Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-15

pleasant, to judge by the expression of his face. He looks at his watch and thinks: "I'll just have time to manage it nicely'' Arriving at Thirty-fourth street he quick ly calls hack and drives to number of stores on Broadway, where he buys a ouan- tity of delicacies; then to Klunder's, where he alights, and comes out with a load of | different flowers, and one exquisite bouquet | composed wholly of little tea-roses Then | he gives the order to the hackman: "Drive | to- Fifth avenue, and be quickr' What: To his own house: Yes, to the closed con jugal nest. He has chosen his l tune well; the two servants in charge of the house have gone out and will not re- turn tlll afternoon; so, unobseryed and | without apparent remorse, rather with a | mysterious smile on his lips, he introduces the flowers and contrab and packages. With | lovers care he disposes on the great table III tho 0lnlng-roOm Q sweet little luncheon; draws up two chairs side by side and as close together as possible; arranges tho 1 flowers, and lays the bouquet of tea-roses | m the place Of honor. Atlength all is done. 1t Is perfect! Contented with his work. | the wretch he contemplates it for an in- stant, and claps his hands in satisfaction Then he pulls out his watch ssTen o'clock. She won't be here for an hour; | I've time to hurry to the office and get | through a little business.'' | If his wife could see these mysterious preparations! If she could see this accusing 1 table! And she shall see it. Destiny has so ordered.
 1 The hall door has scarce closed on him halt an hour before it opens again. His | wife enters; she has carried out her plan and come to the city to surprise him. She couldn't have chosen better day.
 Just little frightened at entering the familiar but deserted house, she runs nerv- ously through the hall, peeps into the l library, and then throws open the dining. room door. The scent of the f1owers-heavy perfume of eXpcctancy-rushes to greet her. She staggers, turning dizzy for min l ute, and then her nervousness disappears in the greater blow to her heart. It was | true, then! Her presentiment had not de. ceived her. This luncheon-fruit, bonbons. fiowers-rapidly her eye adds up the sum or the on:lnoUs details. What can she do? | The desire comes to her to break these porcelain dishes, these crystal goblets; to 1 hurl into the street this boGuuet-tea-roses 1 he knew they were her favorites ito tear Ii, to trallp!c it under foot
 | But she replaces ii. saying, in a strange, voice: Time enough for that, can wait wait till they come. Twill surprise him and and ncr!'
 The street door opens. With her nerve less limbs she has scarcely power to fling herself into q recess near the buffet ana draw curtain before her.
 Tno broker enters but alone. He wipes h!s brow, heated with fast walking, and says aloud, but in a low voice:
 Il feared was late, but she is not here yet'
 Like a man who knows no shame, hr draws a letter out of his pocket-a lovc-letter. He places 1t under the bouquet
 How she hates him at this momert-aId vows that sllo will always hate him!
 Standing at the window he watches for the coming of lis accomplice
 ''She ought to be here by now, that is, if she is going to come. Sydtlie said it was to- day
 Could she have heard arights Syd-their boy-her little Sydney! The name threw glcam across her troubled spirit. But he continued, ill tone of disappointment:
 ''l wish she had Some! Wouldn't she have been surprised in trying to surprise me! Id have given q round sum just to see her face when she looked in here r
 The wife behind the curtain could doubt no longer. The expected one was herself the r0scS-tae notc-were for her. Still trembling with the shock of that bad five minutes slsc pushed aside the lrapery.
 4 burst of hystcrical laughter startled the gentleman at the window: he turned and saw his wife laughing and sobbing at the same time Hanging to his neck, her head on his shoulder, she babbled, between | smiles and tears:
 ''Oh, dcarl dear! How frightened was 1 | i believcd-''
 Smiling he folded her in his arms. ''Con- fess, dearcst-you have been jealous?"
 On, no!-no, Sydney. What an ideal How-how absurd, 1 was nervous, all alone in this biz house-and then 1 didn't hear you come in. When looked up and saw man by the wisIdow nearly died of fright I'm all right now, and 50 hungry ! So Syddie told you i was coming: Little rogue! 1 wanted to surprise ur'-Wllis Steell, in Demorest S Magazine.