Oxford Democrat., 1916-02-22
NUMBER 8

were just twenty men In It. Nothing
tasted good to him, and he only half
finished the bottle Of wine he ordered.
Having finished his meal, he went
into the lounging room to smoke.
There was no news In the evening
papers to speak Of, and, as for the Pa
risian illustrated journals with their
vivid pictures that used to be 50 at
tractive to him, they disgusted him.
He received q pleasurable sensation
In being called to the telephone. Rosa.
mond's voice made his heart throb
quicker.
"Is that you, dearisT she asked.
"Yes, sweetheart"
Having good timer
Pretty good. How about your
"Oh, I'm having splendid time!
Mary invited my escort to dine with
us. He and are just going out to-
gether."
Mr.. Burke made no reply to this.
He was thinking about the escort.
"Give my love to the chorus girls"
came from Mrs. Burke.
"EhT
"Ta-ta! My escort Is waiting for
me. l hope you'll have a jolly even.
Ing. Don't stay out all night"
A click, and Mr.. Burke knew that
there was nothing further to be said.
1t was just as well, for he had moth
ing to say outwardly, though he had
lot to say inwardly.
Several ways of passing the evening
suggested themselves to him. He
would 60 to a theater where he had
been once well known behind the
scenes. In the morning, II his wife
did not give a good account Of herself,
he would fling chorus girls at her.
Another plan was to go to the club
library and read till midnight. A third
was to go home and hide In room on
the top story and let his wife worry
till 2 or 3 o'clock In the morning. He
hoped by that time she would be hys-
terical.
He tried the library; but, finding that
he had read one page over several
times and still did not know what was
in it, he went to the theater, sat awhile
looking at a play he had formerly
thought very funny, but which now
tired him; then went around to the
stage door and was admitted by the
same official he had known when
bachelor.
How tawdry the scant costumes OF
the ballet girls! How frightful the
paint and powder! Burke left the the
ater and when outside among the
faring electric signs debated how he
would get through the rest Of the
evening. Looking at hir watch, he
saw that 1t was only o'clock. - What
would he do with the rest Of the even.
ing?
He returned to the club, knocked the
balls about on the billiard table, look
ed at his watch three times In half
an hour and at 10 o'clock went home.
It was the stillest house he ever en-
tered. He walked the floor till IL.
If his wife had gone to the theater
she would likely be home within
few minutes. Between IL and
quarter past seemed two hours. Going
to the front door, he opened 1t ana
looked out. No wife in sight. Slam
ming the door behind him, he strobe
away to Mary Edwards. Pulling tho
bell violently, he was admitted by the
lady herself.
"Where's my wifeT he asked sharp
ly.
Upstairs getting on her wraps to go
home. The carriage will be here In
q few minutes"
"Where's her escortT
what escort"
"Is that you, dearieT came a lugu.
brious voice from landing above.
Down came Mrs. Burke.
I'm so glad you've come" she said.
MARY has been very good to me, but
I've been worrying about you 30
that
worrying about me2 Why, haven't
you been anywhere"
Nowhere but here"
There's the carriage remarked
Miss Edwards, hearing sound OF
wheels without
"I've had horrid evening"" said
Mrs. Burke as they drove home locked
In each others arms.
$50 have l." replied the husband.
II don't like your plan at ALL
"Nor I. We won't do It again, will
weT
"No, indeed"
"I bored Mary dreadfully. She tried
hard to amuse me, but failed"
II dined alone at the club and had
q miserable time Of It."
What did you do after dinnerr
4 went to the theater."
Behind the scenes"
Eyes, but the girls were not as at
tractive US before I met you, Dearest
Burke gave the cabman FIVE dollar
bill without calling for change.
"Reckon them's just married." ~
marked the cabman to himself as he
A.o-o p,or ohuoklip0