Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-07-09
Married by
Accident
A Man Wins a Wife by Getting Into
the Wrong House.
By REGINALD D. HAVEN
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

On - street Is block OF ten
houses. every house exactly like every
other house. once lived In ono OF
these houses. aud | never went home
but | ran a risk OF getting into the
wrong house.
In the fourth house was a young
lady whose appearance especially ad-
mired. considered her very pretty.
aud she was certainly very stylish.
Now. that's just the girl ! would
like for wife," used TO say when
saw her going into or coming out OF
her home
Ono afternoon | went home, aud,
finding the front door ajar, ! walked
In. put my hat and overcoat In the hall
closet aud went upstairs TO sitting
room on the second floor. The room
was shut In by brick walls, and l sell
dom sat there without turning on the
light. Being tired. | threw myself into
an easy chair and. closing my eyes. sat
thinking on a matter of business that
had occurred during the day. Present
ly. hearing footstep and looking up.
saw woman's figure standing IN the
doorway. There was not enough light
TO distinguish who she was. but was
not long kept In ignorance. She press
ed button beside the door. and
bright electric light showed me the
girl who lived two doors from me.
How is thisi" / stammered. Have
got into the wrong housef"
81 expect you have" replied the girl.
Pardon me. assure you had no
idea I'm very careless"
At that moment heard the front
door close The girl heard 1t, too, and
changed countenance.
Good gracious. my auntw she ex-
claimed.
"Well?
ut is very unfortunate your being
here. She 10 very suspicious wo-
man"
II see II would grleve me terribly
TO have her thing
Dear me. she's coming up herew
Can get out without meeting
herY'
mo. Go In there"
She shut me up In n large closet, and
the next minute | heard the harsh
voice of an old woman in the adjoin-
ing room.
Lois" she said severely. that young
man you admire so much who lives In
this block is IN this house. | was sit
ting In Mrs. Deacon's window. next
door. and saw him come up and walk
In at the front door. What are you
doing IN this room with all this light
turned on:"
why. Aunt Jane you must be mis-
taken"
Mistaken. DO you think haven't
eyes: Oh. heavens. Lois. Can IL be
possible that you are-are wicked.
bad girl? Upon my word. believe
you are hiding a lover. I'm going TO
have a look
She made for the only place In the
room possible for conceament--th
closet-and had her hand on the door
knob when heard a slight scuflie and
the young lady said:
Aunt Jane. before you open that
door ! wish TO say something TO you.
have been deceiving you. | have been
wooed and won clandestinely by the
young man you have referred to. He
is In that closet"
! must hasten 10 protect the honor of
one | had compromised by my stupid
ity. flung open The door. put my arm
around the girl who had been driven to
this falsehOUd. threw back my head
proudly and said dramatically:
mo powe. on earth shall separate
me from my wife"
We'll. ! declare" exclaimed the old
lady.
My reputed wife buried her face In
her hands. whether because the seri-
BUSINESS OF the matter had occurred to
her or whether TO conceal laughter at
its absurdity did not know.
do you mean 10 say" continued the
old lady TO me. that you are married
to my DieceY
There would be no use In mincing
matters. swore that was her niece's
husband.
And you. Lois" continued the aunt
fare you really married TO himg"
A faint "yes" came from under the
girls hands.
well. well. well. How you two
young people could have done your
counting without my finding you out
is remarkable. How did you manage
III"
Love laughs AT locksmIths." l said
knowingly. not having any explanation
ready.
II should think So" said the aunt
impressiycly. How long have you
been married."
| didn't dare risk an answer to this
question. fearing 10 be caught In
trap. threw the burden on my bride.
Lois. dear" | said. tell your aunt
all about t. She VIII he more forgiv-
ing at getting the story from one she
loves. Or would you prefer sitting
down with her alone and talking IL all
over with herr"
II think ! would like TO have little
time" stammercd Lois family.
uAud I fNfnk I xrant tho r,shoia eforv