The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-08

out of the door the telephone bell rang
again.
Mrs. Crosby made a Wild dash and
grabbed the receiver.
'Alloa," she screamed.
"HallOa!" came the answer, in a fem
mime voice. rs that 2S4 Finchley?"
1T is" replied Mrs. Crosby.
Us Mr.. Crosby in % =
Then Mrs. Crosby thought: "Ho.
'Ere's a girl wantin' my Hatred" and
she beckcned William, and in an I'M
dertone said: Pass yourself off as Hal
fred
patient voice from the other end.
Yes" answered William.
''Is that Mr.. Crosby?"
Yes" replied his brother-in-law;
who are yOu?"
Don't you recognize the voice? I'm
Gertie"
..Ho!" muttered Mrs. Crosby. who
held the spare receiver; you're Gertie,
are you? Go on, Bill"
What do you say? Are you there,
AIfe?"
"Ho. Alfie. indeed" said Mrs. Cros-
by.
Yes, Gertie, I'm here" answered
William.
How strange your voice sounds!
suppose it's because of the telephone.
that 1 shall be in the A. B. c., in Can
non street, tonight at $50. You'll be
there, won't you, dear?"
Say yes, IDIOT muttered Mrs. Cros-
by to the hesitating- William.
Yes, dear" answered William.
t.Good-by now, Alfie, dear. I'm in a
hurry-wilI see you tonight"
s'Good-by, dear; I'll be there" an
swered William, prompted by Mrs. Cros-
by And then came the tinkle of the
ring-off.
Mrs. Crosby glared at the instru-
ment and then at William. Then she
said: Bill, I'm goin' to that A. B. c.
tonight. Ho! that's how he calls on is
precious brother, is it? I'll talk to i'm.
Halfie, dear, indeed My word; impu-
dent 'usSy. An a married man, too;
the wretch
Don't cry, 'Melia,'' said William.
"Hoi Not to cry, aren't ? What am
to do-laugh? Now, look ere, Bill;
you look up a. train to town, and Wen
go to the A. B. c.
Thus it came about that quarter
past six the indignant Mrs. Crosby,
with the sorrowful William in her wake,
swept into the A. B. c.
She gave sundry vicious glances
around, while william gave an order
for tea. Presently she fixed her eyes
on a pretty girl who was seated alone
at a table. and, by her quick glances
up every time the door opened, betray-
ed that she was waiting for someone.
And so, forthwith. Mrs. Crosby stared
malevolently at the lady in question,
until the object of her gaze began to
grow red.
"That's 'er, BILL she said to William,
IAN I'm goin' to talk to 'er." And she
went straight across to where the girl
was sitting.
..Hexcuse me- miss, but might you
be waitin' for Mr.. Hatred Crosby?"
'Er-yes,'' came the hesitating reply;
''but are you friend of his?'
Am I a friend? Ho, no; amt a
friend. I'm merely his lawful wife,
that's ALL
His lawful wife!" repeated the girl.
mechanically. Il don't understand.
You Alfred's wife?" And then. as
though she had discovered an error.
You mean Alfred's mother. don't
your"
Had Mrs. Crosby been proposed to by
the king of England she would hardly
have looked more dumbfounded.
out: "himpudent 'ussy that you are, to
be sure Him is mother, am II" and
Mrs. Crosby glared so vindictively at the
girl that the latter moved farther away
along the seat
Now, then, your baggage; what I want
to know is, what do you mean by tryin'
to take my husband away from me?"
married. Gertie replied. now on the verge
1 of tears.
i'm when he comes in, the brute
Just at that moment the doors swung
| OPEN and Gertie cried: There ne isi'
Crasping her umbrella firmly, Mrs. Cros-
l BY turned herself around laboriously, and
found herself face to face with her broth
You hererY was his polite creating