The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-06
HIS LITTLE DINNER.

1" Your mistress-has she come in yet?''
he demanded eagerly, as the servant opened
the door.
fNo, SIR
Thus treasured, he drew from behind
his back a hand in which be held a big
bunch of roses, which, if not very choice
or artistic in their selection, still spoke
eloquently OF a great, loving heart. His
eyes sparkled, his fingers trem bled with
joy, when, in the dining room moment
later, he arranged his flowers in hand
some vase, and with tender little pats and
touches set them carefully in the center of
the little round table. Then from his
pocket ha, drew tiny jewel case and hid it
under ole Of the two napkins.
F'Now,'' he mumured, smiling gayly,
"now shs may come in!''
Now that his preparations were finished,
he sat down to wait, idle, restless, fumbling
at this and that with his big, awkward
hands. How was it all going to happen?
Should he run to meet her, take her in Eis
arms and call her my beloved?'' No; ct
first he would say nothing. He would
seem quite Indifferent, unconcerned; then,
by accident, his arm would slip round her
waist and he would lead her-as it were
unconsciously-to the dining room door,
where he was going to enjoy the delight of
her surprise and pleasure.
All, at last a-step outside His JOY must
be disguised lest she suspect something
and again he caught up the paper. 1T is
wired from London 1T is wircd from
London but the words danced before his
eyes, red, blue, greer-he could not dis
tinguish another Ietter-a hand, her hand,
was. on the knob!
She entered, blond, beautiful, but look
ing out from tho soft, luxurious warmth
of her costly furs a little weary, a little
disheveled, after an afternoon spent in Wis
ting shopping, swift riding in coupe.
The good day she gave him seemed a
little weary, too, the gesture a little petu-
liant with which she drew off her gloves,
threw back her furs and dropped into
chair.
Il am very late said she, "and we
must dine quickly. The Daubignys are
coming to take me with them to the OPP
era. .
He started, panied and surprised.
ssWhat, you are going out. dearest?
thought we were to spend the evening to-
gether here in our little nest"
She had thrown herself into a low, easy
chair, with her tiny feet outstretched to
the fire ''Really, my dear, you are very
unreasonable, . she answered inditferently.
.sIt was very good of the Daubignys to in
wife me, and as I am not at all spoiled,
you know, by visits to tho theater I ao-
copied with pleasure. Still, if you wish
to forbid my going you can; you are my
master; the law is on your side. "
He dropped the paper YEARLY, all the
brightness gone from his face. There is
no need to be angry, dearest, - he expostu-
lated. 81 Ind no thought or wish to de-
prive you of a pleasure. You reprcach
me- too, needlessly. You know that l
am nearly always busy in the evenings.
Tonight, however, 1 am free, and I was
promising myself
''An right, III not 60"
mo, no, dear one; not at ALL Come,
we'll dino quickly. You'll go and make
yourself beautiful, and when the Daubig
nys arrive
Il am not going I tell you'll I no longer
wish to go"
She flung off her furs, her dainty hat,
and tossed them angrily on couch.
He watched her sorrowfully, miserably
all his innocent joy gone, feeling himself
aged and enervated by this quarrel, that
was so useless, so unforeseen, so incom-
prehensible.
She was seated now at the other side of
tie fire, her slender white hands clasped
carelessly about her knees. He sought
and sought for something to say to her,
anything, no matter what, that would
break tho horrible silence, but nothing
would come.
by the way said she suddenly-so
suddenly that he perceptibly jumped-"I
have invited Paul Bernard to dine with US
tomorrow. He is very agreeable. "
"Ahr'
'Why 'ah?' What do you say 'ah' for?'
For Notwithstanding at all, dear. I
said ali just as I would say OH just IS
I would say
She had haughtily raised her pretty
head, with its crown OF golden eurls, the
naughty head of little princess, but with
its beauty just then marred by the hard,
scornful curve of the red lips.
Perhaps you intend to be jealous and
make sceness" she persisted.
He did not reply his chin dropped on
his breast dejectedly. Still this quarrel
without reason or sense! She was not
usually So
And suddenly a great terror was born
within him, to clutch and tear at the
strings of his heart. This nervous excite
ment of his wife, this oversensitiveness to
unspoken words-could it be the outcome
Of some hidden pain, some secret suffer
ing, or-God in heaven, crush the thought
the renorse of first fault?
No, no! Impossiblei She was only tired,
fatigued by paying calls, by the chattering
of uncongenial acquaintance, by the soil
tude of her silk cushioned brougham, with
gazing out upon wan, gray sky, with the
rain beating the windows.
Meanwhile she went Oh, exasperatinG
herself more and more. "YOu might as
well know, too, now as any time, Lucien,
that when you begin that, when you take
it into your head to be jealous, suspicious
well, I know but one remedy for it'd
vorce!"
He paIed at the horrible word, for she
had hurled it at him cruelty brutaliy q
blow, looking him straight in the eyes,
her elbow resting on the mantelpiece and
apparently quite calm.
Eight O'Clock began to chime. In the
street the rain still fell, a slow, mournful
rain, sounding like a dirge. They passed
into the dining room, she leading, he fol
lowing like enc in troubled dream.
II the interval the cozy little nook
seemed, all at once, to have grown chill
and formal; discomfort, bitterness, sup
pressed irritation, lurked in the air.