The Florida agriculturist., 1889-06-12

i do.
These were her words, but her face and
the tone of her voice betrayed her, and
they both knew it.
HE is an agreeable fellow. isn't heP"
pursued the husband, quietly.
II suppose he is like the rest; all men
are alike to me-except you, of course,
dear! But why do you ask?"
Some one who knows him happened
to mention him today. Well, and what
Is going on tonight"
'Dine at Mrs Murray's. and then the
theatre"
Wont you want something to eat
when you get homer"
''Oh, no. Don't bother. | shan't be
hungry"
to be ready for you here than to take
supper at Delmonico's. he said slowly,
looking her in the eyes.
She turned away her eyes after a mo-
ment. ostensibly to pull up her cloak
81 had no idea of going to Delmonico's,"
she said, in slightly strained voice.
"Of course notr' he repeated; and
then he turned to his evening paper, and
she went out, with smile on her lips
and fear in her heart.
Her husband had given her warning,
and he hoped against hoped that it would
be sufficient. He would not take the
next step unless she compelled him to it;
but he was resolved (and she partly felt
it, that the next step would be final
How much he actually knew of her fir
tation with Percy she could of course
only conjecture She had taken supper
with him in private room of a fash
ionable restaurant the night before They
had not been alone; there had also been
present another young married woman,
and young man not married. But the
two couples had not been in each others
way, they had rather helped each other
out. 1t was certainly not an affair which
Sylvia would have wished to have gen
orally known-least of all to be suspected
by her husband Did he know about it?
or had his questions been only the result
of chance? She wished to believe the
latter. but she could not.
After all, she did not seriously care for
Percy Nolen 1t had been mere flirta-
ton for pastime. She had not supposed
that her husband would care much, even
ii he knew He had not of late betrayed
any very passionate affection for her. If
he loved her. why did he not accompany
her on her social rounds? It was ridicu-
lous to say that he was obliged to attend
to his business. They had plenty of
money without any business. There was
nothing except his own obstinacy to pre-
vent him from retiring tomorrow and
never going near his Office again. But
if he preferred his business to his wife,
why could he not allow his wife her
preferences? 1t was unjust and tyran-
nical
Nevertheless, if he was determined to
be ugly about it. of course there must be
no scandal She would tell Percy, the
next time she saw him. that the ac-
quaintance must cease. 1t was not worth
while to run any risks on his account
Having made up her mind to this, she
was more at ease.
After the second act at the theatre
Percy Nolen came into her box She
greeted him coldly. but he sat down be-
side her. and began to make various pro-
Dositions She repulsed him, but not
very vigorously: At last she whispered:
"You must really be more careful! Peo-
pie are beginning to observe us. If any
thing should happen. would never for
give you!
Il will take every precaution, butt
love you" he replied in her ear He had
never said so much before, and she
L