Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1895-12-20
poor head away and begins to cry. I'm
sure, sir. if that letter only would come,

gested to the husband plan of deceiv-
ing his wife. What if he could buoy
her up with the idea his comedy was
taken and was about to be brought out ?
She never need learn the truth. Even
his eye saw that her life was now num-
bered by weeks rather than by months,
and to brighten her few remaining days
seemed to be all that was left for him to
do.
''He went upstairs, forcing smile to
his face and trying to wear an express
sion of triumph.
"'Such magnificent news, darling
he said, in triumphant voice, but lay
ing his cheek against hers so that she
could not see his face. MY comedy has
been accepted by Thespis.'
az sudden access of strength seemed
to till the frail body lying in his arms.
She raised herself up in bed, and, draw
gin her husband close to her bosom,
kissed him again and again.
"'My darling, my darling,' she re-
iterated triumphantly. AT last your
work is recognized! knew my hopes
would come true. Oh, how good God
is not to let me be disappointed 3.
''Her exuberant joy almost fright
cned her husband. The news seemed
to put fresh life into her, and for the
first time for many weeks she insisted
upon getting up and sitting in the arm
chair to hear all the details about the
comedy.
"Her happiness made him reckless.
10 satisfy her inquiries he invented a
long story about Mr.. Thespis sending
for him and congratulating him on his
work, and offering to stage it almost
Immediately.
'For a whole month he carried on
this deception. The temptation to see
that beloved face brighten at his inven-
tions, and to watch the large eyes fill
with joyful tears was too great to with
stand. The comedy, alas! had been re-
jectcd and returned to him, but he had
embarked on his career of duplicity,
and it was too late now to draw back.
ITO please her he had concocted
story that the play was to be brought
out in six weeks. He had fixed date
for it's appearance, and night after
night he would tell her some fresh de-
tails about the imaginary rehearsals
and the doings of the actors.
"Only one thing disturbed her happi-
ness. She herself would be unable to
be present on the opening night of the
play. But he was to go, and to wear
the pink rose she had always imagined
pinning in his coat, and she would lie
awake, dreaming of the applause that
would fill the theater when the author
was called on after the curtain had
dropped.
CT shall die happy she said, strok-
ing her husbands hands with her fin
gers. MY darling, you don't know
what comfort it is to think that
shall leave you famous and successful
"At length the night came that he
had fixed as the date of the opening.
All day his wife had been in state OF
happy. excitement, and, unknown to
him, had sent the landlady out to buy
pink rose for his coat.
"'We can't afford to be extravagant,
she said, kissing the pink rose softly
and laying it against her pale cheek.
But I am disappointed you have not
bought dress suit. didn't want you
to appear before the curtain in your
morning Clothes
However, he pacitied her by saying
it was the correct thing for an author
to wear morning dress, and when she
her face was radiantly happy.
"'Iou will be home by half past
eleven, and then we will have nice sup
per together. have ordered something
you like, and the landlady has prom
,sed to prepare it. And now you must
go, darling. You will be late for the
theater, and don't wish you to miss 1,
moment of your play
''She kissed him passionately and
babe him 60. With heart breaking
with anguish the husband left her, not
to seat himself in a brilliantly lit thea
ter, as she fondly imagined, but to pace
the streets, tortured and racked with
despair, until it was time to return to
his wife.
"At 1880 he entered the house again.
He ran gayly up the stairs, and opened
the door with smile on his face. The
lamp was lit, and for once a CHEEKY fire
glowed in the CRATE. A table spread
with a white cloth, and set out with
fruit and wine, was arranged cozily by
the fireside.
Sitting up in bed, and wearing a
pretty new dressing jacket, was his
wife, her face lit with excitement and
joy. 4.--
est has gone splendid]y!' he cried,
rushing to the bedside, and kissing her
rapturousiy. The house cheered and
cheered again, and was called before
the curtain
''He felt her heart throb violently.
"'My God, I thank Thee, he heard her
say in low accents of triumph. How
happy I am. I have nothing left to
wish for
'And before he could turn or speak.
faint sigh escaped her, and she fell
Lack in his arms-dead!
''The smile that TRANSPORTED her face
at the. last moment of speaking was still
there when the coffin lid was fastened