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

There are no surprises.
"Ah, there you are at last. II il nea,s~l
O'Clock What Is the meaning Of thi.ss
Nothing. l prefer TO dine late todar
You may serve the dinner. Marianne, !. &
He had assumed his great air OF wrnsA-S
desrot. and the unaccustemed coolnesa s.
the reply disconnected him.
They seated themselves silently n ~.
table Marianne brought In a smck;ns
soup tureen.
Pumpkin soup, Pumpkin soup. -
know that detest IT.
But I am fond of II, 1t is more tina,
thirty years since have tasted IT,.
This was said in a tone SO settled an
decided that it admitted of no rerlv
NJ. Walter was SO astonished :.
sat with hts mouth open. not able To -
a word. while his wife ate slowly ~
with effort several spoonfu,s.
Here is the Ash. You are certain.
ridiculing me. A pike and sauce holland.
aise. tao, You know that 1 never ear ~. .
thing except salt water fish,"
II care only for fresh water fish"
Nevertheless. she could not eat he, ~
ton. blu, sat with far-away express
In her eyes gazing back at her fifty yes.s
OF slavery. Her heart was full az h.Ss.
as she looked at her husband who -
amazed. Inundated. and vaguely alarues Y,
Golden weddings are gay" said NJ. &
anne to herself. as she brought In a ~
bit stew.
NJ. Walter said: This mus. he a war.e
You have selected everything which a.
test
Everything which am fond Of"
''One would think that you had do>a -
purposely."
"Ah. you understand at last? Tea
have done IL Intentionally"
He sprang to his feet, his face conrest.
ed. his fist raised, while his wife renea to
calmly:
81 did II purposeiy"
This revolt and this calm seemed -
terrible to him that he was unnerved ana
terrified.
Now. see here" said he. 81 so ~.
understand. Are you crazy. Do won
know what I am saying to you? Il tina
not my golden wedding:'
And mine. too, alas. I am not insane
II you want 10 know what / think l viII
tell you. For fifty years you have loaded
me with all your caprices. imposed your
wishes on ME without ever supposing that
1 had an idea OF my own or a FEELING
to be wounded. And I wished YOU to h
my slave for one hour-only one hour.
and for the smallest things In life.
Now you are to take back your I'm.
erty and I my ball and chain. / wouse
have liked to have thrown 1t or com.
pletely. gone and left you alone. but
couldn't: am too old and am AFRAID
You understand. nowr'
She tremhled all over and her eyes vesa
already asking pardon for her defiance
While she was talking NJ. Walters fan
frightened up. It was a nervous spsn
which would soon pass. He even had iAe
Intuition that gil he had to do was to ut
angry himself. TO scold, to cry out, ana
his wife would beg his pardon. But for
the first time in his life he was generous
probably owing to the shaken state q
his nerves. He smiled almost amiably
and. said, with n Shrug of the shoulder
'rWotnen are always women to the end
Some tears had rolled down Nine. Wal.
ter's cheek on to her empty plate. She
wiped her eyes and asked timidiy:
shall We have the next course? There
is something in the house that will NJ
anger you-a pate OF duck"
NJ. Walters eyes frightened.
From Amiens?" he inquired.
She nodded her head.
You spoiled my appetite, but Il win
come back. think. And the champagne.
have you suppressed that
mo. 1t In there. frappe."
The face Of the old man melted
"Frappe!" he cried out Joyously. Nov
you are yourself once more. and I have
nothing against you. I forgive you.~
Translated by Lucy Martin.