The Red Cloud chief., 1899-11-17

why, whenever l come, Is John ar
ways out?"
Aunt Jane waited, but l did not offer
to answer her question.
Il call in the morning" she con
tinued-"he is at his office; that, OF
course. Is as II should be. But I call
about luncheon-time: he Is lunching at
his club, and perhaps you are not
aware, Kate, that luncheon at a club
is an expensive luxury. Saves time?
Nonsense! A bus saves time, and Is
cheaper. | call in the afternoon-late
In the afternoon, toward ~dusk-John
Is at the office still. l call In the even
ing and John Is out again. l have no
wish to p~ry-John's affairs are his own
but ! know as a fact that he has not
spent an evening at home for the past
Ave days. Twice he dined at the club.
Twice he dined with his sister and
Madame Arnaud. One night, who
knows where he dined? Now, Kate.
why Is IT."
l had lost my old fear OF Aunt Jane.
l replied calmly enough.
IL don't want to talk about myself
and John" | said.
VERY naturally not" returned Aunt
Jane with severity. you know as well
as | do that, IL John dimes out on five
consecutive nights, 1t is you who are to
blame. You drive him away from
home. You have n cough, Kate; you
should cure that cough; men dislike
a cough exceedingly"
| smiled; | could not help 1t. Fol-
Aunt Jane to preach wifely duties OF
self-abnegation was too humorous.
when John comes in. Kate, do you
meet him with a pleasant smile? DC
you lay aside your work to attend &c
him? DO you try to CONVERSE with
him on topics of interest to him?"
In spite of my heavy spirits, l smiled
again. was thinking of the cold wei
comes that Uncle Richard was wont t
receives: she guessed something OF m,
thought perhaps.
Yours is not an ordinary marriage
she added In her coolest tone. "So'
have to remember Johns goodness t
YOU"
81 remember it-constantly."
Aunt Jane regarded me with an un
friendly scrutiny.
you have a house OF your own" sh,
continued, land servants OF your own
You dress well-indeed, l may say ex
travagantly; you have everything tina
heart can DESIRE"
Everything" I said, looking dull,
at her with a blank glance. II am ON
of the very happiest OF people.
She still eyed me suspiciously.
III he had not married you, wha
would have become Of you? Do yo
ever think OF that?" she demanded l
IN admonishing tone.
IL am thinking OF 1t always. Don
be afraid, Aunt Jane; l realize John
kindness more often and more full,
than you can possibly dol"
Kate, you are carbohydrates
And you cough constantly. What
the matter with your"
Nothing. A little cold"
"You have a hectic spot Of color II
each cheek. Have you seen a doctor?
mo"
81 shall advise John to send for one
One visit may set you right, and saw
q heavy bill later on. Your health
Kate, is a most important matter; al
ailing wife wears out the patience O
the most patient husband. What doe
John think Of that cough OF yours?"
He does not know l have It,"
Does not know"
My face grew hot as l made my con
fession.
IL see very little Of john" I said
trying to speak simply. "And / am no
always coughing. Don't talk to hir
about 1t. l won't have a doctor, no
ever II you speak to John"
Aunt Jane let the subject drop.
thought I should have had my way
thought that spoke Ill for my dis
cernment. Aunt lane met John as h
returned home, bade him walk bac
with her and listen to her. Before a
hour had passed q doctor was attend
ing me. 1t was decreed that I shoul
go to bed, and that l should stay Their
for a week. Would l have Aunt Jan
or one of the girls come and nurse me
ITO he continuedl