Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1906-10-25
JOHN WAS IN LUCK
GOOD STORY, WITH NO SEM
BLANCE OF A MORAL.
Showing How Important II lie for For.
getful Husbands That Their
Wives Should Have Rich
and Generous Broth

John, DEAR" remarked Mrs. Horton
across the breakfast table, do you
know what day this is?"
why, yes" replied John; 'It's the
-the-why, it's Thursday, of course.
Hang it--where's that calendar"
20, don't mean that" replied the
wife, with suspicion OF tears in her
voice.
Its my birthday, and you forgot
it,"
mot at all, dear; not at all. or
course, | remember that. The date
escaped me for moment. OF course,
/ knew 1t was your birthday. You wait
and see the present have ordered for
you, and you will be filed with re-
morse at having suspected me of for
getting. You wait"
John was wicked prevaricator, but
his bluff went"
20, John dear, what Is It.? DO tell
me-" urged his wife.
mot now" said the deceitful John.
ITS surprise, you know. BY Jove,
|smust hurry down town. I've an i'm
portant engagement at nine o'clock.
Wonder If l can make it?"
1t was Johns intention to stop on
his way down town and order pres
ent for his wife; but, becoming en-
crossed in his paper. he was so far
| down town before he realized 1t that
he concluded to go on to the office.
| and then to visit some jeweler later
in the day.
There was an unusual amount of
business to be attended to that day,
and Johns mental and physical re-
sources were taxed to the utmost Nat
urally he forgot all about the birthday
present, and it was only when he was
hanging up his hat in the hall and
his wife's voice came sweetly down
the stairs: rs that you, dearie?" that
the horrible fact flashed upon him. Be.
fore he could find his guilty voice
there was a frou frou of skirts, and
Mrs. Horton come gliding down the
stairs and threw her arms around the
wretched mans neck with joyful
little cry of 20, John, the present
came. 1t was just what I wanted. 1t
was just lovely Of you"
John was bewildered, but he was a
man or resources.
YES" he said, II thought you'd
like it. Er--er-where Is it?"
where is it?" retorted the wife
Why, John, are you blind? Can't you
see have 1t on?" And she pointed
to brooch of rubies and diamonds
which glttered on her bosom.
who the d." he growled, but the
rest of the sentence, which went "hat
the cheek to send diamonds and rubies
to my wife?" was unuttered.
why, what makes you scowl SOP
inquired the surprised woman.
"Oh, nothing" was the reply. 81
only thought at first it was not the
same one / picked out, but l see II
is"
I'm the evening Mrs. Horizons rich
brother called AS soon as his name
was announced John gave a gasp and
jumped at the solution of the mys
terry of the birthday present in a sec
ond.
| W lOW HUG VI yOu, bcOTBt,
come on my birthday. See what a
beautiful present John gave me-" was
Mrs. Horizons first greeting to her
brother.
THAT" replied the brother, with a
look of perplexity on his face. why
L"
YES" broke in John, looking the
other man threateningly in the eye; 81
rdered 1t week ago at Biffany's and
was afraid 1t would not be ready In
time. Come into the library minute
| want to speak with you for a second
on a matter of the greatest impor
lance" And before the astonishet
George could gather his wits he was
seized, dragged into the library ant
the door shut behind him.
IF you give me away, I'll murder
you" whispered John. Mrs. Horton
could hear her husbands voice pitched
low and speaking earnestly behind the
closed door
That's really very pretty piece o
jewelry," said George. mot man!
wives have such thoughtful and atten
tive husbands as you have, Lorna. M!
present will be up tomorrow. The!
didn't have it ready to-day"
81 haven't had such pleasant birth
day in long time" said Mrs. Horton
when she retired that night. Johl
smiled a little YEARLY, for he wa
tired-and had reason to BEN. Y
Press.
English Women the Tallest.