Smyrna times., 1899-10-25
THO CUP
OF
COFFGG.
How a Wife Strove to Hold Her Hus-
band From the Influence of
Another Woman.

So%o%o*o%o%o%o |
My husband, when he breakfasts at |
home, is in the habit of taking coffee |
at table-hOwever, Omitting to smoke
with it. You see, it is of moment that |
his mouth and mustache should be un-
tainted with tobacco when he makes
his afternoon calls.
This morning the servant displayed
some slight awkwardness in filling his
cup, and the amber liquid OverflOwed.
''Was any one ever more clumsyY
he said. You fool! You idiot! Take
it awayv'
And then he gave the table such a
thump that the buffers carelessness
was but augmented, an inundation of
coffee followed, not only into TIE sau-
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, l realized that he was
intensely annoyed.
Now, Paul is or rather was until re-
Gently stranger to all such impulsive
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
thing to have thus forgot himself to
such a degree.
After a few moments of embarraSs-
ed silence he took. cigar from his
case, cut off the point and just as he
was about to smoke it said:
You do not object, CecileY
"Oh, no! Not in the slightest, Paul!
You must know thatY'
l assure you said those words with
out any ulteriOr motive. But it SEEM
ed that Paul thought to the contrary,
for he sharply retOrted:
ut is waste of time for you to take
on a martyrs air when you answer my
question. l 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 l 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. l beg your
pardon. ! think l am n little nervous
today. We have some very intricate
business to attend to at the mills"
He was about to continue the lie,
but l interrupted him.
Forget business for the time. For
get the overturned coffeecup. 1 ask
your attention for a few moments.
Let me have it with a good grace.
Surely you have a little time today to
give to your wife, my dear husbandT'
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. My request was such a nat
ural one. He could only avoid it by
losing his temper again, and for the
time being that prerogative had beer
exhausted.
"At first" said, "do smoke"
held the flaming match toward him
He lighted his cigar.
Butt have so little leisure" ht
said "VVarklain''-
''Let Werklein wait for you," l said
HE is accustomed to it. Indeed, Paul
you cannot reproach me for misem
plOying your spare moments? l real
ly must speak to you today"
VERY well, my DEAR" he said. "
will listen"
Then his whole countenance chang
ed anew and grew firm and decisive
felt that this being, who belonged t
me, with whose disposition ! was s.
well acquainted, whom | adored Il
spite of all and who loved me, wa
dominated by the will of another VIC
man. Which will prove the stronges
shers or mine?
And then l strove to win.
l put my hand on his wrist. Th
muscles stiffened and resisted my ngh
pressure. All, there was once time
and not so long ago-when they a
ways trembled at my touch! And they
TOO, remembered those old days, moi
withstanding the hostile will Of anotf
er, for they yielded little by little unit
MS hand was In mine.