in
the envelope. knew it was Vene
Wright's name, SO decided to i'm
agine that Vene was there in person,
and so we commenced the week.
Monday night came. That was the
night Of the German club ball, but l
stayed at home and talked to mother.
Then | played draughts with her for
awhile, and We managed to have very
erjoy able evening.
Next morning mother met me at
the table with smiles and about the
best break fast | had eaten for long
while.
you must imagine that your wife
saw to this breakfast" she whispered.
Going to the city that morning, who
should get into the bus but Miss Beau
fort. bowed to her gracefully, passed
her fare to the conductor and was
about to sit down by her side when l
happened to think of my imitation wife
at home and kept y..seat by the door.
married men have no business talk
ing to the young ladies'" said l to my
self
Miss Beaufort looked at me rather
queelly, but said nothing, and l
thought the bus would never get to
the city.
Thursday was the evening was to
call on Vene, and forgot to send her
an excuse. On Friday a note came
from her which mother took the liberty
Of opening, as she thought l would
not care, and she felt like representing
my wife in the desk. 1t was tender
missive and somewhat surprised me
when saw it. But what could l do?
Married men have no business getting
tender notes from young ladies. In
asmuch as | had contracted to carry
out mothers plan for two weeks l left
the note for mother to answer She
is very truthful woman, but in an
swering the note she prevaricated.
She said that l WAS very sick, and
as natural consequence Vene called
that afternoon to see me, but was at
business, and mother had to invent
another story. Then she had to come
all :he way to the office so as to keep
me from coming home my usual way
for fear Vene night catch US.
| laughed good deal at mother,
and Vene did not find US out, but Mrs.
Jones-an awful gossip-met her, and
Vene told her | was sick, and the next
day all my society friends came round,
among them Miss Beaufort.
Mother met her rather coldly, but
invited her to stay awhile.
Il suppose Mr.. Silver is almost worn
out with SO much going out?' said the
young lady.
He is much BETTER" said mother,
"but l do not think be will go out for
several weeks think that / shall
keep him at home"
IL am SO glad," said Miss Beaufort,
mot that you are going 70 keep him
at home, but that he is not going out
so much. am getting so that fairly
i T