The Washington times., 1906-12-16

said his wife.
She picked up the paper again, and
regarded hiEl furtively. Then she
bent over it. and slowly scanned the
pages. untH a sudden horrited gasp
drove the roses from Mr.. Pinner's
cheek and prepared him for the worst.
''WOt Is III" he stammered.
Mrs Pinner folded the paper back
and. motioning him to silence. read as
follows:
"A violent assault was committed
last night on a policeman down at
Mapping. who was knocked down by
seafaring man until he got cOncussion
of the brain. The injured constable
states that ne can Identify the man
what attacked him. and has given a
fun description of him al the police
station. where search Is now being
made for i'm. The public houses are
BENG watched"
lilo. are they?' commented Mr. Pin
uer, much annoyed. N'Ho. indeed
That's all" said bis wife, putting
down the paper.
AM echoed the indignant fireman
"Ow much more do you want? I'm
M nice ole, / don't think Seems
70 ne 1 might as well be in quod as
ere"
You don't know when you're well
or, TetOrJed his wife.
Mr.. Primer sighed, and moved aim
iessly about the room; then he re-
sumed his chair, and, shaking his
head slowly. lit his pipe.
You'll be quite safe indoors" said
his wife, whose plan was now per
iected, The only thing is, peopleu
wonder what you're staying indoors
all day for"
Mr.. Pinner took his pipe out Of his
mouth and stared at her blankly.
Seems 10 ne YOU want a reason for
staying indoors" she pursued
Wei. I've got enc. amt -" said
the injured man
" esq but you can't tell them that"
said his wife. You want a reason
EN- from talking"
Yes. all very fine for you 10 talk"
said Mr.. Pinner; If you could think OF
"a reason il 'ud be more sensible"
Airs. Piuner. who had 80, several
re-uy assumed an air OF deep
taOughtfulness. and softly scratched
Her cheek with her needle.
.'NhiteWash the kitchen ceiling" she
said. suddenly.
'"Ow long would that take2" de
manded her lord. who was not fond
of WhiJeWashing.
"Tlen you cOulG put a bit of paper
ia tlls room" continued Mrs Pinuer
and put them shelves in the corner
what YOU said you'd DO. That would
take some time"
1t would" agreed Mr., Pinner, eye
ing her disagreeably-
And I was thinking" said his wife
-if 1 cot "a sugar box from the groc-
er's and two pairs o. wheels YOU could
make the baby nice little peram-
buIator."
Seems to me- began the aston
isled Air PinneT.
While you're doing those things i'll
Try and think Of some more, inter
rupted his wife
3Ir. Primer stared at her for some
tiuse in silence; finally he said
'Thanke ee." in a voice slightly tinged
with emotion. and fell into a suIlen
rcverie
It's the safest plan" urged his
wife seriously; there's so many
things want doing that it's the most
natural thing in the world for YOU to
stay indoors doing them. Nobodyu
think il strange"
She stitched on briskIy and watched
her husband from the corner Of her
eye He smoked on for some time
and rising at last with a sigh. sent her
out for the materials, and spent the
day whitewashing.
He was so fatigued with the un-
wonted eXertiOn that he was almost
content 10 stay in that evening and
smoke; but the following morning was
so bright and inviting that his con-
fiuement appeared more CALLING than
ever Hoping for some miracle that
should rescue him from these sOrdid
tasks, he sent ont for another paper.
1T don't say much about it," said
his wife.
The baby was crying. the breakfast
things were not washed, and there
were several other hindrances TO jour
ualistic work.
Read it," said the fireman, sternly.
The injured constable" read Mrs.
Pinner. glibly, 'is still going on salts
factory, and the public houses are still
being watched"
They do seem fond o. them public
houses" remarked Mr. Pinner, impa-
tieutIy. I'm glad the chaps getting
or all right, but I ope e won't be
about afore I get to sea again"
81 shouldn't think he would, said
his wife. I'D better go out and get
the wallpaper. 'adn't /? What color
would you like?"
Mr.. Pinner said that all wallpapers
were alike to him, and INDUCED I'm
dreary speculations a to where the
money was 10 come from. Mrs. PIN
uer. who knew that they were saving
fast owing to his enforced seclusion,
smiled al his misgivings.
lie papered the room that day after
a few choice observations on the price
of wallpaper, and expressed his opin-
ion that IN a properly governed coun-~
try the birth of administered police
men would be rendered an impossible
ity. To the compliments on his work
manship bestowed by the gratihed
Mrs. Pinner he turned a deaf ear.
There was nothing in the paper next
morning Mrs. Primers invention be
ing somewhat faugued. but she
promptly queled her husbands joy
bv suggesting that the police author
ities were lying low In the hope of
mlling him into a sense of false Sc
curity She drew such an amusing