Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-10-23
in particular to say, he lacked courage

selves about the way in which Rouse
contrived to save the typewriter's la
bors, but they did not suspect the re-
lations between the two, and there was
so little intercourse between them now
that it was not possible to suspect that
therA was any especial intimacy.
Cecil grew little paler as time went
on, and Carl, who had a tender heart,
noticed il. He felt keen pangs of con-
science sometimes that Cecil was here
working beyond her strength, or at least
dropping under the confinement of her
position. and at other times he blamed
her, getting thoroughly angry with the
obstlnacy which had refused to all ow
him to provide .or her support. He
was unable to hide from himself the
fact however, that he really respected
her for her independence and pluck,
and he was forced also to own to him
self that whatever she did or did not
was, after all, no concern of his.
She coughed hoarsely one morning
when she was giving him the instruc-
tons for the day, and this called from
him half angry protest.
"Is it necessary for you to kill your
self in this beastly old placer" he de-
handed, with sudden irritation.
IT am not killing myself" she an
swered, with a smile.
Then what do you cough in that way
for ?''
Because it is the only way to cough
that have learned, I suppose"
Carl frowned fiercely.
1T doesn't seem to me in the best Of
taste,'' he responded GROSSLY, Ito jest
about thing like that"
Cecil smiled, but she did not continue
the subject.
And these South American letters
are to go next ?" she asked.
Eyes," he answered with great digni-
ty, and an air which said plainly
enough latter all, why should trouble
myself about your"
But Cecil sighed as she turned back
to her work, and said to herself that she
had done wrong in remaining in the
Office after she found that Carl was
there. She was weak and lonely, and
ready to break down, but she had
plenty of spirit. She had no mind to
give up now. although she tried to think
what the end of this would be if she
found no way out of the snarl.
She could not bear to give up, how
ever, and more than that she could not
make up her mind to leave. Carl. She
knew they could no longer be anything
to each other, of course, but still her
woman's heart pinned to be near him.
1t was something to see him and hear
his voice, even if only spoke of the
business of the day, and dictated the
letters to South America.
Meanwhile Carl was making his way
with rapidity which was surprising,
and one fine day he was taken into the
firm. This would in the natural course
fittings have put the Cuty Of laying out
the work of the copyist into other
hands, but he somehow contrived to
keep it himself Cecil noticed this, and
while she did not build any hopes upon
it, she did own to herself that she was
secretly glad. She did not know that
in making man think of her a woman
had accomplished great deal, and Carl
had thought more of Cecil since they
came together this second time than he
had in all his life before.
Chance supplied at this junction of "a
fairs just that spice Of jealousy which
was needed to set into flame all the
latent tenderness for Cecil which Carl
really felt. One of her old school
friends had been lett widow, and at
brother. He acted as escort to his sis
ter, and it was natural that now and
then Cecil should make one of the
party to the theater or some concert.
On one occasion when the three were
to go to the play. the sister was taken
with a bad headache at the last mo-
ment and was unable to go. She insist
ed that the others should go without
her, and, as it was too late to invite a
third person, Cecil and the young man
went together.
1t happened that the young man was
a very handsome young man, and it
CHANGED. too, that Carl was that even
ing at the theater and saw the pair to-
gether. Next morning he said to Cecil
with his most sternly judicial air.
Il saw you at the theater last night"
"AE," she returned, flushing a little
at the tone of his voice,
eyes," Carl went on. "Who was that
dandifed fellow with you ?'
Il do not know, Mr.. Rouse, that the
fact that [ am in your employ gives you
either the right to question me about
my movements outside the Office, or to
abuse my friends who are not here to
defend themselves"
1t was CARTS turn to flush, and it was
with difficulty that he repressed the
angry retort that rose to his lips. It
was perhaps the first time In his lite
that he had allowed Cecil to rebuke
him unanswered. but it is to be sup
posed that the discipline did him no
harm. He turned on his heel and
walked swiftly away, but this time Ce-
Gil, who knew her ex-husband pretty
well, did not sigh but smiled.
For day or two after this Carl was
stately and distant in his treatment of
Cecil, and then he broke this stiffness
suddenly with the request that she 90
to the theater with him.
II thank you very much," Cecil said,
''but think on the whole had better
say no. You must be aware of the
dreadful amount of nonsense there is
talked about the relations between
typewriters and their employers, and
perhaps, as in our case, you know there
might be especial reason Tor talk"
Nonsense p he broke out impatient
ly, "What do you care what people
say, anyway? And I haven't had a
real good time at the theater since you
stopped going with me-"
II am very sorry" she replied, not
looking at all 80, '.but I don't think L
had better do il, thank you"
"But you went with the other fell
low"
ooh, that is very different thing