The Portland daily press., 1879-03-04
The Novel Of the Future.

LctVA 1diptI W0tkly.l
"If had only no n it would come to thisp'
said Augustus de Boots with sigh. Aud then
the ex-hussar sat down in an easy chair and
wept bitterly.
No wonder the Door fellow was listless and
low spirited. Years ago he had been the pride
OF every garrison IN which the regiment was
quartered. His long moustachs and curly locks
had been the toast of every o'clock tea within
radius of five miles round each mill. .ary cen.
ter. Finding that his expenditure was consid.
ersbly larger than his inco ne, he had married.
In one tiny hour the dsshhing Major Augustus
de Boots-the pet Of the garden party aud the
loungiest ounger Of the clubs-had given up
single blessedness to become the neglected
husband OF professional lady in large prsc-
tice in the West Ead. And the result? A
miserable home Too gentle to run away to
his bachelor haunts, too hsart-broken to face
his tailor, Augustus moped away the days
awaiting the return of his more industrious,
net better, half. Nine struck, aud III, we'll
known torn 10 ths lock told the neglected hus.
band that his wife was letting herself In with
her latch key. Mrs de Boots entered the diD-
ing room with frowu upon her stern AID
deeply furrowed brow.
"Di1oer?" she exclaimed roughly throwing
herself into chair.
"lt has been waiting sincs o'clock, dar-
log, said the poor husband timid!y
What OF that?" replied tie churlish wife.
You caL,G expect professional female to te
tied to time. Now theo, [ have only squarter
of an hour or So Look sharp!'
Ine treuDiug servant Drou2h 10 the
lokewarm soup, the cold fish, the burned meat.
Mrs. De Boots gulped down her food hastily
but moodily. Augustus with difficulty KEEP.
down his tears. Poor Augustus
At last when the cloth had baen withdrawo,
and wife aud husband once more alone, Angus
tus ventured 10 ask what was the matter.
"DoD't botherT replied Mrs. De Boots. And
the0 she added as she noticed the tears we'll
ing over in Augustus's mild blue eyes, SNOW
don't be absuId, II you eau help it. III you
must know, everything bas gone wrong to-day.
have lost three patients by allowing my hand
10 slip 10 three difficult surgical operat
and the great case IN which was specially re-
taiDed has been decided against me.
'Of course the judge was a mau, DEAR" said
Augustus, with just little spite.
No, woman" returoed his wife sngrily.
"But let us change the subject. Have the
work men left the house yet?'
"Oh, dear, no." replied Augustus, stroking
bis beautiful mustsche. And I have no idea
when they will be finished"
They get on very slowly" growied Mrs. De
Boots.
"Yes, DEAR" said Augustus THE fact is,
the plasterers are men and the carpenters wo-
men, and they waste all their time 10 Irritation.
l am sure the carpenters should be ashamed of
themselves And the ex-hussar tossed his
| curly head with pretty indig nation.
AT that moment Mrs. De Boots with all her
strength of mind could not help ad riring her
ornamental bat useless hu- band. But stsrnly
repressing all sentimental weakness, she pro-
duced a scientific review, and had been for some
time buried 10 its pages when q loud knock was
heard at the street door, followed at once By
, the entrance Of the servant with note.
Another serious casep' cried Mrs De
4 Boots. must te off at once. Jane, pack up
! my portmanteau.'
when will you return, darling?" asked the
| husband, timidly.
Perhaps tomorrow-perhaps in week." re-
piled the wire impstiently. "If my operation
| isn't successful, suppose shall have 20 wsit
| for the inquest" And with q hurried good.by,
half swallowed in her csche-nez, the wife took
| her departure.
"Oh, how wish there had been higher ed
ucation for the light csvslryp' murmured the
ex-bussar. as he sank back in his chase lougue,
while the fast-fowing tears trickled down his
cigar and turned its glog to ashes.