The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-04-26

Tom drew back for moment; but his love
for his wife overcame him still. Dora, my
own!n he cried-this time with more earnest
ness than assimilation; say that you love
me, even that you viii try to love me. Forget
the past. Dora, do you love me?o and he
seized her hand and kissed it. - Do you love
me, my OWN"
"Yes,r lnurmured Mrs. Racket, softly and
hesitatingly; but in moment her arms were
around her husbands neck, and she whispered,
" You know | do.''
Tom started up from the ottoman and freed
himself from her embrace. "This is terrible"
he thought. tThis places it all beyond
doubt. She cannot possibly love me now. Yet
how love her Good heavens! she is willing
to give her heart to the first stranger who asks
for it. But cannot leave her without a kiss.
And he controlled himself again. Then you
will be mine, my own, my darling ?" he cried.
Dora! Dora!" and, kneeling before her, he
embraced her fervently. Then he arose and
stood upright, while she remained with bowed
head and seemed to be weeping. AT last he
summoned up courage to speak once more.
Mrs. Rackett!" he exclaimed, sternly.
She looked up for an instant, and having
composed herself, faced him.
Mrs. Racket" he said, what would your
husband say to this2 You have disgraced
him.
Dora smiled imploringly, but meeting with
no responsive glance from her visitor, con-
tinued Toms sentence by adding, That is
provided that he is absurdly jealous"
"Not at all" returned Tom. "Are you not
vicious woman?"
:" ] beg your pardon" said Dora, with return
ing coolness, but are you married?"
u? Well-unfortunately / am-at present"
"Then, at all events" said Mrs. Racket,
the guilt, if guilt it be, of both of is equal"
"Equal?" sneered Mr.. Racket Hal ha!
No true wife could behave as you behaved just
now"
Neither" answered Dora, "could any true
husband act as you have acted Even if you
be cynical enough to believe that all women are
vicious you do not better matters by encour-
aging them, and by being vicious yourself.
Women are subject to little weaknesses. Their
principles are too often the principles of those
they love. But men should have more
strength
Weaknesses!" commented Tom scornfully.
Do you call Irritation the part Of married
woman little weakness?"
"0n the contrary 1t is, however, no more
rcprehensible than Irritation on the part of a
married man."
You treat the matter with frivolity," said
| Mr. Racket turning on his heel
"But you treat it illogically," persisted Dora.
We have just interchanged pledges. Is this
a specimen of the mode in which we intend to
carry them out?"
| "Pooh! what is the value of pledge when
given by such woman as you?"
Then why did you ask it?" demanded
| Mrs. Racket.
I'm order" returned Tom, that might
assure myself that you are as vicious and
worthless as l now know you to be-"
Il might" said Dora, apply similar re-
proaches to you if, in spite of all that you have
said, did not really love you. And having
told me that you love me, You cannot surely SO
soon contradict yourself"
Love you? / despise you!" cried Tom
/ But he silently added, +" Yes, do love her.
No; you have opened my eyes. l can respect
you no longer, and therefore l had better leave
you. Oh, Dora, if only you had been a good
woman Good-by."
He approached her slowly, took her hand
| and having Missed it, kissed her on the cheek
but their eyes did not meet
You are really going?" said Dora. Now
So soon?n
Yes; am sorry must 60 1t is fer the
best; we could not be happy"
Il think" murmured Mrs. Racket, " that
| We might. | would put up with great deal
would not even be very jealous if you were
to flirt again with young ladies at Alden"
But ?"-and Tom nerved himself for the
parting. "Would you not betray me? No;
mus, go. Good-by;" He kissed her once more
| on the cheek, and then moved slowly and 81
lently toward the door, where he stood for 8
moment.
Mrs. Racket sank upon the ottoman. Good
| by" she said. "But-Tom-"
Mr.. Racket started. "Tom?" he said. "Wht
who told you my name was Tom?"
"Who told me?" cried Mrs Racket, as sh,
rose with a gay laugh. "Why, believe yor
did once, you foolish boy, only about yeal
| ago. / used to call you Tom then"
And you know me, Dora" he exclaimed
| stepping toward her with outstretched hands
and taking her in his arms. "My owni Ther
you have known me all aIong?"
No. Tom, did not recognize you until yoJ
told me that terribly big story about the tiger
What stupid boy you were to say such
thing, and try TO frighten me! And you hav'
| grown beard How could expect you home S,
soon, too? Do you wonder that did not know
! you at once? But there I must forgive you
/ think; for, after all, this love-making owe
again has not been altogether unpleasant
And she threw her arms around his neck
" Yes, it was foolish of me" said Tom,
minute later; "but if you forgive me"
Forgive you? / am only too glad, nov
that have you home again. How papa vii
laugh when we tell him! But there must b
nothing more of this kind, Tom; no more fir
tations at Aden."
"And no more Irish doctors Dora. No. A
far as ! am concerned l promise that this shal
be the first and last affair of the kind"
They dined cozily together that evening
and afterward, as they walked along the wind
ing paths in the garden, they laughed to thei
hearts content over their quiet comedy.