The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-02-05

A little after the usual time Matthew
left the Office for home. More from
force Of habit than anything else he
bought an evening paper, but he found
himself unable to make sense of a line
OF il. His eyes wandered to his fel-
lOw-travelers in the railway carriage
Did any of them anticipate domestic
storms? Had any of them wandered
in similar fashion from the path OF
rectitude and purchased a few hours
Of enjoyment at the price he was pay
ing?
The train drew up at HOrnsey and
Matthew found himself one of a crowd
filtering out of the station. If only at
hat moment he might be lost to sight
for evermOre! When a married mar
did disappear in that way, was not his
wife usually the cause?
He reached his ~garden-gate and
glanced turtively at the house. Mary
was invisible. He screwed up courage
and mounted the steps. The house
maid opened the door to him.
Is yOur mistress in?'
"Upstairs in her room, sir. She'll
be down directly"
He placed hat and papers on the hat
stand Never had he entered his house
with such a peculiar feeling before. It.
was as though he had no right there,
and the next moment would see him
violently elected into the street.
He passed into the dining-room and
was fishing under the sofa for his Slip
1\pJc Whnn hic Wifn onfn,.nl IL,
screwed up courage to look her in the
face. It's expression confirmed his
worst fears.
YOU'RE home" she laconically re-
marked.
Yes. Things all gone well, Mary?"
Not at all. Are you ready for din
ner?"
when I've found my other slipper
you're late" continued Mrs. Pei
grove, Dinners been kept back a
quarter of an hour, and you know how
cross it makes cook. have something
serious to say to you after it."
Personally, Matthew would have
preferred having the matter out before
the meal; it would act like a night
mare on his digestion. But he sat
obediently up to the table and feigned
interest in the viands, maintaining for
appearance sake when the servant was
present a flow of small talk, to which
his wife shortly replied.
The meal ended and, folding up her
scrviette, Mrs. Pelgroye planted her
elbows on the table. Her husband
recognized the omen and trembled.
Had a successful little trip, Mat
thew"
Yes, very-thank yOui"
You don't seem up to the mark to-
night"
"A trihing headache. Travelling, you
know, does shake one up a bit. That
reminds me. I've left my p~ortmanteau
at the office"
She made no comment. Matthew
played with a sa%lt-spoon. He could
not possibly meet her gaze.
I've been dreadfully put out, Mat
thew. I discovered on S~aturday-oh,
it's too awful to speak about"
The blow was coming, and P~elgrove
turned hot all over. Mary was clearly
iloIbiIS CLOG II. LII a l1olllelll Lie
storm would break in all it's violence
and a poor mar who had done wrong
and knew it would go down before the
blast.
Il was sitting at this window quiet
ly. sewing on Saturday morning, when
an open fly drove by. Mr.. and Mrs.
Needham Smith were in it, and the
coachman had a pile OF luggage beside
him. But what do you think Mrs
Smith had on her head?"
I'm sure / don't know, repiieG
Matthew, puzzled, yet relieved. Some.
thing absurd, l suppose. A yachting
cap?'
mo, Matthew; worse than that!
Just think of the horror of it! A hal
the precise image of my new one
Wasn't it a shock for me-"
Pelgrove saw daylight struggling
through.
Really" he exclaimed, excitedly
Where were they going?"
Il didn't know at the time, but the
grocer's man told me afterwards
They were off to spend a week a
Hastings. Why. Matthew, what is thu
matter with you?"
"Nothing-nothing. was just think
ing what a burning shame about tina
hat. Mrs. Needham Smith has COPIED
it. ! suppose. Now l remember, sh'
had hair much the same color a!
yours, and thought perhaps it nigh
suit her.
1T doesn't, Matthew. She looks alb
solutely hideous in it. Oh, it's a scan
dial! I've not stirred from the hous,
since; / was SO upset. / shall neve.
speak to that woman again. You ar,
not laughing?"
Rather not! I'm just as put out a
you, Mary. When I've bought you
nice thing. it's too bad to find it imi
tated. What a pity for you womel
there isn't a law of copyright in hats!
He felt like a school-boy again. s.
it was Mrs. Needham Smith who ha,
given him the fright at Hastings
and she and her husband ha
been his visitors at the hotel. Now
fortunately. relations between thei
4 &Fa1 $40