The sun., 1909-06-06

With her fingers TO her lips Mrs. Neii'
joined her husband. who had just entered,
leaning lovingly on his arm.
Presently Mr.. F!ewcomb, our pro-
behind the safe and beckoned to me.
What kind Of a game are those dam
Neiffs trying to work on me, Spihen?,,
he demanded, when we we're alone and
locked within the myteries Of his inner
most shrine.
'what?' ! .blurted: gazing stupefied
at stack Of twenty dollar geld piece.
mean
Il Just do mean.' he retorted .Coun-
terfeits every one Of them, sent back from
the bank with the sting Of a sharp inquiry.
She's been feeding them out every dav FOR
the last week. lwon't stand for IL. Snifen
not little bit. II it hadn't been for you
and the other old softies whom they have
Here I broke in. pleading SO vigor-
ously that it must be dreadful mis-
take. that they were kind, good folks
even il little slow and slack, that II
he would only not saw anything about
it, would only leave il TO me-. I would
for any loss meanwhile, that at length
our Jove nodded assent.
very we'll" he agreed: -I'n wait
for two days. and them" He shook
his head portentously; and the mental
thunders rolled.
Ordinarily 1t was with pleasant anticipa-
tions that called on the Neiffs, so sure was
OF an ELUSIVE welcome. even though 1t
meant promised theatre tickets and ca
ioled On bs; but nov felt like Death rap
pin q at the bridal chamber
Indeed the scene inside was fitted Ia
rouse compunctions The floor was be-
strewn with string, tissue paper unbroken
packages and broken boxes. Before the
large mirror Louise was trying on an
impossible new hat. Lem was adjusting
hashy tie with a flasher pin at the
smaller glass OF the bureau.
Come in, come int cried Louise, "and
sit any old where; we don't mind you.
Looks like Christmas, doesn't it' Well l
guess! It comes all the time now. See
what Lem bought me this afternoon at
Gouquin 8; isn't it screamer?- She held
up the fowery tub. Now. isn't he just
the duckieet dear?'
II you could see all the glad rags she
has been shipping to me, Sniffen.' said
Lem. you'd think that also had struck
ii rich
'Oh. that reminds me- interposed
Louise. her head on one side In a captivat-
ing way familiar to me. y came very near
forgetting. Mr.. sninen, to give you the
chance to take dozen tickets for those
embroidered doilies am going to rafYie
Off. Only a dollar apiece. and no such
work, IL say Il myself-'
Louise. darling protested Lem.
-You are right. ducky, you are per-
fectly right; don't need to do that. thank
goodness, since
-sinoe9' repeated pointedly.
DO let mo tell him, darling; he never
will peep. and our news is too good to
keep bottled
Just as my news is too bad to keep
III It's about that twenty you were
20 kind as to let me have the other day,
5nitfen. take pleasure in returning 1t
low,' said Lem. and I'll be blest II he
iidn't hand over another new bright
gold piece to me.
That was too much for sanity without
he relief of revelation. l broke my
tidings TO them as gently as possible,
out even at that the shock was go terrific
IA TO send the tub, the tie and the pin
% the floor and the white faced pair into
sach others arms.
Mercy. counterfeits!- moaned Louise.
Why, wen have the whole secret service
Down upon us. ducklng There's Gouqun
alone. to whom you gave three Of them
He has never liked me since l returned
he hat he said he saw me wearing at the
opera the night before
.Flewoomb Is hot enough about that
old dog OF balance without having
! stack Of pewters to cash in." muttered
Lem. darkly. Il see my finish all right, |
al right. This will sure queer me with
.he. Arm when they hear Of it. Illbe down
and out"
oh, and gave one Of them to Florence
Bullion this morning" broke In Louise.
I thought abe might have waited longer,