Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-01-30
The Charge
Account
o0
BY EVELYN LEE

The mischief"
Percy Bliss was not given TO the use
of forcible axpletlves and this ejacula-
ton expressed all the wonderment, dis
may and anxiety of which he was
capable. He stood dazed, almost pallid.
after a vivid shock, staring blankly at
a sheet of paper in his hand. He had
come home TO his sumptuous fiat which
housed his beloved and cherished bride
of year, to find her absent, and then,
making startling discovery, to his
disturbed imagination its beauty and
comfort seemed fading into desolate
ruins all about him.
Upon a table beside the telephone
was a number. He groaned as he rec
ognized that the last act of his wife
was to call up her dearest friend and
contidant, Miss Iona Walters. C3ush-
ing the sheet in his hand. Percy Ssshed
from the house. nor paused nor Sel-
tered until he had reached the office
of Wallace Blight. He burst In upon
him breathless and agitated, closing
the office door so they might be alone.
Wallace" he exclaimed hoarsely.
throwing himself into a chair, you've
got me into the trouble of my life!"
Blight stared at his agitated visitor
blankly. 1t was unusual to see his
placid, systematic friend other than
serene and satisfied.
what has happened?" propounded
Wallace. Been having a tiff with
Dorothy?"
I'VE never have tiffs." dissented
Percy resentfully. tIrs worse than
that, Wallace probably have broken
her heart"
''You amaze and alarm met" spoke
Blight, really aroused at the earnest
manner Of Bliss.
you remember coming to me
month ago in what YOU called terri
BILE tixp"
you mean the Adrienne Ballingford
affair? / certainly do. l needed money
or credit for few hundred dollars.
That was before got my share of my
uncle's fortune. But l paid you back,
Percy"
which did not and does not mat
ter would give ten times the amount
to get out of the dilemma in which my
slight accommodation has placed me-
You had been smitten with the stage
beauty, Adrienne Baliingford. year
ago and written her some silly letters,
"All true. got the letters and paid
you back the three hundred dollars you
became responsible for"
Eyes, and today, an unusual thing,
for my bills usually come to my office.
the one for those wretched goods came
to my house. Dorothy read it. Just
think what she must think Of an order
for two kimonos. six pairs of silk stock
ings and lot of other follies of
feminine adornmentp"
Blight looked startled now. "Why,
say, if she learns the truth and it gets
to the ears of Nellie's parents, think OF
the awful position l. am in! oh, my,
a terrible mess I've made of itr'
81 can't give you away" observed
Percy in troubled tone.
And / can't break up your house
hold by allowing you to take the
blame"
For some moments the worried twain
sat gloomily silent, mutually going
over the situation.
i've got 1t p cried Wallace sudden
". leaping to his feet. Come with
me. Right away straight to Day &
Co.'S Wen go. Got the original bin7"
eyes"
"Well duplicate it."
"What do you mean--what good win
that do2"
Wallace whispered In Percy's ear.
Instantly the face of the latter bright
ened. They dashed from the Office.
One hour later the two schemers en-
tered the Bliss fiat. They carried a
variety Of bundles. The contents were
stored in a drawer in Percy's desk.
Two hours later still, with relieved
mind and bright eyes Percy again en-
tered the fiat His wife greeted him
with a tear-stained face.
"oh, Percy !" she sobbed, 81 have
found you out How cruelty you have
deceived me. Married on my birthday
and our first anniversary here only
day after tomorrow Kimonosl silk
stockings a mesh bag a fur coat
Oh, who Is this mysterious female who
has wrecked our homer
"Ahaw cried Percy, in an injured
tone. Il think / surmise. Did that
stupid Day e. Co send a bin to the
house instead of TO my officer
Eyes, they did"
dorothy. come hevei"
Percy led his wife into his den and
up to his desk. He drew open its
drawer.
TITS a shame to spoil surprise" he
said, stern as a Judge, "but, the cat
being out Of the bag. shall have to
subdue your Mysteries. There You
cant say / am not glad to think Of you
on your birthday"