Putnam patriot., 1913-02-28


 know where my wife is
 Mir Medders stepped forward with his hand raised to calm the General. and speaking to Harry. asked:
 "Knowest thou aught of his wife, Harry"
 T don't know what can be the matter with hiIa.' Harry evaded.
 The Count sidled toward the door into the hall, saying meekly:
 T think am going. now"
 The General ssopped him with flourish of his cane, and shouted:
 You stay right here, You may know something of this"
 Lucy now found chance to ask something
 What is 1t the man saye;h of thee, Harry" she asked.
 Before Harry could reply to her the General demanded:
 Has my wife been here today?"
 ''I can answer for him." Lucy re- piled. gently. No strange woman has been here"
 The General looked puzzled. He took of his hat. tucked his cane under his arm, and mopped his brow.
 That's remarkable" he said. My wife telephoned from this house not half an hour ago. They told me so at the millinery store down the street. stopped there to inquire for her" They must have been mistaken" Harry said. Tt is just possible that they had the number mixed. I don't believe they even know who we are here. We don't deal with them"
 Well, Harry the General said, slowly. looking from one to the other of the faces before him, and realizing that he had been in error. I'm sorry l made such an ass of myself. You don't know what it is to be worried about wife-yet. You'll pardon me. won't your"
 Why, certainly, General" Harry said, grasping his uoutstretched hand. Let bygones be bygones and all that. I know how you feel. I've been wor- ried once or twice myseif-but not about a wife,
 Well my boy, your time will come" sagely promised the General. q trust the ladies will pardon me, and you gentlemen, also" Lucy and Carolyn, MT. Medders and the Count cheerfully forgave him and he started out, when-Oh, luckless fate!-from the room where Daphne and Mrs. Blazes waited, came a sneeze. It was not stifed sneeze, it was not a weak, apologetic sneeze- ] 1t was a big. wholesouled sneeze- i sneeze that told by it's very sound that it had been held back as long as l possible and was glad to be given its liberty! The General famed into wrath, and whirled on his heel to con l front Harry.
 Hal" he exclaimed. My wife's own sneezei I'd know 1t among a million. I'd recognize her sneeze in l the midst of a battle. It's no use to bamboozle me My wife is in therel '' He leveled his cane at the door as thought about to fire volfey through the panels. Harry clutehed chair back to steady himself. Mr Medders came over to Harry slowly, waving hand at the General to inform him that he would take charge of the case from now on.
 Harry he said. seriously. What does this mean?"
 '--I don't know" Harry replied. I'm ] guessing, just aas much as anybody I else
 -Thee would not let me look 1n therel" Lucy said, accusingly.
 "Oh, Harry t"aCarolyn wept. | The Count ecbewed his mustache and trembled.
 The Generals eeyes were now blaz- ing He awaited the denouement. Harry looked at them all. Save l Carolyn he could find no sympathy l Suddenly he reflected that, after all he was blameless. He would open tke door, allow Mrs. Blazes to come out and throw himself on Lucy's mercy. 9e stepped to the door, yanked il open, and With a complaeent smile ous stepped Daphne Darlington. That Is not my wife!" shouted the General.
 "It seems impossible to escape you, pny dear General" Daphne said sweet l ly. She swept out with as much grandeur as she could muster-and Daphne could muster a plenty.
 Disguised with himself the General whirled about and stamped away. T told him his wife wasn't here, Harry said, turning to Lucy But she was weeping in her fathers arms, while Carolyn was huddled on couch crying. The Count stepped up to Harry.
 q get you out of dis yet. he said