The Somerset reporter., 1899-08-10


j; Another Woman. X
*o*oRo&o#o& o#o*o~o&o*ox
My husband when he breakfasts at
home, Is in the habit of taking coffee
at table-however, emitting to smoke
with it. You see, it Is of moment that
his mouth and mustache should be I'M
tainted with tobacco when he makes
his afternoon calls.
This morning the servant displayed
some slight awliWardness in filling his
cup, and the amber liquid overtlowed.
WAS any ole ever more clumsyW
he said You fool. You idiot. Take
1t away
And then he gave the table such
thump that the buffers carelessness
was but augmented, an inundation of
coffee followed. not only into tie saul
Ger, but upon the cloth as well.
The man nimbly repaired the dam
age done and made good his escape.
Paul bit his lips. but said nothing fur
ther. However, realized that he was
intensely annoyed.
Now. Paul is or rather was until re-
Gently stranger to all such impuisive
actions. IIA nature was adverse to
any ado or quick words-in point of
fact, to anything that could be likened
to a scene. But this gentleman, al
ways so well poised, courteous and
thoughtful of his bearing must have
been seriously troubled over some
tn fnrOnt himGnlf n
such degree.
After few moments of embarrass'
ed silence he took a cigar from his
case, cut off the point and just as he
was about to smoke it said:
You do not object, Cecile"
"Oh, no! Not in the slightest. PAUL
You must know that!'
assure you | said those words with
out any Interior motive. But it SEEM
ed that Paul thought to the contrary,
for he sharply retorted
at is waste of time for you to take
on a martyrs air when you answer my
question. | can just as easily smoke
outside or elsewhere, at houses where
tobacco does not incommode the In
mates. Well, do we have tears now"
Indeed, they were very near, but
tried to force them back to keep them
out of sight until | would be alone.
Paul" | said as tenderly as | could,
do not be angry with me. In reality
you have naught to complain of, and
moreover | have done nothing to you.
Now, why get so excited and cause me
such pain?
My husband frowned slightly, then
extended his hand and kissed mine
that had at once placed in his.
You are right, Cecile. | beg your
pardon. think l am little nervous
today. We have some very intricate
business to attend to at the mills"
He was about to continue the lie,
but interrupted him.
Forget business for the time For
get the overturned coffeecup | ask
your attention for few moments.
Let me have 1t with good grace.
Surely you have little time today to
give to your wife, my dear husbandY
Butch, certainly, certainly
He twirled his cigar between his fin
gers. He wanted to rise, to go away,
to flee from the explanation that he
foresaw, but there was no way open
to him. Ny request was such nat
ural one He could only avoid it by
losing his temper again, and for the
time being that prerogatiye had been
exhausted
AT first" | said. do smoke"
| held the flaming match toward him.
He lighted his cigar.
But have so little leisure he
said. "Werklein"-
Let Werklein wait for you" | said.
"He is accustomed to it. Indeed, Paul,
you cannot reproach me for misem-
ploying your spare moments? real
ly must speak to you today"
Every well. my dear" he said. 81
will listen"
Then his whole countenance chang
ed anew and grew firm and decisive.
felt that this being, who belonged to
me, with whose disposition | was so
well acquainted, whom | adored in
spite of all and who loved me, was
dominated by the will of another wo-
man. Which will prove the strongest
hers or mine?
And then strove to win
put my hand on his wrist. The
muscles stitfened and resisted my light
pressure. All. there was once a time
and lot so long ago-when they al
ways trembled at my touch. And they
too, remembered those old days, not.
withstanding the hostile will of anoth-
er, for they yielded little by little until
his hand was in mine.
paul" | said, looking deep into his
eyes, trying to concentrate upon him
all the magnetism of ny love and de
votion; Paul, darling. do rcassure me,
| beg of you, am so fearful"
Fearful Of what, | pray, Cecile?' he
said.
THAT | may lose you, dear | added.
Now do not take your hand away. DO
not shrug your shoulders. You are too
just not to understand that my posi-
ton is horrible one. SO many times
have been compelled TO believe, as
now. that | was betrayed, Alas!
have always kept silent. But this
time, Paul; this timer
The hand still wished to escape from
my grasp, but held 1t firmly, and his
eyes would not meet mine.
This time, Paul" l then said. 81