Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-03-28

and bridegroom caused Mr.. and Mrs.
Drummond to be paired off together
very much as they had been in the vii
lage society.
However, as time passed on newer
brides appeared on the scene. Estelle
was merely Mrs. Drummond. People
took no special pains to bring her for
ward. 1t remained for her To do the
best she could for herself. And now
Arthur slipped away occasionally.
She saw him talking TO this one or to
that one, and at first her beauty and
sweetness attracted the men about her,
II was not long, however, before
they discovered that she could talk of
nothing but her Arthur's perfection,
and the wisdom of the ancient clergy
man, her father. She was shy of ex-
pressing her opinion OIL other topics,
and she had never learned TO tiirt.
Her idea OF matronly dignity gave her
manner some stiffness, and at the lit
tie dances they discovered that she not
only could not dance, but that she felt
that it would be wrong to do SC.
1T would shock papa if he should
hear of it." she would answer when
some more than usually gallant youth
besought her to try" and declared
that he would teach her the waltz in q
few moments, and by degrees she be-
came a handsome wall flower, patron
lied by elderly matrons and occa-
sional grandfathers, while Arthur de-
voted himself to the ladies generally,
and only appeared at her elbow at the
end Of the evening.
Then he would wrap her in herpret-
~ cloaks, smile on her benignly, tell
her how lovely she looked, and con-
vey her home with all due devotion.
1t pleased him that his white rosebud
should set herself apart for him, should
choose ITO blush unseen when he did
not look upon her. At first Estelle
was content, less, however, as time
passed on, and her blissful little air
castles melted one by one, and at the
ball the first protest came.
Arthur was a good dancer. He had
refrained from Waiting simply be-
cause he hated to dance on the carpet
in a crowded drawing room. But
here in this elegant ball room, where
all the youth and beauty of the city
were assembled, his old delight in
dancing returned. He had secured a
partner for every dance of the evsn-
ing. He was proud TO point out that
exquisitely lovely woman in the
graceful and modest costume as his
wife; he thought how unpleasant it
would be 10 be the husband OF the
married flirt, Mrs. A, and that the
fellow who married Miss Merle would
be very wretched. But, as you see,
he devoted his evenings to them and
others like them, looked into their
eyes, clasped their waists a little closer
than need be, was loverlike and senti-
mental with one, whispered merry
words that might mean more than lay
On the surface to another. and relegat-
ed his wife to the company OF that su-
perior but somnolent old lady, Mrs.
Jackson.
shall ! have a scene2" he asked
himself as he went in search of Es-
telle, after his last dance with q de-
butante, who could not be prevailed
upon by her chaperon to 60 home ''un.
til it was all over" but, to his sur
prise, his wife was merely a little chill
ly. He did not like the chilliness,
but was too wise to reproach her with
1t. At breakfast she was q little dis
trait, but by no means cross. Arthur
was delighted. After all, he was to be
let Oft very easily, and when in bid
ding him adieu his wife handed him
q letter which she desired him to post
be was quite gallant ~ promising to
execute the little duty. He glanced at
the envelope as he walked along. The
name upon it was quite new to him
Mr.. Louis Romaine, - Hotel"
He had never heard his wife men
ton any Romaines, but the thought
was only a passing one.
For a day or two business kept him
out a great deal, but he found Estelle
in good spirits on his return.
One day he opened the door TO hear
the hum of voices, tie chink Of spoons,
and TO find his wife presiding over
quite an elegant little afternoon tea.
Three or four very fashionable ma
irons and one heavy old gentleman oc-
cupied the foreground, but behind Es-
telle's chair stood a veritable modern
Adonis-one of those men VINO some
how seem better dressed than other
men in the same clothes.
An impromptu affair, certainly, Ar
thur thought, for Estelle had always
impressed upon him the fact hat
what made the assembly shine was
Robin Adair;" in other words, that
she did not care 10 have company il
he were not present. Still, his wife's
elaborate dress, the hot house flowers
that adorned the room, spoke of prep
aration.
He said something about IAN unex-
pected pleasure" shook hands with
those he knew, and waited.
The exquisite who sat 50 close TO Es-
telle had arisen, and looked politely
from one 10 the other.
For a space Estelle did not seem 10
heed this, then she said, as if remem
bering a very unimportant duty:
"Oh, my husband, Mr.. Romaine;
forgot you mad not met. What a guam
tity Of cold air you do bring into the
room, Arthur"
Sorry" said Arthur, barely nod
ding in return 10 Romaine's elegant
bow, and shortly took himself out Of
the room.