The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1920-12-24
HOW Able VOTED
BY ALMA sILvANIUs.

N"JS 10 WVhdii ouuTdsc CLUBS anu
voting" remarked Tom Brown TO his
wife.
I'D hate to have woman running
round TO such places and neglecting
her home"
MY house isn't neglected; is it.
Tom?" she inquired.
Il should say not, and I'm glad you
don't get such ideas in your head"
Mrs. Carlisle has invited me to 60
to the city with the members of her
club next Monday" his wife went on.
"Umph," grunted Tom, remembering
that that was the day the women of
Woodville registered, and he strolled
out to the barn.
Poor Tom," smiled Mrs. Brown to
herself He's the best husband in the
world. but oh, so awfully selfish!"
All the next day Tom racked his
brain to find some excuse to keep his
wife at home, but none could he find
until Saturday when Bill Hanson. a
neighbor, expressed q desire to go to
the city. Tom eagerly offered the use
surprising offer was eagerly accepted.
Early Monday morning the mare was
slyly driven out and delivered into
the hands of Bill Hanson.
Serenely unconscious of her hus-
bands maneuvers. Mrs. Brown hustled
about the house preparing dinner.
Flaky pies were set on the long shelf
on the screened porch to cool, and the
Odor Of roast chicken issued from the
kitchen door.
After dinner Tom fingered about the
house in an unaccountable manner.
while his wife hurried around clear
ing the table and piling the dishes into
the pan.
Hadn't you better be hitching up.
Tomf I'm almost ready" she said.
Tom rather overacted his start Of
surprise.
"Why, did you mean to go?' he ask
ed lnnocently. II wish I'd known. I
thought you'd given UP. I've gone and
let Bill Hanson take Kitty and the
buggy
Mrs. Brown regarded her husband
with an odd little smile.
"Oh, WE'LL" she returned suddenly,
"that's all right. thought you might
be busy, so l partly arranged to go
with Mrs. Carlisle"
Tom gazed helplessly at her mo-
ment then went out and banged the
door.
'If that woman don't beat ALL" he
muttered. "Tll bet she knew all the
time what was about. l believe I'll
go right in and forbid her to CO."
Assuming a resolute and courageous
air he marched back to the house. On
the step he halted In uncertainty. He
looked into the kitchen. His wife was
not In sight.
The pantry door stood partly open.
the key in the lock.
She might be in there. He listened.
Yes-he could hear her moving about.
His eyes glowed with sudden resolu-
ton.
He tiptoed lightly across the floor,
softly closed the door, turned the key
and dropped 1t in his pocket.
i've fixed it this time," he chuckled.
~She won't like 1t, I guess, but won't
have 1t said that my wife is gadding
round to the polls" Then Tom went
down to the garden.
A few hours later buggy came rum
bling down the road.
1t stopped at the Brown gate and a
woman alighted.
Tom saw her and stared. If he
wasn't mistaken that woman was his
wife. Yes-it was Abbie. She met
him with no sign of embarrassment.
"Am late, Tom" she inquired.
"Abbie." he said, solemnly, "how did
you get out of that pantryT
The woman looked startled. The
pantry" she echoed. "Why. Tom,
what do you mean" He stared at her
a moment in silence.
Somebody" he began, then stopped.
swell, locked the pantry" he fin
ished, rather lamely. Without stop
ping to say any more they entered the
house together. Tom sat down In the
chair his wife pushed toward him.
Happy birthday" she exclaimed
gayly. throwing pair of new slippers
upon his lap.
my birthday" he CALCULATED, "and
I'd forgotten all about 1t. Is that why
you went to town.
"Of course 1t was" laughed Abbie.
"Just see what else I've got" She
started toward the pantry and with a
sudden recollection Tom rose and fol-
lowed her. He drew the key from his
pocket and the two stared ut each
other.
Strange sounds were issuing from
within.
Tom jerked the door open and stood
gazing at the scene before him. Seat
ed with his head back to the wall snor-
ing. was the much tattered form Of
man. There were crumbs In his
grizzled beard and his features wore
a blissful, well-fed look.
"Open the door, Abble." Tom or
dered. and the tramp was assisted
from the house. When Tom returned
his wife was standing In the door hold