Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-07-20


strange that she, usually so cold, so un-
moved, should feel so deeply in former
rivals heartache. Carl began to think
his wife was a mystery-a riddle.
he tried to be absent the following
afternoon" business called him out
during calling hours but Edith Nor
row was late making her call, and he met
her on the stairs as she was coming out.
She had changed-he could see that; but
she gave him bright smile and a
pleasant word of greeting, and he was
the more agitated of the two.
Chrlstiana saw that he was paler than
usual when he entered
"Ycu met your old friend on the
stairs, did you not?" she queried. 81
think she is very lovely. I wonder you
did not marry her, Carl 90 ~.
He looked at her uneasily. Did you
see his agitation-the agitation he could
not control at the sight the thought
of Edith Morrow?
''You know why" he answered. ct
do not want a wife who has only the
remnant of heart for me. [ want all
or nothing"
She flashed her eyes upon him for a
second with a look he had never seen be-
fore.
"And suppose Z should want all or
nothing OF my husbands hearth" she
querled, chow very fortunate it would
be for me, would it not?" And then she
laughed. But, no, she added, ''it is
not so with me. | am quite content to
be last [ think that is best, after all.
And [ am very, very sorry for Miss West
oven for all she has suffered, and that
my gain should be her loss" And for
the first time since their marriage
Chlistiana slipped hel hand into her
husbands OF her own accord, and rested
her head upon his shoulder. 1t makes
a possession SO doubly dear to know an
other covets it.
Two months later Carl sent a note
to his wife one night, saying he had
been invited out to club supper, given
III honor of two old friends of his who
had just returned from China. 81 saw
Mrs. Barclay" he added, "and she is to
call for you to attend the theatre with
you tonight. I will join you later in
the evening""
The club supper was success, given
In honor of Grant Somers and Regal,
the artist, whom Carl had not seen for
several years.
a" [ hear you have married beautiful
foreigner, Grant Somers said during
the evening. 81 was surprised, for the
last news before that was that you and
la belle Morrow were to go to the altar.
How was that ?"
Carl had been drinking wine freely,
and was in that excited state that makes
mans tongue loose and his wits scarce.
Had he been himself, he certainly, if he
laid claim to any breeding or worth
whatever, would never have been guilty
OF speaking lady's name in a club
room III the manner he now spoke of
Miss Morrow.
"La belle Morrow?' he repeated
"why, what man wants to make
remnant of woman's heart-a second
place, even? The lady in question had
had too many afaireS d'0naour to suit
me-"
"Miss Morrow has been a great BELLE"
Grant Somers answered, "but [ never
knew that she had ever been seriously in
terested in any man herself. And even
If she had, is not last love most always
better than first? I think So"
Grant Somers was a great GLADYS
man, and not altogether man of prin-
ciple, but he was careful in his speech of
women, and did not like the way in which
Carl spoke of Miss Morrow.
cit makes no difference to me what
others think" Carl responded. 81 could
never take a second place in woman's
heart. 1t must be all or nothing
n bOI1r lofor tho Y,arfu 1,ro1-o 11y, o,,d
proceeded to the theater Carl parted
with his friends, Grant Somers and Regal,
at the door, and sought out his wife.
he was proud as he saw the glance of
his friends from across the house fixed
upon her.
"There are the two friends [ dined
with looking at you now," he whispered
to her, "and, by-the-way. one of them is
your old friend Regal. I wonder if he
will know you ?"
Christ1ana lifted her glass, glanced at
the gentleman in question, and suddenly
tainted away. There was a scene of
confusion for time. and Christiana was
carried out, accompanied by her alarmed
friend and husband. She recovered
after a few moments, and said it was
nothing at all, only the heat, but begged
to be carried home. And Carl took her
home, wild storm gathering in his
breast all the way.
Once there, alone in their room, he
faced his wife. She wasvery white, very
beautiful, as she sat there in her even
ing dress. He, too, was white and
stern-so stern, she scarcely knew his
face.
$50 you lied to me-" he began; "lied
and deceived me concerning this artist,
Regal; led me to think you scarcely re-
membered his name. Yet you faint away
at sight of him. Woman, what was that
man to you?''
She smiled YEARLY.
"He was nothing-nothing to me-"
she answered; "only good friend to
the last"
He ground his teeth in rage.