The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-11-13

otharf Can't we put dog-collars ra md
their aecks and bring them together
just olt of scratching distance? It's
getting SO beastly expensive, YOU
know"
Gregson was my brother Ia adver-
sfty. There's nothing like it for breed
real friendship. l told him to sit down
ordered his lunch and a bottle or
i Moet.
Look here" 1 said at last over the
coffee and cognac. Things will never
straighten out unless we take the bull
by the horns-no personal inference in
tended. So come und oil Sunday and
bring YOU wife. l invite you on my
own responsibility"
This arrangement made, l went and
bought a diamond and pearl brooch
for MalSie as a peace offering, and
started for home to break the news.
L told the cabman to drive by the long
est way, so as to gut off the ordeal as
long as possible. When l got in, to
my utter amaZement. Maisie came for
ward, and, putting her arms round my
neck, kissed me in a way she had never
done since the honeymoon.
oh, Jack, dear, I've got such a
lovely surprise for YOU she crooned,
DO come and see
Il followed her into the study with q
beating heart. Tie first thing l no
uced was a pile of millinery boxes oil
the table, and they all bore the nams
of Barker. l dropped into a chair and
wiped my forehead.
This is a SURPRISE" I %groane6.
Quite unexpected, I'm sure, nd
l paused, for she had begun to open
the boxes one by one, INC was trying
on the hats in front of the mirror. I'll
swear that Barker didn't let her have
one of those mo~nstrositics under a
couple of guineas.
You see. Jack. Mrs. Gregson can't
wear the best hats now. because "
bought ali the prettiest Barker had.
Don't you think they will suit me?"
What can a chap say when his wife
looks pretty in a hat, and, worse still,
know 1t? I simply asked where she got
the money from.
Money? Oh, Jack, dear, the bill
hasn't come in yet" she replied, sweet
ly. But I have kept the greatest sur
prise to the last. Come along"
followed her into the kitchen like
one in a dream. Stocks of unpacked
furniture were piled up everywhere,
and the cook and housemaid were
lodging each other between them as
they endeavored to get the dinner.
CHANGING through the scullery door the
same sight met my eyes, and I looked
imploringly at Maisia for an explana-
ton.
That's my new study furniture,
dear" she said, AN there's a heaven
ly Chippendale cupboard coming for
the drawing room. Aren't you
pleased?"
"Er-yes. It's rather amusing, isn't
it?' I stammered like an idiot.
We went back into the dining room
just as a loud knock came at the front
door. Maisie opened it herself to admit
a man carrying a heavy case.
is this the curtains or the dinner
service?" she inquired.
THE curtains, mum. The dinner
service is coming by special messenger
this evening. And Nj. Barker sent his
respects, num-. and says the new bed
steadS and the drawing room carpet
will be sent up by a van in the NOM
ing"
l felt like murder, ard when the man
came out he must have seen 1t In my
eye, for he hurried off the step.
Look here" I said, IF you value
you life get out Of the road as fast as
your legs will let You"
Jack" half screamed Maisie.
go on, O set Of thieves!" 1 roarad
like an Infatuated bull, and the mar
went out.
l banged the hall door SO that the
glass panes ratified, ounce into tlls
study and bolted the door, knowing
that it was the safest thing I could do.
1 sat there for half an hour until I
heard the housematd's squeaky voice
telling me through the keyhole that
Godfrey Stretton had called to see me.
The next he was in my
room, I poured my troubles into his
ear. When 1 had finished he got up
and crossed to where I was sitting.
jack he said firmly, has it ever
struck you that you're a selfish
hound?"
II say, Geoff, old man, the jokes q
bit ill-timed, isn't it,"
II mean what I say" he replied with
out a smile. Don't you know what Is
the matter with Malsie-Mrs. Tomlin-
son I mean?"
"Candidly, I don't" 1 said. Though
now you come to mention it. her moth
er died in a lunatic asylum"
My dear Jack, it's Increasingly
a slow place like this all day, with
carce a friend and only the servanta
to talk to-. Latterly you have taken to
remaining to your club all hours Of the
night"
"Show Maisie hat you care for her
that she is the best little girl in the
world. Take her out, study her wantR
in eyerything-in short, set to work to
make her married life really happy,
and begin operations by taking her for
a fortnight's holiday second honey
moon"
But it is impossible. I'm go busy
just now"
Yet you've spent seventeen hours at
the club since last Sunday"
Three weeks later Geoff looked in to
welcome us back from our trip to
Scotland. Perhaps he detected a look
in my face which gave my secret away;
at any rate, he knaw the result of his
advice before I told him.
S you've enjoyed yourself, JACKIE"
he asked.
Never had a better time in my life,
old man. Nor did I aver realize before
what a splendid little companion Mai
sic really is. Haven't seen a shade of
temper on her face all the time, and
the tradesmen ave begun to breathe
again"
I'm glad of that. I knew 1 was
right, after all"