The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-06
HIS LITTLE DINNER.

IouE mlsGreSS-nAS she come IN yebf
he demanded eagerly, as the servant opened
the door.
mo, SIR"
Thus reasoned he drew from behind his
back hand in which he held a big bunch
Of roses, which, If not very choice or artis-
ito in their selection, still spoke elequently
of great, loving heart. His eyes sparkled,
his fingers trembled with joy, when, in
the dining room moment later, he ar
ranged his flowers in a handsome vase,
and with tender little pats and touches set
them carefully in the center of the little
round table.
Then from his pocket he drew a tiny
jewel case and hid it under one of the two
napkins.
"Now," he murmured, smiling gayly.
snow she may come imp
How was it all going to happen? Should
he run to meet her, take her in his arms
and call her "My belovedf'' No; at first
he would say nothing. He would seem
quite Indifferent, unconcerned then, by
accident, his arm would slip around 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 outsidel His JOY must
be disguised, lest she suspect something,
dHU again ne CauSnb up C1G paper. IL Is
wired from London'-"It is wired from
London''-but the words danced before his
eyes, red, blue, green-he could not dis
tinguish another 1etter-a hand, her hand,
was on the knobi
She entered, blond, beautiful, but look
ing out from the SOFT luxurious warmth
of her costly furs little weary little
disheyeled, after an afternoon spent in Wis
iting, shopping, swift riding in a coupe.
The "good day" she gave him seemed q
little weary, too, the gesture little petu-
liant with which she drew off her gloves,
threw back her furs and dropped into a
chair.
ST am very late," said she, "and we
must dine quickly; the Daubignys are
coming to take me with them to the
OPERA
He started, panied and surprised.
"What, you are going out, dearest? I
thought we were to spend the evening to-
gether here in our little nest"
She had thrown herself into low, easy
chair, with her tiny feet outstretohed to
the fire. Really, my dear, you are very
unreasonable, !" she answered indiferently.
SIT was very good of the Daubignys to in
vite me, and as I am not at all spoiled,
you know, by visits to the theeter, ac-
cepted with pleasure. Still, If you wish
to forbid my going you can. You are my
master. The law is on your side.''
brightness gone from his face "There is
no need to be angry, dearest he expostu-
lated. 81 had no thought or wish to de-
prive you of pleasure. You reproaoh me,
too, needlessly. You know that I am
nearly always busy in the evenings To-
night, however, am free, and was prom
Using myself
"A1l right, I'll not go.''
"No, no, dear one; not at a1lf Come,
| We'll dine quickly. You'll go and make
| yourself beautiful, and when the Dau-
| bignys arrive
81 am not going, tell youi 7 no lon
| ger wish to go.''
She flung off her furs and her dainty hat,
| and tossed them angrily on a couch.
He watched her sorrowfully, nisera bly,,
| all his innocent joy gone, feeling him.
| self aged and eneryated by this quarrel,
! that was SO useless, so unforeseen, so in
| comprehensive.
| She was seated now at the other side of
the fire, her slender white hands clasped
| carelessly about her knees. He sought and
| sought for something to say to her, any
thing, no matter what, that would break
the 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
"Ah"
"Why 'ah? What do you say tah' forS''
"For nothing-nothing at all, dear. I
| said 'ah' just as I would say 'oh;' just as
I would say
She had haughtily raised her pretty
| head with its crown of golden curls, the
naughty head of little princess, but with
its beauty just then marred by the hard,
seornful curve of the red lips.
perhaps you intend to be jealous and
make scenesP' she persisted.
He did not reply. His chin dropped on
his breast dejectedly. Still this quarrel
| without reason or sensei She was not
usually so.
And suddenly 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 remorse of first fault?
No, no, impossible! She was only tired,
fatigued by paying calls, by the ohattering
of uncongenial acquaintances.
Mean while she went on, exasperating
herself more and more.
"You might as we'll know, too, now as
any time, Lucien, that when you begin
that, when you take it into your head to
be jealous, suspicious-well, know but
one remedy for it-divorceP'
He paled at the horrible word, for she
had hurled it at him cruelty, brutally as
blow, looking him straight in the eye, her
elbow resting on the mantelpiece, and ap-
parently quite calm.
Eight o'clock began to chime. In the
street the rain still fell, a slow, mournful
rain, sounding like dirge. They passed
into the dining room, she leading, he fol-
! lowing like one in troubled dream.
In the interval the coy little nook
seemed all at once to have grown chill
and formal. Discomfort bitterness, sup
pressed irritation, lurked in the air.
Dinner, which had been served, had
grown cold on the pretty white table, the
crisp little rolls had lost their tempting
look, and there, in the midst of 1t all, the
poor, forgotten bunch of roses hung its
Il, ooI- # fol