Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-04
A DISILLUSION.

Il UlClLLUClUlVe
ASK your wife to 60 out with you this
afternoon: if she refuses, drop into her
room Unexpectedly between 3 and 4: you
may make an interesting discovery"
Jack Barrett's first movement was
what every mans is when he receives an
anonymous letter. He screwed it up and
tossed it into his paper basket with a
laugh. But laughs on such occasions
have a knack of ringing little oddly, and
in nine cases out of ten the ball of
crumpled paper is picked up, smoothed
out and re-eXamined.
"A woman, of course murmured Jack
to himself. as he succumbed to the general
rule Of conduct. Dolly is much too pref
ty not to have a shoal of enemies; if |
only knew who wrote this Td-No, [
couldn't do that, as it's a woman, but
Id make her see moral stars, any way.
May I come in, Jack?' and at the
same moment Mrs. Barrett tripped up to
her husbands side. What are you doing
IN here all by yourself this lovely morn
ing, You old ape?' she said, with laugh,
as she perched herself on the arm Of his
library chair.
Mrs. Barrett was one of the few women
who can indulge in childish attitudes with
impunity. Her little feet peeped out be
witchingly from under rustling silk petit
coats, and her dainty head had just the
right pose-half- infantile, half-saucy-as
it leant a little toward her husband from
among its frivolous lace ruchings.
7 think it's very horrid Of you to shut
yourself up like this with letters and
things she continued. 'What are they
all abOutW
For one second Jack felt inclined to
crJ,o he = t,la ho1 SfJ
in his hand, but sOmething-he told HIM
self it was regard for Dollyss feelings
prevented him; besides, Mrs. Barrett did
not always expect an answer TO her nu-
merous queries, and now she went on at
once:
Johnny. dear, won't you come for a
spin this morning? My new bicycle dress
has come home and I'm dying to put 1t
on"
Little vanity! yes-or. rather, mo-.
land Jack felt bit ashamed of himself
as he made the correction. Let's go TINS
afternoon instead; that is, if you haven't
anything more important to do" and for
the life of him he could not help looking
at her a little fiNedly.
All right she replied, without a sec
ond's hesitation; what time snail we
START?
'.Oh, have lunch earlier and let's go at
2:20. We might run down to Richmond
and see the Ansties.
"Delightful! Now I'm going to practice
my new song. Dear me, how untdy |
amr' she exclaimed, as she looked at
herself in the glass. What fright L
look.''
''Untidy-a fright! You! Miss Dimple,
I think you're fishing" said Jack. with
laugh, as she came and stood beside her;
Fright was certainly term ill-sulted
to the smart person they were surveying.
Dolly Barrett's prettiness was OF the
AZ NIL
peach blossom cheeks and tiny cleaning
teeth. What redeemed it from being
banale was the somewhat startling con-
trast of a pair of big dark eyes with the
fluffy rnd-brown hair which waved and
curIed delightfully."- over the dainty mead.
The ladies who had sought to win Jack
Barrett's affection and failed We're apt to
say that his wife's name Of Dolly was
singularly we'll applied; but fright
no one had ever dreamed OF calling her,
save her own charming self
''WeH, anyhow, let me go now,'
laughed Dolly, after her seconds selt-eX-
animation, "and I'll say we're to have
lunch at 1.
Ten minutes later a somewhat shrlll
voice was heard trilling to the accom-
paniment of the draWing-room piano. and
Jack closed the hall door behind him with
feelings of establishment. What an I'M
utterable idiot he was to have had sec
onds doubt of darling little Dolly, for he
confessed to himself that the letter had
made him uncomfortable! What fool.
And forthwith he bethought himself of a
: fan that small person had admired, and,
to soothe his own conscience, went in
search Of it.
Principally at 1 he reached his own
door He had quite determined to tell
Dolly of the offending letter; no doubt her
woman's wit would ena BILE them to hit
upon its writer. At the dining-room door
he started back.
whats the matter, Dolly?'
An inarticulate sob from amid the re-
cesses Of a black lace scarf was all his
answer.
MY dear child. what has happened?'
he asked, anxiously, as he bent over his
wife. who sat rocking herself in huge
armchair.
My neuralgia. Oh, Jack. dear. it is so
bad. Oh, I'd rather die than have pain
like thisr'
All the little vocabulary of tender con-
solutions rose to Jacks lips, and then sud-
denly froze; the words Of the letter
danced out wildly as he looked at the
lace-swathed head
Poor little girlr' he said, after a sec
ond, have some lunch, and then perhaps
your new frock and the fresh air will
take the horrid pain away"
'Fresh air!' and Dolly stopped her
swaying motion to look up into his face
with dark, reproachful eyes. Jack, you
don't suppose | could go out in this state.
| know there is nothing to do but to stay
quietly in my own room. and let it go
away! Oh, dear! Oh, dearr'
Jack did not answer; he felt a great
lump rise in his throat and the room
swim before him. His silence did not
distress Dolly, who had leant her head
against his arm. After a moment she
gave a little QuiVering sigh
L don't think l can bear to see you
eat, Jack. Let me go and lie down. and
You so out to Richmond by yourself"
I shan't CO." said Jack, shortly.
'Oh, nonsense" and Dolly rose to her
feet as she spoke. eff you stay in the
mouse you only worry about me, you dear