The Press., 1895-04-18
WHO WAS ALICIA?

I 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 ab- 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 Waterhouse, with a kind of comic despair. ''She is always wanting to know about the skeleton. Thank goodness there isn't one!'
 On the clean plotting pad was an inn 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?''
 It was quite easy to see. Mrs. Water house glanced at it casually at first, then, her face fercely pink, with much attention:
 ''I want you, my dearest, to believe that am quite true toyou. lam bound by certain ties to others, but to you, my sweetheart, my own dearest Ali cia''-
 "Aliciar' cried Mrs. Waterhouse aloud as she panted and sat back in her chair. Alicia! Alicia who, wonder"
 She knew his writing so we'll that she could scarce be deceived on that point. The whole thing in moment was clear. Her dear mother, with a less cramped experience of the world, had been right, after all.
 "There is 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 frighten you?'' He took off his hat and adjusted his | pincenez. His coolness almost took her breath away.
 II must say, Godfrey, she declared, ''that can't help admiring your-your cheek
 My love, admire yours. 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.
 ''I have been reading rather an inter- esting fragment, Godfrey. Shall I tell you what it is?'' "Quote away"
 Mrs. Warehouse recited from the coign of vantage furnished by 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''-
 II 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 I can tell you what happens afterward."
 "I don't want to know. If this gets known, what will be. thought of you? 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 ill it, and Pm | mt the only man whO'-
 'Really?' in tone of remote and frigid interest,
 ''I frankly admit, though, that l Of course it seems to you very foolish thing to do. '
 By no means. "
 ''But I really don't believe that l 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 you are sorry now that you ever lent your self to such a-such despicable busi- ness.'
 ''That's not quite the point, dear. " He was recovering now his usual com posture. N"That's not what I'm sorry for. I'm sorry to be found out want ed to keep it quiet. But there's no earthly reason why anybody but our man has his hobby"
 "Geoffrey, won't listen to you."
 "Well, my dear, can't fierce you to, can l? believe if you would only let he tell you the whole affair from begin. Oing to end you wouldn't be SO much nnoyed about it. It really isn't so bad as you think. Alicia is a most delight. full girl, and it has been a recreation for me, you know, and I have been slog- ging away so of late, and'-
 The door slammed. Mrs. Waterhouse went up stairs to her room and hurried. ly, very hurriedly, packed a portman- teau. There was time to catch the mail at Charing Cross, and she meant to get away to Biarrirz, away from the stiding atmosphere of this house, away. from London. She rang for her maid,
 Parker. :"
 "Yes, ma am.
 ''The mail goes at 8 from Charing Cross. think?''
 ..Tt used to go at 8, ma 'am, {" said Parker cautiously. "When we went away, if you remember
 Yes, yes, of course. I want you to pack bag for yourself, and we will catch the mail tonight. :"
 Catch the mail, ma'am, tonight?"
 ''Yes, yes. Lose no time, please, and send out for cab. 2 s Well, Ineyeri'' murmured Parker,
 Mrs Waterhouse had some intention of having one fine. big, square scene with her husband before she left, but there was little time to spare More, lnyer, 1t occurred to her that she oopl9