Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-04-14
A MARITAL EPISODE.


Yes, Raoul had certainly married for
love, and he had thrown himself with
such enthusiasm into his new life that
In day all his relations with the outer
world were shattered--like glass. He
shut himself In his sanctuary, turned the
key on the inside and tasted his happi-
ness drop by drop. When by chance
You encountered him he hardly gave you
word; he seemed to be afraid of his
past, and took care to avoid all those
who could possibly recall IL to mind.
Raoul was thus for some eight months.
Toward the middle OF the ninth he had
relapse into former habits. One met
him more frequently. He had resumed
his cigars, walked more leisurely and
did not disdain to cast an occasional
glance at a pretty woman.
This was not because he was less hap
by In his home or loved less his pretty
little wife. Oh, no, not ut all: for when
ever ] met him he assured me earnestly
that his wife was treasure"
When u husband says this so positively
there Is no room to doubt that he Is still
lover. You do not agree with mes A
man, you say, who announces thus that
his wife Is a treasure Is man who blows
upon ten or ashes already cold. All,
well, perhaps you are right; when the
fire flames one warns himself and gem
orally says nothing.
To tell the truth. Raoul had begun to
blow upon his fire. The sweetness that
had intoxicated him nine months ago
appeared TO him now little insipid, the
warm temperature about him little
heavy. and when his wife came softly
behind him and kissed him on the brow
he began TO notice what he had never
noticed before--that she ruffied his hair.
He said nothing, but was irritated, an
poyed; all the more 10 MS the tender lit
tie woman, seeing nothing herself, after
her kiss would close his eyes with her
little hands and laugh like a gleeful
child.
''Come. come, Louise" said he one
morning. finding IL impossible to be 81
lent longer, do you not SEQ that am
reading7"
.'Then say. My dear little wife, |
adore youf and III let you CO. fsoaiaa
returned. with the pout of an angel
''But have said it five hundred and
one times already, and to be frank,
Louise, decline to be forced to repeat
ID every quarter Of an hour" And he
stopped for his book, which had fallen
10 the floor, and closing as il fell, Obliged
him to lose i've minutes more seeking
the place where he had left of. which SO
much increased his bad hnmor that ten
minutes later when they sat down to
lunch he found the soup decidedly too
salt, and said so.
why. no, Raoul; do not find 1t so, :
Louise returned innocently.
"Bnt do, and that settles it," Raoul
declared peremptorily. pouring water in
his bouillon with determined air. The
fact is, my dear, your cook knows no
more OF seasoning than she knows Of
finance. This food Is UNBEATABLE. Il Is
only at q restaurant that a presentable
Gllet can be had" And he breathed a
sort Of sigh that resembled stifled re-
greet.
But n month ago she pleased you, !"
urged Louise, who. In spite of her love
and gentleness. did not lack spirit: IL
do not understand it,
"You do not understand, Now. why
do you say that? And such tone, The
very minute, il seems to me, that | OBJ
ject TO anything, YOU jump 10 the con-
elnsion that ara content with nothing. !.
IL did not say that"
lyon leave it to be supposed, never.
iheiess."
Silence fell between them, but mean
while Raonl. stiil Tuning, thought how.
presently. they would go TO install them
selves In the sitting room. having neither
theater nor bail 20 attend this evening;
that he would open his paper, and, while
reading, he would see over It's edge the
regular movement OF his wife's needle.
plying back and forth In that eternal
embroidery; and that. after the paper,
be would resume his book, yawn three
tsmes. look at the clock, and then, TO
Keep him from going to sleep entirely,
mas Mite would appeal TO him with the
usual qnsziion; "Blue, black or red In
this corner. Raoali What do you say
pct7"
"PetF An suppression that had once
brought tears Of tenderness TO his ewes
and that now seemed absurd.
AL these thoughts came one by one
and gradually he felt his bad humor In.
crease, al suddenly he resumed SHARP
ly. 81 do not see what there u SO extra
ordinary in wishing 10 hare properly
cooked fillet."
"Weil. was wrong; I'll see to the
Eext. Louise answered, with manner a
little prim.
Raoul laid down knife aud fork re-
aignedly.
my dear child" said he, shave said
that you were wrong9 You have very
singular mania for posing as an injured
person.
Al heart he feit himself unjust, but
anger was stronger than be, and mount
I'd 10 bis brssn-