The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-12-12
A SAGE'S WEAKNESS.

writing of dutiful letter to her mother.
The letter assured the anxious old
lady that the writer was quite happy;
that there was really no necessity for
worry, and that mamma might make
herself quite content at Biarritz. Geof-
frey was the best of husbands, and al
though of course much engaged at South
Kensington with his fearfully abstruse
experiments, and his new book on
"Steel Fibers," he was extremely atten-
tive and kind. And she was, with much
love, mammals affectionate daughter,
Helen Waterhouse.
Mamma won't believe it, (" said young
Mrs. Waterhouse, with kind of comic
despair. "She is always wanting to
know about the skeleton. Thank good
ness, there isn't onei"
On the clean blotting-pad was an i'm
press of some of her husbands writing.
A palette-shaped mirror stood on the
table, and, half unconsciously, she turned
the pad toward it.
"Wonder to whom he has been writ
ing?"
1t was quite easy to see. Mrs. Water
house glanced at it casually at first;
then, her face fiercely pink, with much
attention:
81 want you, my dearest, to believe
that l am quite true to you. am bound
by certain ties to others, but to you, my
sweetheart, my own dearest Alicia -"
"Alicia!" cried Mrs. Waterhouse
aloud, as she painted and sat back in
her chair. alicia! Alicia who |
wonder!"
She knew his writing so well that
she could scarce be deceived on that
point. The whole thing in moment
was clear. Her dear mother, with less
cramped experience of the world, had
been right after all
There is skeleton, said the tremb-
ling Mrs. Waterhouse. She tore her
letter to Biarritz into many pieces. As
the last fragment went into the ferns in
the fireplace she felt kiss upon her
neck.
"Don't do that, please" she cried
"Beg pardon" said her husband.
did l frighten you?"
He took off his hat and adjusted his
pince-nez. His GOODNESS almost took
her breath away.
81 must say, Geoffrey," she declared,
''that I can't help admiring your-your
cheek"
"My love, 1 admire yours. 1 meant
to have kissed it just now."
She took up newspaper and, twist
ing it violently in her excitement,
made an endeavor to speak with calm
ness.
Il have been reading rather an inter-
esting fragment, Godfrey. Shall tell
you what it is?"
Quote away"
Mrs Waterhouse recited from the
coin of vantage furnished by rug the
letter to Alicia. The Professor dropped
his glasses and looked intensely dis
| turbed.
"Now, my dear love"
"Oh, MOI" said Mrs. Waterhouse.
my dear Helen, then, will you allow
| me to say"
Il only want to know one thing
Did you write this ridiculous stuff,
| please?"
"Why. yes. I'm not going to deny
that. Of course, it's only part of the
letter to the girl, but if you like 1 can
tell you what happens afterward."
T don't want to know. If this gets
known. what will be thought of youp
You will be the laughing stock of all
your colleagues"
That's very true" acknowledged
| Professor Waterhouse, with concern
s'that's very true, and it must never get
known. I can't drop the affair now, un-
fortunately; but, you know"-he smiled
at his wife little anxiously-"there is
no harm in it, and Pm not the only man
"Really?" In tone of remote and
frigid interest.
a frankly admit, though, that l should
be very sorry for it to get known. OF
course, it seems to you very foolish
thing to do"
"By no means"
"But really don't believe that could
have endured the strain of writing that
new work of mine if, at the same time,
had not"
"Let me ask you one more question,
please. I understand, Geoffrey, that
you are sorry now that you ever leant
yourself to such a-such despicable
business"
"That's not quite the point, dear.
He was recovering now his usual com
posure. That's not what I'm sorry
for. I'm sorry to be found out / want.
ed to keep it quiet. But there's nc
earthly reason why anybody but our.
selves should know. After all, every
man has his hobby"
"Geoffrey, I won't listen to you"
"Well. my dear, can't force you to-
can l? believe, if you would only lei
me tell you the whole affair from be-
ginning to end, you wouldn't be sc
much annoyed about it. 1t really isn't
so bad as you think. Alicia is a mos
delightful girl, and it has been re
creation for me, you know; and l have
been slogging away so of late, anc
-"
The door slammed Mrs. Water
house went upstairs to her room anC
hurriedly, very hurriedly, packed {
portmanteau. There was time to catct
the mail at Charing Gross, and she
meant to catch it. The great thing wa!
| e cat nrrrnr 70 R;n,,,.;ku f,sr,,s Ah.