Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-12-15
WHO WAS ALICIA?

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 alb
truse experiments and his new book on
steel fibers 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. Waterhouse, with kind
of comic despair. "She is always
wanting to know about the skeleton.
Thank goodness there isn't one!'
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 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 fiercely pink, with much
attention:
81 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''-
"Alician' 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.
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 kiss upon her
neck.
Don't do that, please" she cried.
"Beg pardon" said her husband
"Did l frighten your
He took off. his hat and adjusted his
pincenez. His GOODNESS almost took her
breath away.
II must say, Geoffrey," she declared,
"that can't help admiring your-your
cheek
my love, l 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 calmness.
81 have been reading rather an inter.
esting fragment, Geoffrey. 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, mol" said Mrs. Waterhouse
my dear Helen then, will you allow
me to say
81 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 can
tell you what happens afterward.
81 don't want to know. If this gets
known, what will be thought of youi
You will be the laughing stock of all
your colleagues
'"That's very true" acknowledged
Professor Waterhouse, with concern.
''That's very true, and it must never
get known. can't drop the affair now,
unfortunately, but, you know"-he
smiled at his wife little anxiously-
"there really is no harm in it, and I'm
not the only man who''-
"Really?'' in a tone of remote and
frigid interest.
81 frankly admit, though, that
should be very sorry for it to get known.
Of course it seems to you very foolish
thing to do.
"By no means"
"But l 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, Geoffrey, that yor
are sorry now that you ever lent your
self to such a-such despicable bust
ness"
'That's not quite the point, dear. >
He was recovering now his usual com
posure. "That's not what Pm sorry
for. I'm sorry to be found out. want
ed to keep it quiet. But there's nj
earthly reason why anybody but our