The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1909-02-04

planned, land l want Beatrice to get
over 1T too. 1t will be for her good in
the long run. Besides, it makes me
Feel uncomfortable to know that she
Is always watching me in that way"
There was time not so long ago"
reminded him, when it would have
pleased you"
Yes he agreed, still looking some
what squeamish; you are right of
course, to a limited extent. I'll not
deny that. And it would affect NE
that way now only that I'm so abso-
lutely certain about her loving me-"
1T is rather selfish of you, this point
OF view." l reminded him caustically.
but don't you see,' he objected,
what a good joke it will be-"
Philip Sturgis," | demanded saw
agely, haven't your COMPOUNDED prac-
teal jokes, as you call them, made
you enough enemies already? The
fellows at the club have all been hop
Ing your marriage would cure you Of
that silly habit. Practical joking has
never gained you one friend 1t has
made you many enemies and has cool
ed the feelings of more than one friend
toward you"
But" he insisted with the air of
man who is unconvinced, this is
harmless
'It is not harmless" l rejoined. ''It
is the most cruel attempt at joke
have ever known Of your perpetrating,
and it makes me very angry with you
to think that you should propose max
ing your wife, whom you ought to
love above all others in the world the
victim Of it.
Philip Sturgis and l went our ways
with no words ON our lips. knew
that his proposed action was nothing
short of hameful though he obsti-
nately refused to admit. even to him
self. as | could see, what he must have
known in the bottom Of his heart all
the time
When man is IN dilemma he
will, as rule. make cOnhdant OF
his wife and get her advice. This was
my course Of action. ! have not lived
with Edith for going on to four years
without learning that her qualities OF
perception, as regards affairs in which
the workings Of the human heart are
involved. are inestinlably superior to
mine. | was convinced Of that when
I was led to propose. There is as
much difference between her and me
xl,s, Is H,nfv an
the sun and the moon.
told her the simple story of Philip
Sturgis' despicable plot and found her
quite as indignant as | had been. 1t
this had not been the case should
have been greatly surprised. And. once
| enlisted in the cause. Edith remains
forever it's faithful adherent. l was
not little elated, then. when | saw
that her quick and active feminine
brain was at work to devise plan OF
fitting punishment for the man who
could, in the name Of practical Joking.
so baSely treat his young and loving
wife.
AS the direct result of my confer
ence with Edith she and | walked
across the street TO the modest resi-
dence OF the Stur@ises the next day
immediately after Philip had boarded
| the in town trolley Mrs. Sturgis an
swered our ring and pleasantly invited
us TO come In. We came. we talked.
and we conquered.
After exposing the full sum OF her
| husbands villainy we had hard time
| Of It to bring Beatrice to treat him as
| he deserved. and do not think now
| that the punishment WAS at all com
mensurate with the magnitude OF the
| offense.
Even before we had left the tele-
| gram came. 1t read:
| Beatrice:
Have gone to Salem to see Felice.
perfect dear Particulars later.
PHILIP.
Beatrice rose to the occasion. She
looked at my wife. and there was In
| dignatiOn in her eyes.
"a perfect dear" she shifted, with
the same poise of head that had ad
mired on the golf links. Her self as
| SeftNeueSS WAS again SOAAAA5 ~ ~AA>
fore. Yes. | will do as you suggest
Mrs. Blakely." she announced, WITH
determination.
Think" | urged her, how muct
worse you would feel If you had no.
been warned in advance about this tel
egram and enlightened by us as to tnt
meaning of its contents.
II will cure him Of practical joking
now and forever" she answered vlgor
ously. with much OF my wife's manner
about her.
We had all the next day to make oul
preparations. and very thoroughly W.
made them, the three Of us chuckilnl
meanwhile at the prospect OF success
our curative little plot promised. W.
had not expected Philip to return De
fore 6 O'Clock, but at AGO Beatrice
~lancing from the window. uttered
| little shrek of dismay to see his tall
tweed clad figure swing easily iron
the trolley at the corner,
IN in