Wichita eagle., 1888-08-10
MADAME R0QUETTE."

lIeTO prODdUly was uOO a brighter nor q
cozier room in any house in New York than
the breakfast room in John Wheatleigh's
house. It was somewhere in the thirties, just
of Fifth avenue. Of which glimpse could be
caught through the east windows, which adj
mitted food of sunlight on the glass and
plate and fine damask of the table, and
brought out the golden light in Mrs Wheat
leigh's brown hair.
There could not have been q moro agree
able couple to look upon, either-he, tall,
athletic, with an open, manly countenance-
she, pretty, elegant and womanly. They
were happy pair, too, as happiness goes,
and no heavier cloud darkened their matri-
monial sky than the one which was now how
ering over the breakfast table. For that
there was q cloud this morning there could
be no possible doubt. The fullness about
Mrs. Wheatleigh's lips, the droop of her lids
and the elevation Of her eyebrows formed an
undeniable pout, while her husbands face
expressed doubt, anxiety and annoyance in
turn. Though the atmosphere was clear
when the meal began the doubt had been
lurking in John Wbeatleigh's eyes ever since
be took his seat ct the table In his heart it
will tell herr and II won't tell her." The
''wonts1 had the best of it at first; it seemed
unnecessary; there was no reason why he
should, and perhaps Nettie would not under
stand it, which would be very awkward.
Then he considered the affirmative side of
the question; Nettie was thoroughly sensi-
bic woman; she had never shown the least
trace of Jealousy; anything that he would
Sal1 nh " cba
would consider right, or if she dld not she
would tell him SO gently and without any
fuss
lie looked at her as she bent her pretty
head over the morning paper, humming a
little tune meanwhile. She seemed to feel
his gaze, and CHANGING up at him smiled.
Johns heart smote him. How could he think
of keeping anything from his sweet little
wifei OF course he would tell her he was
half sorry he had promised to go; if she OBJ
iected he wouldn't Just as soon as | finish
this egg" thought he. ''In the meantime I'll
think OF the best way TO tell her."
That was fatal egg for John. He was
some time in disposing of it. When he had
finished he cleared his throat and had
actually uttered the initial N of his
wife's name when Mrs. Wheatleigh cried,
ooh, John, they're going to play Gym
beine' tonight; won't you take me!'
That question was the deathknell of John
Wheatleigh's confession. He could never
tell his wife, in excuse for not taking her to
the theatre, that he was going himself with
another lady, or at least party in which
there We're other ladies.
Tonight did you say, Nettie? don't be-
heve L can so tonight"
ooh, John, why not|
won't tomorrow night dof"
"No,n said Mrs. Wheatleigh, looking at the
paper, this is the only performance OF
.Cymbeline.
81 am going to be- out tonight, Nettie;
don't think | can take you very well; but
any other night viii be glad to-"
You are going to the club, l suppose. l
wish you did not spend SO much time there Is
this something SO important that it can't be
put off! / do want to see 'Cymbline' SO
much"
''See here Nettie, it's like this" said Johns
ed. Wilson, friend Of mine from out Ct
town, is going to be here tonight, and l
want to show him around little, and-and
take him to the club, perhaps; in fact, I've
written to him promising to meet him Now
do be reasonable, Nettie."
The cloud lifted from Mrs. Wheatleigh's
brow entirely. Il VIII be reasonable, John;
Of course if you are engaged with your
friend, | shan't interfere. I'll tell you what
might do. If you viii get the tickets, I'll
send over to Cynthia Odds to go with me; she
will be glad of the chance. Well take u cab
and drive TO theatre, and it VIII be perfectly
safe"
John was glad to have the matter settled
30 easily, but his wife's sharp speech still
ranked little, and he felt that he ought not
TO give in all at once.
Il don't like you going out a night without
an escort, and l don't like you going with
Cynthia Odds, anyhow. What you SEQ in her
TO make you want to continue the intimacy,
l can't imagine She is a silly, simpering old
girl, without ala idea that she hasn't got
from some yellow backed novel, and a wo-
man whose tongue runs as hers does is sure
TO be dangerous companion"
Cynthia is not so bad as you make her
out, John; she is foolish about some things,
know, and exaggerates good deal, but I
never heard her say anything i'll natured
about anybody. Ii IS pleasure to take her
out, she enjoys everything SO much. But as
you evidently do not wish me to so the thea
tire, shall say no more about it."
There, my dear. you may do as you like"
said John. Ask Cynthia TO go with you
and Will bring the tickets tonight" And
so all was serene.
When John Wheatleigh took his seat in the
elevated train he drew letter from his
pocket-the letter which caused tie little jar
in his homo that had SO quickly subsidized. He
read it hastily:
NEWARK, \. J., April 10
DEAR NEEATLEIGH l am coming over to
New York on Thursday with my wife and
her stS.er-you remember Ethel, of course.
We Want to 80 somewhere in the evening,
and would be delighted TO have you join Us
at tho Hoffman house ut Tor dinner, and
make partic caITee. l hear the opeIetta Of
'Madanle Requette' is very good; may
commission you 70 secure four places for our
party, and don't fail to meet usi Ny wife
wishes to be remembered Yours truly,
L II. WILSON.
"Confound it." be Inuttered, Il don't Ike
it; wish hadn't been II such hurry to
accept his invitation
He remembered Miss Ethel very well; a
handsome girl she WAS, too, but not hand
soner than her sister, Mrs. Wilson "Of
course, they couldn5 have asked Nettie; they
don't know her. Tn hanged, though, If /
think its tie thing 10 invite married man
without his wife. / wish Id told her! How
ever, I'm in tor it ROW, l suppose"
lie left the train and went to a theatre
where q great artist was playing Shake
spearean dramas, and bought two places for
.'Cvmbeline." Then be went on TO his Office.
All morning, however, he was absent minded
and low spirited; tie let several good oppor-
tunisies o. The evchar-e -~SS unnoticad- /
About noon he made a sudden resolution.
~ shan't dine with them at any rate; III SC
10, wit Na-ri