The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-07-12
THE RESULTS
 OF A JOKE

many friends thnt ne was hnally re- duced to but one man, who stuck to him. This was Albertus Whiteright. whlterlght was m exemplary young man with an exemplary young wife The whiterights were members of st. Andrews church, and Burt was al' ways on hand Sunday nights to show strangers to seats and pass the plate Mrs. Whlteright before her marriage had made it an indispensable condition that the man she married should be Q good churchman. and as she consld' cred her church the only true church Burt was obliged to be confirmed be- fore he became her husband.
 Shafto was quite intimate with the whlterights. counting Mrs. Whiterigh' one of his closest friends, as well as her husband. Frequently when Burt was detained late at the office Tom would keep his wife company. One night Tom called at the Whlterlghts' about 10 o'clock. and. though he re malned tll l2, the husband did not re- turn.
 "You needn't look for Burt tlll a o'clock fin the morning." said Tom.
 "Why notT' asked the wife. looking up surprised.
 "why, this is the night of the French ball. Burt Is undoubtedly there"
 Now. every one who lives In New York knows that the French ball oi annual gathering given by the Cerclc Franchise Is a masquerade composed oi elements and productive of antics ren derlng 1t an unit place for one occupy ing a high place in the church. Mrs Whlteright looked shocked and was about to make an indignant reply when she remembered Toms procliv' ity for faceuousness. She simply looked grave and said nothing. Shaf' to, seeing that the lady declined to bc Jollied on SO serious subject turned it and began to talk of other mattcrs Soon after he took h.s leave.
 At 8 in the morning Whiteright pui his night key Into the lock and let him self in softly. thinking that his wife was asleep and not wishing to disturb her. To his surprise, she was sitting ln the library.
 "why, my precious darling, what arc you doing up at this timer
 Tt Is a wife's duty to bear her bus bands burdens with him. If you must work SO late. decline to rest in a luxurious bed"
 Its very lovely of you, but unneces sary."
 "what was the nature of your work tonlghty"
 "An error in the cash I was obliged to find 1t or carry it over, which would have made lt all the worse"
 "By the bye, did you know that this Is the night of the French ballr
 "French banY whlterlght started "Yes."
 "what do you know about the French bally'
 q know that it Is an improper ball for my husband to attend"
 q? My dear. so you accuse me oi such a thing?"
 "I have been told that you werc there"
 whlteright caught at the back of s chair for support
 "who told you such a thlngT'
 cone of your intimate friends"
 "H-h-how d-dld he knowT"
  ashamed of you, a man of your posi- ton. And to think that you should have SO deceived me! I shall never have any confidence in you again"
 Mrs. whlteright took out her hand kerchlef, wiped her eyes and, rising went upstairs. There was weeping and waillng and gnashing of teeth be tween the whiterights not only that night. but for nights and days Co come The next afternoon Shafto saw whlteright coming down the street and had a joke ready for him. What was his surprise to see Whiterlght pass him with his head in the air. Shafto hur' ried after him.
 What in the worlds the matter Burti Have you gone blindT
 "I have always supposed" " replied tho other angrily. that you had the de cency not to give a man away to hlH own wife"
 "I give you away to your wifel never did any such thing"
 You did 1t last night"
 Hast night? Howr
 'You informed my wife that wal at the French ball"
 "You at the French ball? Who would believe that you would go to such a place? Certainly not I. Now remem' Der I did say something of the sort as a joke"
 -Joke or no joke. was at the French ball l was masked, and no one would have known 1t fl it hadn't been for your contemptible give away. Good morning."
 And with a snort Whiteright broke away from Shafto. and their friendship came to 6 termination.
 The end Is not yet Mrs. Whlterlght who had a conscience like a poker decided that her husband was not fin spiritual condition to go to the com munion table. All her troubles were divided into two classes, the one :oi her doctor. the other for her pastor This was for her pastor. She conhdet the whole affair to him. The pastor invited the delinquent to his study l nnh fold him thnt the offense mus