The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-23
The Lady of the Hyacinths.

l am an old physician, and I own that
/ feel more enthusiasm for my profession
! than for anything else in the world No
| one person-nay, nor a community of per-
| sons, though they be of the choicest-can
! take the place with me OF abstract SCI
ence. If l had always appreciated that
| fact should not have asked Isabel Vim
| cent to marry me. But 1 forgot It be-
| cause she was beautiful and young and
willing TO marry me. It was not at all
| likely, said to myself that society
| would ever learn that had found her in
| the common ward OF a hospital, friend,ess
! in a strange city, and showing in her
| subtle eyes the traces of many SORROWS.
I had no desire to annex a lot Of relatives
and as well enough pleased TO take
| wife who would bring me nothing but her
| beauty OF her history I knew nothing
| and cared less. She had childlike blue
! eyes and a tender mouth; her touch upon
my arm had the pathetic appeal of a
| child in it. I said:
,, Il will make uD to this poor child for
! the cruelty Of the world toward her. She
| shall know comfort and love and watch
| full care"
Ny home was certainly pleasant place
| My father had lived in It before me. My
| carriage might not have been in the lat
est fashion, but it was a convenient We
|
! fastest on the boulevard, it was of good
blood and even temper. considered my
| self a fortunate man.
had expected to lead a quiet life with
| my young wife. Perhaps I had expected
| that her attitude toward me would be
more like that of a dutiful daughter thsr
a wife. So it easily can be imagined thai
/ 1 was surprised and. a trife dismayed
| when I learned that she wished to have
| a post-nuptial reception and series of
| afternoon teas. She developed taste for
| fashionable dress which surprised me,
| too, and she had the beautiful tails Of
my faithful horses clipped and begged
me for brougham of her own. For the
| first time in my life it looked as If my
income would fail to correspond with my
! expenses. I was worried, and perhaps
| showed It. In fact, matters reached a
| climax at last.
I came home late one afternoon to find
| that Isabel was not at home, but she
came a few moments later. trailing a
| gown Of purple velvet behind her and
smiling at me coquettishly out of her en-
veloping furs. Purple pumes swept
down her golden hair. and a diamond
| bracelet glittered upon her wrist. She
was amazingly beautiful-indeed she look
ed like Princess. told her so.
But, Isabel" said I, gently, lifting the
| hand that glittered with the bril!iants,
edo you think we can afford things Ike
| that?"
She flushed.
'I can afford them very WELL" she re-
sponded, coldly.
But what jeweler has given you cred
it for a trinket like that, my dear?"
"Goose?' she cried. laughingly. Cant
you see they are paste?''
"But I don't like my wife to wear paste
| Diamonds"
Get her some real ones, then" she
cried, saucily, and strutted out Of the
room like a peacock.
I followed her and laid my hand upon
her arm.
Isabel" demonstrated, you are dis
| appointing me. You are proving yourself
to be both extravaga CANT and willful. VIII
| you endeavor to regard my wishes
more?"
She carried a great stalk Of white hya-
cinths IN her hand and she waved it be-
fore my face playfully.
'rYou dear old man." she cried, 40 not
take me too seriously. You are really a
nice old man. I like you first ratel' And
! she laughed insolently and left me. Her
| insults goaded me, but I made an fire.
| evant remark to conceal my anger. Some
| how, I could not bear 10 let her know
how she had hurt me.
You must be cautious how YOU use
| hyacinths, dear" I warned. They are
a fatal flower IF you should sleep with
them in your room they might poison
you with their perfume. Some sweet
| things are deadly"
| She leaned over the top of the banisters
and looked down at me with an adorable
smile.
'Is there double meaning to your
words?' she asked. But I did lot re-
ply.
The next fortnight brought us a number
of unpleasant scenes. and I was made
desperately unhappy by them. But there
was an epidemic of typhoid about, and
I was kept musy night and day, which
was a good thing for me, no doubt.
came home in the morning on one occa-
sion so weak 7 could hardly climb the
stairs to my room. I CHANGED to meet
my wife in the hall going down to break.
fast
Isabel" I said, ST am tagged out I've
got to sleep for twelve hours without IN
terruption or I shall be sick myself. DIT
Graeme has promised to keep office fol
me-"
You shall not be disturbed" she said
and thought there was kind Of pity ir
her eyes.
I darkened my room, INDUCED in the
luxury of q hot bath, took mild seda.
tive, and went to bed
It must have been many hours later
more than twelve. certainly-that I was
awakened by something IN the nature Of
an explosion in the street. I was con-
scious of the conclusion and a running
of feet and the ringing Of the bell of the
patrol wagon. but something seemed tc
chain my senses. I could not bring ny
/ motor powers into play. I lay like one In
a delicate trance. But by iuperceptibl,
degrees began to perceive that ! was
! breathing a delicious and heavy perfume
It seemed as II my lungs were filed with
it and as Il I myself were eXhalinG per
/ fume Ny brain saw visions OF floating
inceuse-I was compacted % perfume
Very. very slowly the nature Of the aroma
became known TO met was the over.
sweet smell Of the hvacinth. With ter
| rife effort which weakened my heart ans
dizzied my brain I sat upright The room
was dim, but I could see that every win
dow was fast closed. though I had lef
two Of them open. and on table. windows
/ chairs and floors, stood pots OF blooming
/ hyacinths.
The noise in the street rad died away
and the explosion. whatever It was. was
almost forgotten BY the time I had drag
ged myself 10 the door Of the hail VIII
q feeble cry felt senseless. Two DAYS
later. when sense and memory had r.
turned to me. asked for ny wife Youne
Dr.. Graeme. ny assistant, seemed enbar-
/ raised.
Has ny wife gone AWAY asked
Eyes. doctor" he confessed. she has
gone Sire d,d not say where she was
going"