The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-03-17

.ure that must be exciting, Tom," say
ing which, she opened the letter "Oh,
go on, go on open it! open It! read
II. read it," Tom yelled in frenzy.
You'll know all about it them"
why Tom" she cried, don't get
excited. don't want to read the old
thing"
she closed the letter, and was 60
ing to relinquish it when olfactory or.
gans were aroused. Scented" she
exclaimed Altar of roses! Oh,
Tom, ! must see what sort Of bust
ness man uses altar of roses!" She
laughed lightly and once more opened
the object OF contention.
Tom was at the end of his wits; but
that is where they are sharpest.
Look OUT a mouse." She gave one
scream and sprang upon a chair,
dropping-he made a grab for it
the letter No, it was but the enve.
lope. The letter she still retained.
oh. where did it go, Tom?" she
screamed.
Il don't know" he said disgustedly.
Here, I'll help you down He es-
ayed to assist her, reaching for he
pistle at the same time NO, dear,
m stay mp here. You know I'm ter
f,'v arrrid of mice" She smiled
Here l. your old letter about the
i'- Did ! tease him then?' It
or in her hand, and was almost
.r hi g p when her eye caught one
word "Do~'iDg." she exclaimed, and
matched the letter back. She looked
closer What woman would not?
Daring Toni" She gazed at him as
founded, as seeing all was up, ne stag
gered to a chair, grasping the even
ing paper, in which he buried his
head
In an accusing voice she read the
letter aloud. Thanks so much for the
dozen of champagne and the barrel OF
oysters"
"Oysters!" she gasped, Il haven't
had an oyster this season, not even
in a stew"
She resumed You evidently knew
my little weakness
"Humph," she said, her little weak.
ness! Eats a barrel Of oysters and
talks about her little weakness!"
She raised her eyes to heaven, that
is. the ceiling, but finding no consola.
ton there, she returned to the letter.
Come round to my dressing room
at eight o'clock"
oh" she snorted, dressing room
indeed" yours to a cinder A Gin
der! Well she's pretty warm! Tot
tie Lovejoy-oh, the creature! Tottie
Lovejoy! A barrel of oysters for Tot
tie Loveioy!
Nov, Tom Norton" she said stern
ly, what have you got to say for
yourself?"
Making a mighty mental effort, he
pulled himself together, and rose.
You mean, what have | got TO say
for him." he asserted, with we'll
feigned composure.
For him." she exclaimed.
Yes, the other fellow" he retorted.
What other fellow?" she asked.
why the other Tom Norton he
replied. Don't you know that l have
double in this town, who looks just
like me, same name as mine?"
oh" she cried, what a beautiful
whopper"
His look of panied surprise at her
incredulity was almost convincing,
even to himself. What? Don't believe
me?" he demanded.
Would you believe me if such a
thing happened to me?" she asked
"Of course l should" he replied
with mendacious candor. Husband
and wife should have implicit conf
dence in each other"
This had been one of her lifelong
maXims, and the shot went home.
We'll" she said, how did this let
ter come to you?"
"Oh, he returned glibly, 81 get all
the other fellows bills and things;
and Clara, I didn't like to tell you
about it before; you know | hate to
worry you dear, but that fellow has
been round collecting money in my
name"
oh, Toni" she exclaimed, was it
much?"
We'll, it was quite a bit" he re-
piled.
Then" she asserted, that must be
the reason we couldn't afford the new
dining room clock!"
Such a surmise on her part was
providential, as it accounted for the
$500 he had dropped at poker last
week
Good for you" he cried; You've .
guessed right the first time So you
see, dear, how unpleasant it has all
been for me-"
A glance at the torn letter recalled
him to himself, and he consulted his
watch. Great Scott | must be go
ing" he exclaimed THE Office you
know. have an important deal oni"
In steel rails, dear?' she remind,
ed him
'Eh?" he calculated, with start,
Continued on Page Eight.