The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-02-15
AN AGREEMENT
 AT THE LODGE


 kins. Hawkins Is the past grand imperial emperor and potentate of sil Yer Moon lolge No 5I.
 "Tn tell you what we'll do," he went on. "we three chaps will agree. if you say SO. when we go home this morning - It's half after o'clock now-to do whatever our respective wives suggest. We ought to do some thing to even things up. What do you sayy"
 "Thc chap who fails to do exactly what his wife suggests or even hints pt must buy the supper for the crowd. said Hawkins. Are you all In on itF
 The three pledged their assent.
 They met one night less than a week later and Elliot said: Well Tomp kinS. how did sou come outT'
 "All right" said the little man '.Thc supper isn't on me. lt was , o'clock when got home. was get ting along all right, and it seemed cer' tain that | would get 10 my room on the third floor without disturbing a soul. when my foot struck chaii which somebody had careleSsly Jeff standing on the stairs. The chalt turned over and went rattling and pumping down the stairs.
 "'Hello.' called Mrs Tompklns. T suppose that Is you. IIenryT
 "'Yes, dear said. 'It is l..
 "'wen.' she said, It's a wonder you wouldn't break the chair all to pieces.
 "I remembered our agreement and although it was hard work l finally got that chalr broken up. The chair was hardwood and it took me a long time to do 1t. but there was mighty little left when got through" |.
 And you. Elliott" said Hawkins sadly.
 "I'm all right" said the magnificent Interior sentinel "I had nearly the same experience. broke Into tue house without rouslng anybody and was just about to go under the wire an easy winner when stepped on Mrs. Elliott's pet Angora cat
 lnOuas, Salu MIS. Llllotts
 "'YeS. dear answered. T stepped on Clarence. He was sleeping here on the stairs, and was trying to get up to bed without disturbing you
 Well said Mrs Elliott, its won der you wouldn't kin the poor dear
 With our agreement In mind took her suggestion as a command and aft. CT some difficulty finally got a firm hold of Clarence and of my revolver A cat has nine lives, you know, but l finally succeeded ln carrying out my wifc's wishes iu the natter
 Hawkins. it's up to you"
 The past grand imperial emperor hcaved a deep sigh.
 "l'vc got long story to tell he >ald. Lets put it or m We have more time.
 But the other men were relentless.
 "I don't mind coufcs,ing." he began, that | went home determined to stick one of you fellows for the supper. In fact. I may as well admit that had made arrangements before left home that evening to get In by the side door, and [ was sure not a soul ln the house would hear me. had lt all carefully planned. and ,t wasn't at all my fault that it didn't work out as l figured.
 "I stayed down town until 1 o'clock on purpose. because knew that peo- pie sleep most SOundly just before the dawn. Before l went in walked all around tue house and saw that there wasn't a light burning anywhere. "l even took the trouble to look up the policeman on the beat, and he as surcd me that there hadn't been light llt In my house since 10 o'clock. In. der the circumstances felt that it would be easy Co get in without being caught at it. Al the time | wouldn't have given you chaps a nickel for your chance of eating at my expense.
 Finally let myself in at the side door without making sound that could have disturbed a mouse. Then with a pocket electric light, which | always carry with me. llt myself through library and drawing room into the hall
 Then. like wise man. sat down on the steps Co take or my shoes. so as to make assurance doubly sure. Just as was pulling or the second shoe my foot slipped. and kicked over the other shoe which | had set down on the stairs beside me. It went bump. ing down to the bottom. striking on ey- cry step with a racket which was frightfuL
 "'who's thereT cried my wife In a naturally startled voice.
 "Its only me. dear answered In my most ingratlatIng tone. I'm afraid dropped one of my shoes
 Poor goodness sake she said. are you Just getting home from lodge? What time Is it. anyhowr
 "Tts just about t2 o'clock, dear l answered
 "Then the cuckoo clock In the library struck {. and in order to make good l had to sit there on those stairs and cuckoo eight times more to make up twelve.
 Well. it's time you were home. at