Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-03-29
In the Wrong House
By GEORGE KING

u doze. opened my eyes upon
young lady who lived next door look
Ing down upon me In wOndermeDt.
had often seen her going out OF and
coming into her house and had ad-
mired her. She had long known me
by sight, and nothing but the absence,
Of an introduction had kept us from
IN acquaintance. But what was she
doing In my room? From me she
looked about her wildly aud. having
evidently become convinced that she
had got into the wrong house, was
about 10 take to flight when, hearing
tue front door open and shut, she
stopped short.
what shall dO!" she cried.
I took In the situation ut once. Het
house and mine were exactly alike.
She had come into mine thinking that {.
she was In her own. On me depended
the question as To whether or not she
should escape the consequences OF be-
ing caught not only in mans house,
but in his room. My mother had gone
out, and had been told OH my return
that she was expected hOmF any min.
ute. When returned In the evening
she invariably came at once to my
room for brief chat. My mother was
an impulsive person. and l knew that
IL she had come IN and found young
lady In my room she would he very
hard person TO manage.
Within half n minute of the closing
of the trout door my mother stood Oh
the threshold Of my room. looking at
the young lady and me standing like
two guilty creatures before her. The
girl east an appealing look at me.
"M-m-m-other." | stammered. "this
young lady has made terrible mis-
take"
Il should say so," snapped my
mother.
What use to stick to the truth-at
any rate. for the moment? must
find some way Of legitimatizing the
girls presence In my room and con-
fess the truth later. when could get
my mother alone and convince her that
there was no criminality In ii.
Mother" | said. "let me introduce
my wife"
Your wife,"
"Yes. mother. Lave kept this from
you. expecting soon TO put through
deal which would enable me to &C
knowledge my dear Susie as my wife.
1t was absolutely necessary that she
should see me for few minutes aOOut
very important matter. and she ran
in for the purpose. Your coming upon
us thus suddenly has simply resulted
in your obtaining knowledge OF our
relationship tribe earlier than You
would have otherwise received 1t.
Mother. congratulate me-"
went 10 her. put my arms about her.
and she suffered me TO kiss her.
do you mean to tell me-" she said,
that you are really married.?
There was no escape for the moment.
Leaving mother. went to the young
lndy. put an arm about her and said.
Yes. | am married to the dearest girl
on earth. one you will he proud. when
YOU know her. to call your daughter
"And you have married my SOM"
asked mother of the girl.
NV supposed bride. doubtless to es-
calie the gaze of one to whom she was
constrained to tell lie, hid her face
OH my breast. but made no reply.
"Oh. Arthur" said my mother to
me In a panied voice, lit was bad
enough TO introduce this person into
your mothers house Without
yes" cried the poor girl.
Nv mother stood looking from ore OF
lis 10 the other without speaking. .
Backing against my room and not
twenty feet IRON it was an apartment
house facing OH another street. My
window and one directly facing mine
In this house were both open, and an
elderly woman was looking In upon this
episode with an expression OF intense
interest. My mother caught sight OF
her. and whatever Of discretion there
was in her came to the surface. She
gave me Il hasty kiss, then went to my
supposed bride and repeated the per.
Torrance.
Better go downstairs to the library"
she said. And while we Obeyed her
command she went to the window and
drew down the shade.
"Oh, heavens" cried the girl when
we were alone. I'VE are undone. That
hOrrid woman in the other house saw
and heard the whole thing"
You're right" ! replied.
Now we h We another to explain to-"
AN explanation will do no good. I
could have explained to my mother, but
this other person hearing me acknOwl-
edge you as my wife and you acknowl-
edge me as your husband makes great
difference"
What differences"
I'VE are legally married"
The girl covered her face with her
hands. l went to her and, putting an
arm about her, removed her hands.
Marriage is lottery" / said. How
do we know hut that this mistake OF