The record-union., 1898-10-10

! wits by the wrathful manner in which
he scribbled a check for the balance,
and threw it at her with some ungra-
cious remarks about her intelligence.
One evening the Alstons went to an
at home. Social obligations soon part
ed husband and wife in the crowded
! drawing room, but the latter's affec-
tionate eyes caught many glimpses of
Jack as he passed to and fro, greeting
new friends and making new acquaint-
ances.
Who was that woman, Jack" she
asked later on, when they got a chance
to exchange a few words, with whom
you seemed to be having such an ami
mated conversations"
Which woman?" was his rejoinder.
/ Il talked to several"
Il didn't see her face" replied Clara,
as she had her back to me the whole
F, time; but she was dressed in mauve
with pink bows, and had light fluffy
hair
! Yes, l know whom You mean" said
Jack. slowly, as if with an effort Of
memory. Her name is Miss oxford, l
think. Our hostess introduced me-"
Was she nice?"
There was no jealousy on Clara's part.
She was simply interested in every
| thing connected with her husband
nothing more.
Very on first acquaintance, he an
swered. And, by the way he went
on, she bears very remarkable re-
semblance to you.'
Does she?" exclaimed Clara. with
animation. "Oh, do take me and intro
duce me to her. Jack. 1t will be SO in .
teresting to meet my double
To this request Jack acceded willing
| ", and the two women became ac-
Iquainted. Clara acknowledged to her
self that there was a striking likeness,
but she could not help seeing that Miss
Oxford had the advantage of being
| younger and fresher. She was a very
lively girl, and Clara thought that she
f1irted decidedly too much; but the OBJ
lection was not SO much on her hus-
bands account as on general grounds
of feminine propriety.
On the way home Jack spoke very
enthusiastically about Miss Oxford
and of course Clara, to please him.
chimed in. He remarked casually thai
he had promised to drop in to tea one
| afternoon at the house of that Iady's
parents.
Isn't it rather odd not to invite me,
too?" suggested the wife, timidly
"Oh. no. You see she couldn't very
| we'll do that under the circumstances, -
returned Jack, in an airy tone But
[ dare say Mrs. Oxford viii call upon
you when 1 have been there"
And the matter was dropped
A few days later Jack did not arrive
home until dinner time. and during the
| operation of having his boots unlaced
he talked enthusiastically about Miss
Oxford, on whom he had just been call
ing.
She is a lovely girl" he said. in
tones Of the warmest admiration. Just
what you We're like five years ago"
1t was tactless speech, and CIara's
fingers trembled as she struggled TO
| unravel a tight knot
Really, now, taking her feature by
by feature he went on, oblivious of the
! pain he was infiicting, and too absorb
cd in his own interests to notice his
! wife's agitation. there is an astound-
ing resemblance between you both. But
the expression is different. She seems
much brighter and more girl
| He stopped short suddenly aware
! that his tongue was running on too
fast. and glanced al the kneeling figure
| in front Of him.
Clara's head was bent low over her
task, and she did not speak
He stopped forward good naturedly,
and lifted her face up by the chin. She
was flushed and tears We're glistening
in her eyes.
Why, you foolish little woman, what
are you crying about?" he asked.
Clara burst into tears-partly be-
cause of her own overwrought feelings.
andI partly on account of the unusual
kindness Of her husbands Interrogation.
| Tears generally had the effect of MAX
ing him angry and impatient.
L am losing my good looks, and you
don't care about me any longer" she
| sObbed
Nonsense" exclaimed Jack, who be-
san to see the clumsiness of his re-
| marks.
You think Miss Oxford much pref
tier than I am. and I dare say you find
her far more lively and entertaining"
Clara went on, in a broken voice
Her sole attraction for me is her
likeness to YOU" returned her husband
| soothingly.
rs that really so, JACKIE she asked,
| smiling through her tears.
"Of course, you goose. Have you ever
known me to take a fancy to any other
woman before?"
| "N-no,"
We'll, then, think you ought to feel
fiattereG at my going out Of my way
to be civil to a girl simply because she
is the living image of yourself"
Il did not see it in that light before"
said Clara, drying her eyes and looking
| cheerful again. But ] was afraid you
We're beginning to get tired of me, be-
| cause-because-
Because of my stupid way of putting
things" interrupted Jack. who could
! rise to delicacy when it suited his pur-
pose.
| After this episode Jack paid frequent
y q . g ~ 9 q o . @ - . g q vA