Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-13

OF them afterward and felt embittered
enough to almost sympathize (transient-
ly, at least) with the revolt and incendi-
arism which they uttered.
There is no use denying it, had become
burningly jealous Of my wife.
What more natural than that she should
have married me for the merest worldly
reasons? Twas Unlocking; | had none OF
the arts which can nlease or cajole her sex.
Since my boyhood no member of it had
ever shown me the least liking before. An
nette Rathburn had seen her chance of
support-ot decent thrift, aud had mar
ried me. Women were constantly doing
just these deliberated things, in higher, no
less than in lower, spheres of life than our
own.
She had told me that she had not a single
male friend in all Chicago beside myself.
How, then, had she become intimate
enough with this well-faVored youth to
Warranthis holding converse with her as |
had seen him do in the public street? No
doubt they had been walking together for
some time before | observed them. No
doubt they had met often. But if the
matter were all TO be easily elucidated-if
was the prey of an unjust and an insult
ing suspiciOn-why had she said no word
that would terminate my misunderstand-
mgr l had made no accusation against
her. My pride was above doing that
and above questioning her further, as
we'll.
She spoke few words TO me when en-
tered the sitting room, which adioined our
apartment, at rather late hour that
night. Her voice sounded as anna BILE and
gentle as it had always done. She had re-
tired some time ago. | answered her in
monosylla5les that tried not to render
surly. took book and endeavored to
read 1t. 1t was book that one OF the
fractions and hot-headed employees Of the
factory had loaned me, aud il was written
by notorious German anarchist, having
been translated and published here.
Somehow its extreme and almost blood
thirsty arguments pleased my wTetched
mood. | read on and on, till it grew mucn
later than had any right 10 remain read
ing. III Annette would only call to me
from the reXt room and offer some eXpla-
nation! She must have seen that her ST.
lence had surprised ard distressed me.
But little while before / closed my book
l heard the sound Of her peaceful, slum-
berous breathing. She had fallen asleep;
she had forgotten, or perhaps she did not
care.
Iarose the next morning before she did
Thyrza always prepared breakfast. MY
sister gave a little recOiling movement
when she saw my pale face. Annette
came into the room just as | was begin
ming to partake Of breakfast. L forced
myself to drink a cup of coffee and TO
swallow certain amOuntOf food. Both,
my wife and ThyrZa spoke while we all
three sat together at the breakfast table,
but paid no heed to what they said.
When | had risen and passed out into the
bah, where my hat and OvercOat were, |
suddenly perceived that Annette had
stolen out afterme.
''John," she said, laying her hand on my
arm and looking At me wistfully with her
lovely eyes, "are you unwell this morn
ing, or-or are you angry at me? Which
is itY'
Neither" returned, sullenly. Then,
with caange of mood. | met her gaze in
the most searching manner. Annette"
| said, 'why have you refused TO tell me
more about that man with whom | saw
you talking last EVENING"
81 have not refused" she STAN mered.
My lip curled.
"You have not been cross-questioned, ="
| answered, shaking off her hand as it lay
on my arm. "And don't think that l shall
crOss-questiOn you. That is not my
style"
turned away. had already put on
my OyercOat. l reached out for my hat,
and in doing so made longer pause than
this simple act required. Would she
speak now?
But she did not speak. / wheeled about
and faced her.
"Have you nothing to tell me?o ex-
claimed; ''nOthing to make clear further
than you have already done?"
''I-I-can't tell you anything vet,
john" she faltered, looking very mjser-
able and crestfallen. "I-I never thought
you could suspect wrong of mel IL
thought"