One old frump that must have been tramming a mace in the Roman Hanging Gardens got a yen that was doing imitations she had Elsie Janis and Gertrude Hoffman looking like a couple of false starts.

The idea of an old frump like that letting professional jealousy interfere with Art.

He asked for admittance; she answered him "No!" Frumpaty, frumpaty, frump!

" "Mr. Frump had practical views of married life," suggested Matthew.

It had the effect of bringing Mrs. Frump to the door.

"I am Amos Frump," he replied, in a voice which had suddenly risen five notes.

" Mr. Frump's prediction was verified; for his lips had scarcely closed on the words, when Mrs. Frump opened her eyes, and feebly said, "Is it a dream?" "No, Gusty," replied the composed Amos; "it is a husband come back from Californy, with fifty thousand dollars.

cried Mrs. Frump, throwing herself impulsively out of Matthew's arms upon the patched and faded coat of her restored consort.

Looking at the shaggy face by a variety of lights, he soon came to recognize it as that of his niece's husband, whom he had seen a few times on his yearly visits to the country, before his farming brother, Nicholas Van Quintem, father of Mrs. Frump, had died.

The special correspondent, on being consulted by him, assured Mr. Frump that he could depend on his (the correspondent's) silence, since it was his invariable practice never to take back or qualify any statement made by himsuch a course being obviously fatal to his hard-earned reputation for accuracy.

"And you too, Mr. Frump.

" Mrs. Frump, still resting on her husband's shoulder, sobbed a little, and clung closer about him.

Matthew, like Mrs. Frump, had fully appreciated the awkwardness of his situation, and had kept a rigid silence since the returned Californian resumed possession of his wife.

The minute after Mr. Frump's identity had been established, Matthew could have hugged him with ecstasy.

"I like you," said Mr. Frump, "and, as soon as wifey and I commence housekeepin' agin, I'll expect lots o' visits from you.

"If you wish it," replied Mrs. Frump, looking up into his face, which was not a repulsive one, "for your word shall always be my law.

" "I must say," said Matthew, his face exhibiting unqualified admiration for Mr. Frump, "that you are the most generous man I ever met.

" "Rather better actor than carpenter, I guess," said Mr. Frump.

" "Dear Amos, you are the best of husbands!" said Mrs. Frump, looking fondly in his face.

"Mr. Frump," said Matthew, unable longer to repress the compliment, "you have a wonderful amount of good sense!"

The advent of Mr. Frump, with all his impulsive occidental peculiarities of character fresh upon him, was a decided relief to the decorous company already assembled in the parlors.

Matthew Maltboy was happy because he had taken a serious fancy to Miss Trapper, the second bridesmaid, a charming but peculiar girl, and the particular juvenile friend of Mrs. Frump.

In the other room, the bride had been dressing for several hours, and was still hard at it, under the immediate supervision of the indefatigable Mrs. Crull, Mrs. Frump, and the two bridesmaids.

Mr. and Mrs. Frump lived happily on their country property.

Mr. Frump tried experiments in blackberry raising, which proved a success, and was, at last accounts, concentrating his talents on the development of a new strawberry seedling.