The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-04-26

wife. Still, doubtful, however OF his
conclusions. he took seat beside he I
and put his arm around her waist
''Dear Mrs. Racket" he said, "may
not call you by another name? I love
you" He was holding her disengaged
hand, which certainly squeezed his.
"You may call me Dora," she said,
not, however, without hesitation.
Tom drew back fora moment; but his
love for his wife overcame him still.
"Dora, my own!" he cried-this time
with more earnestness than dissimula-
you will try to love me. Forget the past.
Dora, do You love me?" and he seized
her hand and kissed it. "Do you love
| me, my own?"
Eyes" tnurmured Mrs. Racket, softly
and hestatingly; but in moment her
arms were around her husbands neck,
and she whispered, "You know I do.'
Tom started up from the ottoman and
freed himself from her embrace. This
is TERRIBLE" lie thought. "This places it
beyond a doubt: She cannot possibly
!""e ''--c -c". 9. now love her!
Good heavens! she is willing to give her
heart to the first stranger who asks her
for it. But cannot leave her without a
kiss" And he controlled himself again.
"Then you will he mine, my own, my
darling?" he cried. "Dora! Dora" and
kneeling before her, he EN- braced her
fervently. Then he rose and stood up
right, while she remained with bowed
head, and seemed to be weeping. AT
last he summonsd up courage to speak
once more. 'Mrs. Racket" he ex-
claimed, sternly.
She looked up for an instant, and
having composed herself, faced him.
"Mrs. Racket he said, what would
your husband say to this? You have
disgraced him."
Dora smiled imploringly, but meeting
with no responsive glance, from her Wis:
itor, continued TOMS sentence by add
ing, "That is, provided he is absurdly
jealous"
"Not at ALL" returned Tom. 'Are
you not vicious woman?'
II beg your PARDON" said Dora, with
returning GOODNESS, "but are you mar
ried?"
81? Well-unfortunately I am-at
present"
""rhen, at all events" said Mrs. Rack
us is equal"
'.Equal?" sneered Mr.. Bracket. "Ha!
ha! No true wife could behave as you
behaved just now"
Neither" answered Dora "could
any true husband act as you have act
ed. Even if You be cynical enough to
believe that all women are vicious, you
do not better matters by encouraging
them, and by being vicious yourself
Women are subject to little weaknesses
Their principles are too often the prin-
ciples of those they love, But men
should have more strength"
Weaknesses" commented Tom,
scornfully. "Do you call filtration on
the part of married woman little
weaknessp'
"On the contrary. 1t is. however, no
more reprehensible than filtration on
the part of Il married man."
"You treat the matter with trivolity,"
said Mr.. Bracket, turning OH his ht.a:.
"But you treat it illogically," persisted
Dora. 1--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 10y such IL woman as you?''
"Then why did you ask it," demand
ed Mrs. Racket.
"In order' returned Tom, "that I
might assure myself that you are as VIC
lOus and worthless as [ now know you
to be-"
81 might" said Dora, Applying SINH
lar reproaches to you if, in spite Of all
That you have said, did not really love
you. And having told NE that you love
me, you can not surely SO SOON contra
dict yourself"
"Love you? despise you? cried Tom.
But he silently added, dyes, do love
her." "No; you have opened my eyes.
| can respect you no longer, and there
fore had better leave you. Oh, Dora,
if yo9u had been good woman? Good
He approached her slowly took her
hand, and having kissed it, kissed her
on the cheek, hut their eyes did not
meet.
\, You are really goiny," said Dora.
Eyes; am sorry must go. It is for
the best; we co Md not be happy"
II think" murmured Mrs. Racket.
"that we might. would put up with a
great deaf. | would not even care if yop
were to tlirt again with the young ladies'
at Alden"
"But I?'-and Tom nervel himself
for the parting. "Would you not t,etray
me? No; l must go. Good-by." He
kissed her once more on the cheek, and
then moved slowly and silently toward
the door, where he stood for moment.
Mrs. Racket sank upon the ottoman.
"Good-by," she said, "B lt-Tom--'
Mr.. Racket started. "Tcm?" he said
"Who-who told you my name was
Tom?"
"Who told me?" cried Mrs Racket,
as she rose with a gay laugh. "Why l
believe you did once, you foolish boy,
only about year ago. [ used to call
you TON then"
"And you know mo, Dora," he ex-
claimed, stepping toward her with out
stretched hands, and taking her IN his
arms; My own! Then you have known
me all along ?'
mo, Tom, I did not recognize you
|. until you told me that terribly big story
about the tiger. What a stupid boy you
were to say such a thing, and try to
brighten me! And you have grown a
beard! How could expect you home
you, l think; for, after all, this love- ma
king over again has not been altogether
unpleasant" And she threw her arms
around bis neck.
Yes, it was foolish of me-" said Tom,
a minute later; "but if you forgive me-"
Forgive you? l am only too glad, now
that have you home again. How papa
will laugh when we tell him! But there
must be nothing more of this kind, Tom,
no more firtations at Aden."
"And no more Irish doctors, Dora. No.
AS far as am concerned promise that
this shall be the first and last affair Of the
kind"
They dined cozily together that eve
ming, and afterward, as they walked
along the winding paths in the garden,
they loughed to. their hearts content
over their quiet comedy.