The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1906-12-08
JOHN WAS in LUCK
GOOD STORY, WITH NO SEM
eLANcE OF A MORAL.
Showing How Important II Is for For
0etfuI Husbands That Their
Wives Should Have Rich
and Generous Broth

ers.
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 q suspicion of tears in her
voice.
It's my birthday. and you forgot
it,"
mot at all, dear; not at all. OF
course, ! remember that. The date
escaped me for moment. OF course,
knew 1t was your birthday. You wait
and see the present 1 have ordered for
you, and you will be filed with re-
morse at having suspected me Of for.
getting. You wait"
John was a wicked prevaricator, but
his blur went"
20. John dear, what 10 it? Do tell
me-" urged his wife.
Not now" said the deceitful John.
Its q surprise, you know. BY Jove, l
must hurry down town. I've an inn
portant engagement at nine o'clock.
Wonder II / can make it,"
1t was Johns intention to stop on
his way down town and order a pres
emit 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 1t was only when he was
hanging up his hat in the hall and
his wife's voice came sweetly down
the stairs: 'Is that you, dearie?" that
the horrible fact flashed upon him. Be-
fore he could find his guilty voice
there was frou frou of skirts, and
Mrs. Horton come gliding down the
stairs and threw her arms around the
wretched mans neck with a joyful
little cry of 20, John, the present
came. 1t was just what I wanted. It
was just lovely of you"
John was bewildered, but he was Q
man or resources.
Yes" he said, Il thought you'd
Ike 1t. Er-er-where is it?"
Where is it," retorted the wife
Why, John, are you blind? Can't you
see I have it on?" And she pointed
to brooch of rubies and diamonds
which glittered on her bosom.
who the d." he growled, but the
rest Of the sentence, which went had
the cheek to send diamonds and rubies
to my wife?" was unuttered.
why. what makes you scowl so?"
inquired the surprised woman.
"Oh, nothing" was the reply. q
only thought at first it was not the
same one 1 picked out, but l see 1t
is."
Tn 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 q sec
ond.
20, how nice of you, George, to
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 q
look Of perplexity on his face. why.
-
YES" broke in John, looking the
other man threateningly in the eye: II
ordered 1t a week ago at Biffanys and
was afraid 1t would not be ready in
time. Come into the library a minute.
want to speak with you for q second
on q matter Of the greatest impor.
lance" And before the astonished
George could gather his wits he was
seized, dragged into the library and
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 OF
jewelry," said George. Not many
wives have such thoughtful and atten.
tive husbands as you have, Lorna. My
present will be up tomorrow. They
didn't have it ready to-day"
II haven't had such pleasant birth.
day in long time." said Mrs. Horton
when she retired that night. John
smiled a little wearily. for he was
tired-and had reason to BEN. 7.