The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-12-07
WHO WAS ALICIA?

4ohA& -
writing of a 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 K~ensington with his fearfully alb
truse experiments and his new book on
steel fbers he was extremely attentive
and kind. And she was, with much
love, mammals affectionate daughter,
Helen Waterhouse.
Mamma won't believe it," said
young Mrs W~aterhouse, with a kind
of comic despair. "She is always
wanting to know about the skeleton.
Thank goodness there isn't oneg'
On the clean plotting pad was an i'm
press of some of her husbands writing.
A palette shaped mirror stood on the
table, and half unconsciously she turn
ed 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 iercely pink, with much
attention:
II want you, my dearest, to believe
that / am quite true to you. am bound
by certain ties to others, but to you,
my sweetheart, my own dearest Ali
cia"-
"Aliciar" cried Mrs. Waterhouse
aloud as she painted and sat back in her
chair. Alicia! Alicia who, Iwonder?'
She knew his writing SO well that she
could scarce be deceived on that point
The whole thing in a moment was clear.
Her dear mother, with q less Cramped
experience of the world, had been right,
after all.
There is a skeleton, - said the trem-
bling Mrs. Waterhouse. She tore her
letter to Biarritz into many pieces. AS
the last fragment went into the ferns in
the fireplace she felt a kiss upon her
neck.
Don't do that, please" " she cried.
beg pardon" said her husband.
did / brighten your"
He took off his hat and adjusted his
pincenez. His GOODNESS almost took her
breath away.
II must say, Godfrey, " she declared,
"that l can't help admiring your-your
cheek
MY love, ! admire yours. l meant
to have kissed it just now"
She took up a newspaper, and twist
ing it violently in her excitement made
an endeavor to speak with calmness.
81 have been reading rather am inter
esting fragment, Godfrey. Shall / tell
you what it is?'
Quote away"
Mrs. Waterhouse recited from the
coign of vantage furnished by a rug the
letter to Alicia. The professor dropped
his glasses and looked intensely dis
turbed.
Now, my dear love-"
"Oh, nol' 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 ID part Of the
letter to the girl, bat if you like | can
tell you y hat happcAs aftcrward."
81 don't want to know. II this gets
known, what will be thought of you?
You will be the laughing stock of all
our colleagues"
That's very true" acknowledged
Professor Warehouse, with concern.
That's very true, and it must never
get known. Ican't drop the affair now,
unfortunately, but, you know''-he
smiled at his wife a little anxiously-
there really is no harm i'll it, and I'm
not the only man who
Realty in a tone of remote and
frigid interest.
II frankly admit, though, that
should be very sorry for it to get known.
Of course 1t seems to you a very foolish
thing TO do"
'By no means."
"But / really don't believe that ]
could have endured the strain of writ.
ing that new work of mine If at the
same time / had not
"Let me ask You one more question,
please. understand, Godfrey, that yor
are sorry now that you ever lent your
self TO such a-such a despicable bust
ness.
That's not quite the point, dear.
He was recovering now his usual com
posture. That's not what I'm sorr,
for. I'm sorry to be found ont. I want
ed to keep it quiet. But there's n
earthly reason why anybody but ouI
selves should know. After all ever
man has his hobby"
sGeoffrey, 4 won't listen to you
sWelI, my dear, | cant force yon II
can Il? i believe il you would only Ii
me tell you the whole affair from begin
ming to end ydu wouldn't be SO muc