The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-06-06

She wanted him to be devoted to her
and to nobody else. She hated to think
of him working-actually working-all
day long. He car home to dinner, it
was true; but he was not fond of dining
out, and when dinner was over, he was
tired, and liked to stay quietly at home
and go to bed at half past 10. Such an
existence as this was the next thing to
uncomfortable to a woman like Sylvia
Tunstall. Forty years hence, perhaps,
this Darby and Joan kind of life might
be practicable; but not now, in the flush
of youth, variety and curiosityl She alb
solutely would not stand It'll
Tunstall was manly, straightforward,
single hearted fellow, and at first he did
not comprehend his wife's attitude. He
had homely ideas Of married life, and
the routine of social dissipation was
without attractions for him. When at
last he learnt how matters stood, he
thought it over, and came to the conclu-
sion that his wife had much reason on
her side. She was young, good looking
and full of the " lr of life, and it was
only natural and proper in her to wish to
see and to be seen. So be began by at
tempting to Ego out" with her; but he
presently discovered that going to bed at
3 o'clock in the morning was not COM
patible with having breakfast at half
past T. He then tried giving dinners
twice a week and a reception once a
month; but Sylvia pointed out to him
that the customs Of good society de-
manded that they should accept invita-
tions as well as give them; so that his.
second state babe fair to be even worse
than his first. What was to be done?
He would not consent to give up his bust
ness; on that point he was firm. Sylvia
was equally convinced that it was i'm
possible to give up society. For time
there threatened to be deadlock
Finally compromise was effected.
Sylvia had relations and particular
friends who were in society, and of
whose escort and countenance she could
avail herself. Her husband could take
her to places and her relatives or
friends could bring her home again. By
degrees it was found unnecessary to have
him take her, and she both went and re-
turned without him. His anticipations
of domestic felicity were Disappointed;
but Sylvia was enjoying herself, and he
always looked forward to time when
she would weary of gayety and return
to him. He loved her as much as ever
and was proud of her social popularity;
he had perfect faith in her truth and
honor. He ate his dinner and went
to bed alone, and when he rose in the
morning he was careful not to awaken
his wife. That was the style of the
menage.
But Cuthbert Tunstall was not fool
fact which his wife perhaps failed to
fully appreciate, AS long as her conduct
was above reproach, according to the
somewhat vague standards of society, he
would not interfere with her pleasures;
but he was not the man to permit the
least step beyond this. And though he
was naturally unsuspicious, and slow to
wrath, any one who understood men
would have known that it would be IN
comfortable to arouse him. But Sylvia
got the idea that she could do exactly as
she pleased, and she did it,
One day Tunstall got hint from some
precious friend of his-a very distant,
indirect, ambiguous and innocent hint,
but hint all the same. He appeared
not to understand it, and passed it over
without comment; but the repressed
emotion which it aroused was so strong
that he came near fainting where he
stood
He attended to his business the same
as usual, returned home at his customary
hour and sat down to his solitary dinner.
His wife was upstairs dressing. By and
by she came down to say good-by to him
for the evening, She was beautifully
dressed and was lovely to look upon
Cuthbert looked at her in silence.
Good night, dear" she said, drawing
on her gloves. II suppose you won't be
up when 1 come home"
mot if you come at your usual time"
II wish you'd drop your horrid bust
ness and come with me-"
VI am more useful as l am. DO you
know gentleman by the name Of Percy
Eolen?"
"Percy Nolen? No-yes-I believe
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 he?"
pursued the husband, quietly.
81 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"
won't you want something to eat
when you get homer"
ooh, no. Don't bother. l shan't be
hungry"
at might be better to order something
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 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 a smile on her lips
o,,l i'll ,.,r hood