The herald., 1894-09-21

opened by two girl porters, and the ccu-
pie entered The lady wrote her hus-
bands name in book which was On
ttand in the hall, and together they en-
tered the large dining room, where they
took their places at one Of the small ta-
bles set for two near one Of the large
front windows
1--WE will take the regular club
lunon, she said to one Of the walters.
"And bring bottle Of '84 champagne
"a large bottle"
IL don't think I care for cham
pagne," said Madax hesitatingly. '1t
gives me a headache.
"Nonsensep' cried his wife. "a glass
or two will do you good. You look
worried.
II am worried, and that is what i
wished to see you about"
well, we won't talk business dur
ing lunch, If you please" adding as she
leaned back in her chair: TITS habit
never indulge in. It's bad one. We
can have talk in the smoking room
afterward. How are the children?''
Every well, thank you The girl is a
little hard on the boy and knocks him
about bit but they are getting on
very well"
Poor little fellow" said Mrs. Ma
dax. Boys arc such worry to their
parents when one thinks that they have
to encounter this world alone 1 must
run down and see them next week If I
can.
'I wish you would" said Madax.
'"The children miss you very much.
Why don't you come home oftener?''
"Well, very soon expect to be able
to do so, she replied; "but, like you,
have a great deal on my mind at pres
ent, and the market requires very close
watching"
Cant you come home with me to-
night?" he asked. "The children would
be SO pleased to see you.
"No," she answered. "Ihave to take
Sir Caesar Camp out to dinner tonight. I"
Tomorrow night, then?" he sug-
gested deprecatingly.
"No," said the lady, shaking her
head "It's worse still tomorrow night
l have lot Of stockholders dining with
me at the Holborn.
"It must cost you lot Of money,
these dinners on every night"
eyes, it does,'' said Mrs. Madax,
"but my experience is il you want to
make good business deal with man
you must first feed him we'll. I always
see that the wines are irreproachable.
l will say one thing for the men--that
they always know good wine when they
taste it,"
"Well," said Madax, IT will tell the
children that you send your love to
them, but I think. you know, that a
woman shouldn't lose sight of her chill
dren, even though business is absorb
ing"
She urged him to take his share Of
the champagne, but Madax declined.
saying, "a man must keep his head
clear for business nowadays"
"Yes," said his wife. ''I suppose a
man must. !"
There was slight tinge Of sarcasm
in her voice, and she put unnecessary
emphasis on the noun. Madax looked
grieved, but said nothing. How often
do women in their thoughtless rudeness
cause pain to the tender hearts of those
who love theml
After lunch was over Mrs. Madax led
the way up stairs to the private smoks
ing room which she had reserved for
their use 1t was in corner of the club
building, overlooking bit of the river
and commanding view of Charing
Cross railway bridge.
1--WE will be quite undisturbed here, I"
she said, land can talk business. -
Ringing bell to give an order, she
asked her husband:
"What will you drink"
Nothing, thank you," he replied,
but added afterward, II will have a
glass Of milk and soda If you can get
it."
"You will smoke, of course, /" said his
wife.
"A cigarette, answered Madax.
When the waiter appeared Mrs.
Msdax said, 'tBring glass of milk and
soda some OF the best Egyptian ciga-
rettes. two Havana cigars and a glass Of
special Scotch with seltzer.''
When these materials were brought
ana the waiter had disappeared, Mrs.
Madax walked to the door and turned
the key In it. Her husband lit his ciga-
rette from the match she held out to
him, and then, biting the end from her
own cigar, she began to smoke. She
thrust her two hands deep down in her
pockets and began to. pace up and down
the room.
''Now, John," she cried, "what's
the rouble?"
Mr. Madax's name was Billy, but
everybody called him John because his
wife's name was Joan. Mr.. John Ma,
dax was the name he was known by.
Some months ago. began Mr.. Ma
dax, II went into wheat deal, and
don'tquite see my way out"
Mrs Madax stopped in her pacing
and faced her husband in surprise.
"a wheat deall" she cried (Which
side Of the market are you on?"
'Oh, I'm on for riss.''
His wife made a gesture of despair
and began walking up and down the
room again.
"What in heavens name did you buy
for rise for?"
"Well." said Madax very humbly,
"you see, the American wheat crop had
practically failed, and I thought was
pretty sure of rise
"Why didn't Won sneak to me- abo11t