The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1891-07-31
MADAME R0QUETTE,s

cozler room in any house in New York than
the breakfast room in John Wheatleighs
house. 1t was somewhere in the thirties, just
off Fifth avenue. of which a glimpse could be
caught through the east windows, which ad-
mitted lood Of sunlight on the glass and
plate and fine dalnask Of the table, and
brought out the golden light in Mrs. Wheat
leighs brown hair
There could not have been more agree
able couple to look upon, eithcr-hc, tall,
athletic, with an open, manly countenance-
she, pretty, elegant and womanly They
were a happy pair, too, as happiness goes,
and no heavier cloud tarkened their matri-
mlonial sky than the one which was now how
ering over the breakfast table. For that
there was cloud this morning there could
be no possible doubt, The fulhess about
Mrs Wheatleigh's lips, the droop of her lids
and the elevation Of hereyebrows formed an
unGeninble pout, while her husbands face
expressed doubt, anxiety and annoyance in
turn. Though the atmosphere was clear
when the meal began the doubt had been
lurking in John Wheatleigh's eyes ever since
he took his seat at the table. In his heart it
expressed itself in the hesitation between Il
will tell her" and II won't tell her. The
s'won'tsr had the best OF it at first; it seemed
unnecessary; there wns no reason why he
should, and perhaps Nettie would not under
stand it, which would be very awkward
Then he considered the affirmative side of
the question: Nettie was thoroughly sensi-
bic woman; she had never shown the least
trace of jealousy; anything that he would
tell her about, honestly and openly, she
would consider right, or if she did not she
would tell him so gently and without any
fuss.
He looked at her as she bent her pretty
head over the morning paper, humming a
little tune meanwhile. She seemed to feel
his gaze, and gIancing up at him smiled.
Johns heart smote him. How could he think
OF keeping anything from his sweet little
wife OF course he would tell her he was
half sorry he had promised to go; if she OBJ
jected he wouldn't "Just as soon as finish
this egg, thought he 'sInthe meantime III
think Of the best way to tell her.
That was fatal egg for John, He was
some time in disposing of it. When he had
finished be cleared his throat and had
actually uttered the initial NJ Of his
wifes name when Mrs. Wheateigh cried,
"Oh. John, they're going to play Gym
baIine' tonight; won't you take mel'
That question was the deathknell Of John
Wheatleighs confession. He could never
tell his wife, in excuse for not taking her to
the theatre, that he was going himself with
another lady, or at least party in which
there were other ladies,
Tonight did you say, Nettiea / don't be-
lieve l can go tonight
"Oh, John, why notf
ssWon't tomorrow night dor
no. said Mrs. Wheatleigh, looking at the
paper, .'this is the only performance Of
sCymbeiine'7
81 am going to be out tonight, Nettie; |
don't think can take yop very well; but
any other nightI willbe glad TO-"
You are going the club, suppose /
with yoa did not spend 50 much time there. Is
this Something 50 important that it can't be
put c-1. l do want to see 'Cymbline' SO
much.
ssSea here Nettie, it's like this said John;
SD. Wilson, a friend Of mine from out Of
town, is going to be here tonight, and |
want to show him around little, and-and
take lin to the club. perhaps; in fact, I've
written to him promising to meet him. Now
do be reasonable, Nettie."
The cloud lifted from Mrs Wheatleiglis
brow entirely. "a will be reasonable, John;
Of course if you are engaged with your
friend i shan't interfere. Ill tell you what
Imight do, If you will get the tickets, I'll
send over to Cynthia Olds to go with me; she
will be glad Of the chance. We'lltake cab
and drive to theatre, and it will be perfectly
SAFE
John was glad to have the matter settled
SO easily, but bis wife's sharp speech still
ranked little, and be felt that be ought not
to give in all at once.
~ don't like you going out night without
an escort, and | don't like you going with
Cynthia 0lds, anyhow. What you see in her
to make you want to continue the intimacy,
Ican't imagine. She is a silly, simpering old
girl, without an idea that she hasn't got
from some yellow backed novel, and wo-
man whose tongue runs as hers does is sure
to be a dangerous companion
"Cynthia is not so bad as you make her
out John; she is foolish about some things,
know, and exaggerates good deal, but |
never heard her say anything i'll natured
about anybody. tits apleasure to take her
out, she enjoys everything SO much. But as
you evidently do not wish me to go the thea
Ire, ! shall say no more about it.
There, my dear. You may do as you like, /"
said John "Ask Cynthia to 90 with you
and ! will bring the tickets tonight" And
80 all was serene.
When John Wheatleigh took his seat in the
elevated train be drew letter from bis
pociret-fhe letter which caused the little jar
ii bis home that bad 50 quickly subsidized. lie
read it hastily:
NEWARK, n. j., April 10.
DEkE WHEATLEIGH 1 am coming over 10
New York on Thursday with NV wife and
Der sisteF-you remember Ethel OF course.
We want 10 go somewhere In the evening,
and would 10 delighted to have you join u
1t the Hoffman house at d for dinner, and
make partie earree. hear the operetta ol
Madame Roquetten u very good; may ]
commission YOU to secure four places for OuIf
party, and don't fail to meet us7 Ny Wife
wishes to DO remembered Yours truly.