Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-04-07

cotton brokers, Bob Denver was COM
PEELED to spend several weeks each |
year 'on the road while the resident
senior partner looked after the New
York end of the business.
Now, the aforesaid Bob was ben
edict of some two years standing, and
supposed to be still enamored Of his
wife, who before her marriage had
been the lively and popular Madge
Herring.
Under these circumstances 1t irked
the junior partner that he must per-
force leave his pretty spouse alone in
the city-the term being understood
literally, for relatives she had none.
Not that he distrusted her for a
single, solitary moment, but he really
feared that she would be dull as well
as lonely.
$50 before he kissed her good-by 1t
was understood that IL their rather
elderly mutual friend. Dave Atchison,
wealthy New Yorker, should occa-
sionally invite Mrs. Denver to theater
or opera, or even to dinner some
where, there would be no harm in her
acceptance under the circumstances.
"All of which fell out exactly as
planned, Atchison proving a very gal
liant and charming substitute. He was
not too mature; he was q good spend
| err and above all things delighted In
being seen out and about with a
young and pretty woman.
- a.. fwrso rrfr1 o
| Mrs. Madge was otherwise than per
fectly nice and entirely proper But
she loved those excursions into the
gay uptown life which dear Bob
could not as yet AFFORD, and so she
saw no harm in letting Atchison en-
tertain her, especially since Bob him
self was wise thereto.
zone day-it was late in November
returning from a spin to Yonkers In
Atchison's car, she shivered slightly
as they whizzed through the park and
her companion remarked:
Next time you'd better wear your
furs'
"Madge made little pout behind
her veil, saying while pointing to a
shabby stole that had done duty since
the previous season:
"'This is all have
David Atchison was a man OF few
words, so he merely grunted. But In
stead of turning into Fifty-fourth
street, wherein the Denvers lived. he
kept right down the avenue. stopping
finally outside New York's 'classiest
furrier's. In silence he helped heI
to the sidewalk and led the way with
In the plate glass doors.
"'Set of furs for this lady, he an
nounced. tersely, to the salesman
best you've got
: "Why Mr.. Atchison!' expostulated
| Madge, in an undertone, her cheeks
, afiame. What-indeed Il couldnt
, think of allowing you to do such 9
: thingl'
THAT'S all right growled Dave
patting her shoulder. Pay me bach
] some day, you know, II you want to.
"Madge's mind was in a whirl. II
| a trice she was being fitted with ons
! costly garment after another-seal
r sable. Persian lamb, mink; half-length
, three-quarter length, full length
| coats, capes, stoles and muffs. Neve
was woman so bedeviled. What will
I her bewilderment and her passionat'
e love Of rich and pretty things, sh
: hesitated-and we all know what hap
pens to the lady who hesitates.
+ "In the end she walked out Of tn
|. store and into the motor again clal
t in an elegant three-quarter lengt
coat of real sable, with boa and mui
I to match, for which, in privase II
+ terview with the salesman, David A
/ Gibson had exchanged check e,
o pressed In four figures.
) "Her only renonstrance was: TT
r sure Bob will be dreadfully angry T
which Atchison returned, with quie
Il laugh, 'Perhaps-but why tell him?'
1 ".Oh, but / mustl' almost waile
Il Madge, they're far too handsome fo
J. me, anyway
Nonsense was her companion
r rejoinder. sNothing's too good fc
r, you. Where's your God-given w
A. mans WITT Don't ladies sometime
n save something out OF their hous
It keeping money! And he chuckled 9
: that Madge herself had to laugh.
o "Well, Mrs. Denver could scarcel
L sleep that night for thinking of be
Z treasures and for the next few day
o she wore them delightedly ever
n where, albeit she felt dreadful
Is guilty. Then came the. query: VIII
r would Bob say? How could she NAL
him understand? She was certain |
j. would not be pleased. And yet ST
or hated to send the furs back to Il
ie donor.
fe AT length she hit on what SCENE
t. to her a rather clever plan, althoui
r. its carrying out involved some lit
i, duplicity, but by this time she wi
,s ready to go to almost any lengths
keep her darling set Three da.
OF before Bob was due she went out OF
in afternoon about dusk wearing h
al sables; when she returned they
IT. longer draped her shapely shoulde
IN or shielded her hands.
IT. in the interim she had visited
in pawnshop over on Sixth avenue.
ceiving in exchange SIS and sm'