Connecticut western news., 1895-03-14
WHO WAS ALICIA?

Young Mrs. Waterhouse finished the 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 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 Warehouse, with 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 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. "Wonter to whom he has been writ ingr'
 It was quite easy to see. Mrs. Water house glanced at it casually at first, then. her face fiercely pink. with much attention:
 II want you, my dearest, to believe that 1 am quite true to you. am 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. "Alicial Alicia who, Iwonder?" She knew his writing so well that she could scarce be deceived on that point The whole thing in moment was clear. Her dear mother, with less cramped experience of the world, had been right, after all.
 ''There ie a skeleton" said the trem- bling Mrs. Warehouse. She tore her letter to Biarritz into many pieces. As the last fragment went into the ferns ill the fireplace she felt kiss upon her neck. Don't do that, please, she cried. Beg pardon" said her husband. "Did frighten your" 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-youI cheek.
 My love, I admire yours 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. 'I have been reading rather an inter. esting fragment, Godfrey. Shall tel you what it is?'
 | "Quote away"
 Mrs. Warehouse recited fyom tho 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, nop' said Mrs Waterhouse.
 My dear Helen then, will you allow me to say"-
 II only want to know one thing. Die you write this ridiculous stuff, please?
 "Why, yes. I'm not going to deny that. Of course it's only part of thu letter to the girl, but if you like car tell you what happens afterward.
 "I don't want to know. If this get known, what will be thought of you You will be the laughing stock of al your colleagues. ''
 That's very true," acknowledged Professor Warehouse, with concern That's very true, and it must neye get known. Ican't drop the affair now unfortunately, but, you know"-h smiled at his wife little anxiously- "there really is no harm in it. and I'n not the only man who"-
 Really" ill tone of remote ant frigid interest.
 II frankly admit, though, that should be very sorry for it to get known Of course it seems to you a very foolis thing to do"
 By no means" But I really don't believe that
 could have endured the strain of writ : ing that new work of mine if at tn same time had not'-
 ''Let me ask you one more question please. l understand, Godfrey, that 70 are sorry now that you ever lent youl self to such a-such despicable busi ness"
 That's not quite the point, dear. He was recovering now his usual con , posture. That's not what I'm SOFT . for. I'm sorry to be found out. want
 ed to keep it quiet. But there's Il ea4thly reason why anybody but oul 3 se!yes should know. After all ever
 man has his hobby"
 "Gsoffrey, I won't listen to you"
 "Ws1, my dear, can't force you tt
 can l? I believe if you would only l'
 me tell you the whole affair from begin !. , hing to end you wouldn't be SO muc
 annoyed about it. It really isn't so bs
 as you think Alicia is most deligh
 ful girl, and it has been recreation f . me, you know, and have been slo ging away so of late, and''-
 The door slammed. Mrs. Waterhou T went up stnirs to her room and hurrie
 ly, very hurriedly. packed a portma o teau. There was time to catch the ma e at Charing Cross, and she meant to g l. away to Biarritz, away from the stifii1
 atmosphere of this house, away fro
 London. She rang for her maid.
 Parker. ''