The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-07-10
THE RESULTS
 OF A JOKE
toriEinAll

many friends that he was finally ro- duced to but one man. who stuck to him. This was Albertus Whiteright whiteright was an exemplary young man with an exemplary young wife. The Whiterlghts were members Of St Andrews church, and Burt was ai- ways on hand Sunday nights to show strangers to seats and pass the plate. Mrs. whiteright before her marriage had made lt an indispensable condition that the man she married should be good churchman. and as she eonsid- 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. Whiteright 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 whlterighS about 10 o'clock. and, though be re- malned till l2. the husband did not re- turn.
 sYou needn't look for Burt till 3 o'clock in the morning" said Tom.
 "why notr' 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 or annual gathering given by the Cerele Franchise Is a masquerade composed of clements and productive of antics ren' derlng it an unit place for one occupy ing high place in the church. MS Whlteright looked shocked and was about to make an indignant reply when she remembered Toms procliv' lty for faceuousness. She simply looked grave and said nothing. Shaf- 10. seeing that the lady declined 10 be jollicd on SO serious a subject, turned it and began to talk of other matters. Soon after he took his leave.
 At 8 In the morning Whiteright put bis 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 thls timei"
 "It ls a wife's duty to bear her hus- bands burdens with him. If you must work so late. l decline to rest In luxurious bed"
 Its very lovely of you. but unneccs- sary"
 what was the nature of your work tonight"
 "An error in the cash. was obliged to find lt 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 ballT whiteright started.
 "Yes"
 "what do you know about the French ballg"
 "I know that 1t Is an improper ball for my husband to attend"
 "Ig My dear. so you accuse me Of such a thingY
 T have been told that you were there."
 whlteright caught at the back of 8 chair for support.
 Who told you such a thingT'
 cone of your intimate friends"
 "H.h-how d-did be knowP
 That dOesn't matter. Burt, I am ashamed of you. a man of your posi- ton. And to think that you should have so deceived me! shall never have any confidence in you again
 Mrs. whlterlght took out her hand kerchief, wiped her eyes and. rising went upstairs. There was weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth be- tween the Whlterlghts not only that night, but for nights and days to come.
 The next afternoon Shafto saw Whiterlght coming down the street and had a joke ready for hlm. What was his surprise to see whiteright pass him with his head In the air. Shafto bur rled after hlm.
 What in the worlds the matter. Burt? Have you gone blind"
 q have always supposed" replied the other angrily. that you had the de cency not to give a man away to his own wife"
 "I give you away to your wifei I never did any such thing"
 You did it last night"
 Last night? HowT'
 "You informed my wife that was at the French ball"
 "You at the French ball? Who would believe that you would go to such a place? Certainly not 1. Now l remem- Der did say something of the sort as a joke"
 -Joke or no Joke. was at the French ball. was masked. and no one would have known it if it hadn't been for your contemptlble give away. Good morning"
 And with a snort Whiterlght broke away from Shafto. and their friendship came to a termination.
 The end is not yet Mrs. whiteright, who had a conscience Ike a poker, decided that her husband was not in a spiritual condition to go to the com munion table. All her troubles were divided Into two classes. the one for her doctor. the other for her pastor. This was for her pastor. She conhded the whole affalr to him. The pastor Invited the delinquent to his study. and told him that the oIense must