The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-07

At her giriish dreams. And now. stand
tng atop these ruins disdaining 20 seek
ono pleasing souvenir among ffty dead
years. turning his eyes from those which
remain for him TO live. he demands . good
dinner with champagne for dessert
II this dinner might only be VEN
geance. II the good woman could only
serve at II all the potsons she had alb
sorbed drop by drop. II IL might only
be the last Of their life together.
In awaiting the little dinner such as
wife knew how TO make" and just what
he delighted in. NJ. Walter was in fine
humor all his golden wedding day. To
tell truth. his fine humor was hardly
worth more than the other. II manifest
ed itself by especially sharp and singing
pleasantries. which he emphasized by a
little grinding rattle OF laugh, like the
exact expression Of his soul.
Several times In the course OF the day
he said to his wife in words he conxid-
cred correct and witty that he had never
loved her. that she was good only 20
superintend the kettle. and other remarks
which cut like the grossest insults. As
usual she replied only by a broken-heart-
ed look, whose sad reproaeh he had never
understood. and SO the hours passed. AT
last the old empire clock. which had FOL-
lowed them about everywhere. struck s.
and NJ Walter, who came in from his
palate which Is an enemy to burnt sauces.
opened the door OF the dining room The
table was not set!
There is nothing more disappointing
than a prolonged wait when one has
caressed pleasure beforehand. and at
the sight OF this empty room. which
threatened q much longer patience. Mr..
Walter became enraged, agftated. red
faced. He rushed to the kitchen and was
Stupefled to find only Marianne,
And madame?"
Madame Is out"
"what-out. Where? What did she
say?"
Madame said that today we would dine
at o'clock"
Seven o'clock! An hours wait. and
out. Why so?"
The hour was long one. NJ Walter
had never had mote cruel setback. He
strobe up and down in all directions try
ing to solve the enigma which oppressed
his mind.
why had his wife gone out on pre-
csely this day. changing the dinner hour?
The idea came to him that she had sud-
denly lost her reason and he fancied the
troublous consequences OF such an acci-
dent. When struck and the hand con-
tinued he searched all the rooms OF the
apartment. opening and shutting the
doors and counting his steps TO distract
himself. He returned at length to the
kitchen. believing that Marianne would
tell him something.
She regarded him slyly and somewhat
scornfully. which fact. happily. escaped
him, as he was too egotistical to be OBJ
serving. At last he questioned:
well. then. isn't she comingT'
'Ah! forgot to tell monsieur that
madame told me to tell you not to worry
II madame was a little late
"A little late! An hour later than usual
and twenty minutes over already"'
And this dinner. this repast in honor Of
their. golden wedding, was left to .
woman whose cooking he had never tast-
ed. He asked roughly:
What Is there for dinner?"
And Marianne, still sly, replied:
Madame told me not to tell monsieur,
because there are surprises"
''Surprisesw The word came like an IL
Elimination. His wife had doubtless gone
out to get him something rarely exquisite.
coming from far of. which was to arrive
by an afternoon train that couldn't get
there sooner. A good woman all the same.
And his anger melted In a vague way.
helped on by his great appetite.
A step on the stairs. the door opened
and Nine. Walter entered. pale and a
little out OF breath from climbing four
flights of stairs. Her hands are empty