Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-25

loWnsends quiet entrance, nor The frou-frou Of
her draperies she came down the hall. She
stood transixed with terror her deep-black ewes
rlveted upon the apparition in her husbands
chair. A tall, back-whskered gentleman, Of
studious aspect, supported her with his arm.
Why Felicia. old girl, how are you?" exclaim-
ed Mr. Townsend, jumping from his seat and rush.
ing to greet her with outstretched arms. But
Mrs. Townsend shranl back in terror, and threw
herself convusively in the arms of her compan.
ion.
"Felicial Felicial what is the matter? Don't
you know me?" but she had tainted away in tbc
arms of the stranger
well, this is a pretty mess" commented tho
returned husband. The other man was chafnc
his wne's hands and calling her by endearinp
names, while Kate Kamp poured cold water on
her face VI
who the devil are you, anyway?' he burst
out .ts,: at last; ~
Sir, said the stranger dropping Mrs. Town.
SENDS limp hand and Strengthening himself up-
SIT, am Or. Ovid McSwiggin, and am engaged
TO be married to the lady; and now will YOU tel
me who the devil you are"
Mel Why, am Mr.. Stephen Townsend. and
have already married the lady,"
We'll, my dear sir" replied DR.. Ovid McSwip
GIN, not in the least disconcerted-"mv dear s;r
all can say is that there is a mistake somewbero
ana IL up to you and the special coroner appoint.
ed ed by his Excelency the Mandarin of the Chin
Song district of Upper Tartary to prove where
the error lies" e'0
"Ah, see" said Mr.. Tovnsend ,,ool.1,, .1 -
L am officially dead.'
Exactly" returned Dr. Ovid McSwiprin.
ana What did you say was the name cf the
place where l-where my demise occurredp"
Dr' McSwlggin adjusted his eyeglasses which
ne wore fastened to his coat by a long gold chain,
and drew from his breast.pocket legal-lookins
document "Mr Townsend this document TUs 'rorns
you to have died on about July %, 1894, at
ZOO Chee, Chin Song district, Upper Tartarv Won
were sat upon by the Mandarn's special coroner
appointed at request of our American Consul
and you were found to have met death bv rnoams
and cause unknown"
Wei, guess I'm dead all right. don't dis.
McSwiggn." ''e'iN ~
During this cooquy the lady had revived
tnanks TO the housekeepers ministrations. She
opened her eyes just in time TO see her b,sh.nJ
and her iance bite off the ends of two fat blacls
cigars and exchange a lighted match with all the
amlabillty in the world "What does II ali
mean can, she gasped, looking up into Kates face
Wny, that I'm alive, that's all, Felicia" an.
tn thing like that worry you" turning once more to
Dr. hicowlgsm: III own it's no more than de-
served. | hadn't any right to expect ANYTHING
else, and I'm perfectly willing to abide by the con-
sequences ,IT and allow my wife to get divorce"
There was something suspiciousy maanan.
nous to Mrs. Townsend in Mr.. Townsend's voice
and face as he delivered himself of these contrte
WORDS OF resignation and REIMBURSEMENT She
stole glance to the housekeeper on whom her
husbands eyes rested from time to time
we can easily adjust financial matters" he
ccontinued, as he drew forth bundle of papers
from his pocket. "You will have a liberal dot
I've just heard from my lawyer who met me last
night at the pier, that old Reliable wasn't such
bad investment after all. Go ahead and Get
me-" '"ihu
But but" stammered the prostrate lady, az
have already gotten it, Stephen"
"Got WHAT"
"a divorce
"From me?"
eyes Stephen"
"Well, I'll be hanged"
well, Til be hanged" Then to his former
wife, L wish you'd tell me something about this
comic opera 2T you've been conducting while was
gone What on earth put it into your head to
advertise for red-headed housekeeper, even Il
you had gone into spiritualism?'
| Well-well, I met DR. McSwiegin. hereu
laying her hand affectionately on that gentlemans
coat seeve,-"and we grew to love each other.
ou1 wnen 1 told you | expected to marry him
you refused to release me-"
| "The deuce I wouldn't"
Nov, Stephen, don't laugh It's serious
matter. You not only refused to release me but
you would not allow me to give up these apart.
ments, where L continued to live for two wears
aiter you went away Then the idea came to me
to-to-to-to-" The lady stammered nainfuI.
ly and looked beseechingly at the housekeeper.
| TO what!" demanded the ex-husband
"Why, to hire a housekeeper to run things
here for YOU"
But why were you so particular about getting
pretty girls to look out for my comfort?"
because l wanted to make you as happy as
possible. l knew you were always crazy about
auburn hair-you remember that little"
Mrs. Townsend turned and looked at Kate. who
now sat beside her on the Couch 'I Thought"
she said-"I thaught you maybe would fall
in love with your housekeeper and forget about
me-"
| Kate Kamp blushed at this frank confession
from Mrs Townsend, and when she turned her
head to hide her confusion it was only to blush
still more painfully as she met the gaze of
pair of admring eyes fastened steadily upon her.
| "Aliss Kamp," said the owner of the ewes.
"what do you wish to do, accept me and sup
press the story, or -"
! Suppress what!" screamed Mrs Townsend.
"You don't think there's any danger of it's get.
ting into the papers"
"That all depends on Miss Kamp," replied Mr.
Townsend enigmatically, still looking eagerly at
| the girl.
"On Miss Kamp?"
eyes. Miss Kamp writes for the papers,"
"Oh Miss Kamp!" Mrs. Townsend began to
cry. "I never would have thought it of YOU |
trusted you as I would have trusted my own
sister"
"And you can still continue to trust me-" de-
| clared Kate, as she took the lady's hand and
turned significantly to the man on her other
side.
asked
| Certainly not" responded Kate
"And you'll continue housekeeping for Mr..
Ctanbao ToxuusandY" that