The Opelousas courier., 1892-01-23
lives out Watford way-but ne was IN
such a hurry I can hardly be sure"
uWbat 10 fhe mattar with her2h

lives out Watford way-but ne was IN
such a hurry I can hardly be sure"
aWhat is the matter with her?"
"He didn't say exactly. It seems he
got a telegram about ten, from her hus-
band, / think he said, saying that she
was very ill, that a dog cart would call
for him, aud that he was TO start at
once"
ELISA is his favorite sister"
$50 I gathered, as he Seemed dread
FUZZY cut up"
s.But why did he send you instead of
coming on to tell me?"
"Well, it seems it would have been
out of his way, whereas he must pass the
club, and he trusted to find somebody he
knew there was the fortunate man
and SO he asked me- il I would mind
coming on to say that or no account were
you to await his return, and | have
promised him to remain here till there is
a chance of his getting back. Until half
past two, in fact. If he is not in by
then, | am to know that he is detained.
You see, he thought I could explain mat
tiers better than the letter which I under
stood he had left for you"
"What letter."
"The one / told you of,
See, here it is, I dare say" he
picked up an addressed envelope on the
chimney-plaee, and handed it to her.
Mrs. Seymour burst open the letter,
saying, "Yes, aud here is the telegram
inclosed."
Sac read it aloud to her companion:
Coae at once. Lisa seriously ill. Am
sen | ng dos-cart to fetca you as too late for
trains. Should Lisainp.ove, will stop you
by messenger on thu road.-RoBER1
HUNTER.
Sylvia let the piece OF pink paper fut.
ter to the floor, while she read through
her husbands hastily scrubbed note.
DEAREST SFLvlA:-In closed explains it.
self. OF course [ must go. IF I am stopped
On the road by good news, | shall drive
straight back To town. Ii | nave to go, how.
ever, | saall telegraph to you the first thing
in the morning. Do not wait for me, as my
of returning are very slight. Dog
cart just arrived. In greatest haste.
JACK"
She handed the ndee to Mr.. Messiter.
aIt's awfully sad," he said kindly,
seeing how distressed she looked. "But
perhaps you'll hear better news in the
II hope so" she replied with a little
sigh. Then she reused herself, and said,
more cheerfully, "But all this time you
will be thinking me dreadfully inhospit-
able. Everything is oyer there" She
nodded toward q low table. s'and there
are both cigars and cigarettes. Which
is it to bel"
aThanks, a cigar"
"Now pray light up, and do take that
/ know it's all right, for it's my
husbands favorite. The ash tray is at
your elbow"
aNow that you have SO kindly fixed
me up, as the Yankees would say, won't
you do the right thing BY yourself and
70 to bed2'
stCertainly not. I am not one little
tired, and I'm going to sit up and
talk to you. Where shall we begin2 Our
odd introduction obviates the customary
preliminaries ordained by society be-
tween two people of opposite exc who
meet for the first time. Besides, I'm
sure you don't want to know what !
think Of tae last new play, and ( really
care about your opinion of the
Academy; 50 we can skip all that with
clear consciences."
by all means. Well, what shall we
talk about2'
"Ohi Wsshall drift into some topic OF
interest presently. Jack will do
to begin with. Tell me, do you see him
Mrs. Seymour turned her gaze from
the fire and full on to her companion as
she spoke. He looked her straight in
the eyes, as he answered:
.Yes, frequently at the club, and al
the courts
.Are you q barrister, too2'
mo; but one often has occasion to go
through the law courts, and of course
one rum against ones legal friends at
lunch time"
ssof course. Do you think he's al.
much since his marriage2"
aWho's altered2 All! your husband,
lack. No, | think he's the same as
ever. Steady, plodding-and-"he did
not finish the sentence, but smiled across
1t Sylvia.
II know what you're going to say
she answered, returning his smile with
interest. aJust a little too devoted to
MS work. He is-and I have rather
iull times now and a~gain-but, all the
same, I'm very proud Of Jack"
.Naturally.' Mr.. Messiter answered,
with a gravity 50 deep as to engender a
suspicion of its genuiness. ssAll wives
ire fond of their husbands"
Sylvia laughed aloud. aDo you really
thaS2s
fare they not2 I've often thought OF
marrying for the sake of gaining that
affection
His companion shook her pretty head.
"Gain the affection first, and then
marry afterward, if you like. That il
ny advice, and I'll supplement it with
piece. Take another cigar
Mr.. Messiter rose before replying,
No. thank, I must be going
.Going? But it's not yet two o'clock,
nd I thought you said
THAT I promised to wait for your
husband. Yes, ! did; but I also prom
sed him that yeu should go to bed"
81 really am not tired Mr.. Messiter,
sand even il T were I don't see WHY Vou