The Democratic advocate., 1908-03-06

this young lady is the young gentle
mans wife. Is it not so, my dear?'
she asked, looking up at Milly, who
blushed.
You have guessed it, madam" said
Billy, with an unaffected grin.
Fact is, we've been married for
nearly a week"
wish you joy, sir; wish you joy,
ma ami" cried the old gentleman.
"Strangest coincidence ever | met
with! You're on your honeymoon
So are we. Married."
"Oh, Sam, do be quiet!" whispered
the old lady. "The young people
aren't interested in"
"Oh, but we are!" said Milly, Are
not we Billy?"
Rather" returned Billy, dutifully.
Wont you sit beside us for a lit
tle?" said the old lady to the girl,
"Mr Wellgood, my husband, is evil
IDENTIFY determined to talk toto your
husband"
Our name is Meredith, Mrs. Well
good" said the young wife, as she
seated herself.
"And this is your golden wedding
honeymoon" said Billy.
How lovely!" murmured his wife.
That's it," cried the old gentle
man, "and we're going over the same
ground as we did SO years ago. My
wife insisted on it,
please do not believe him, my
DEAR" said Mrs. Wellgood to the girl,
with soft laugh. 'At my time of
life ] would not certainly have in
sisted on a journey all the way to
the Channel islands, and"
"Why !" exclaimed Mrs. Billy.
you really"
And we're going tomorrow, too,"
gasped the old man in high state of
excitement. "God bless my soul! was
there ever such an extraordinary CO.
incidence? Betty did you ever hear
the like of it?"
"My DEAR" returned Mrs. Wellgood
gently, "try not to tell everybody
about this coincidence, although it
is truly quite wonderful"
Stuff and nensense! | wasn't talk
ing loud, was II" said Mr.. Wellgood,
appealing to Billy.
mot at ALL SIR" Billy replied, and
proceeded to draw Mr.. Wellgood into
a conversation regarding the islands
they were on the eve of visiting. At
the same time the two wives found
something to say to each other, and
accompany her husband to the the
atre-for which they scarcely regret
ted being late-the old woman and
the young one parted in an almost
affectionate fashion.
"a sweet girl" Mrs. Wellgood re-
marked to her spouse when they
were alone. L never met a sweeter.
1t is seldom that great happiness
leaves room for thoughts for other
people, Sam
THAT young man is a sensible fell
low" Mr.. Wellgood observed" l must
have lots of chats with him."
Now, Sam. You're not to intrude
on the young people," said Mrs. Well
good quietly Remember they're on
they're on their first honeymoon"
"Of course, of course, Betty
What would you like to give them,
Sam?"
why he replied gallantly, eff 1
had my way I'd give the young man
SO years as happy as I've had myself.
And what would you give the young
woman, Betty, If you had your way?"
"Ah!" said Mrs. Wellgood, her eyes
twinkling, "it's time I stopped fiat
.tering you, my dear, so I'd just give
the young woman a few hints on the
management of husbands of from %
to 72 years of age"
Good for you, ma a'am!" chuckled
Mr.. Wellgood, as he laid down the
stump of his cigar. "But so years."
he added, with a comfortable sigh, $50
years like ours would be a great
gift. Come, Betty, and we'll take a
drive along the embankment. It's a
fine night"
In the gray dawn, few minutes
before the fog lifted, the Jersey
steamer crashed onto the sunken
rocks that have waylaid so many. The
panic, however, was a brief one. Ord
er was soon restored, and terror gave
way to gratitude when the shore
loomed out of the fog and the sailors
were seen to be lowering the boats.
The sea was moderate. There would
be discomfort, doubtless, but no dan
ger, declared some of the passengers,
and others hastily yet carefully Sc
cured their more precious belongings
Boat after boat left the steamers side
with full complement of passengers.
The Wellgoods and the Merediths
stood together, awaiting their turn
They had held back from the first
rush, and having recovered from the
shock were now discussing the pos
sibilities of shelter on reaching shore.
The last boat was at the foot of the
gangway.
1t is dreadful for you, Mrs. Well
good" said the young wife sympa-
thetical1y. "Do have this wrap"
My dear, you arr very kind" re-
turned the old lady, kissing her.
Would you mind giving it to my
husband? I'm so afraid of his get
ting cold
Stuff and nonsense!" cried Mr..
Wellgood Indignantly. "Im all right.
This accident makes the coincidence