The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-09-07


TASTE was of cry mundane nature,
fond of oysters and old wine, ana
somewhat bold )leasantries, and de-
! voted to her husband for her own sake
rather than for his. She was imper-
turbably good naured, but had no idea
of self-sacrifice. To live in that pleas
ant old house, with green garden De-
hind and bright lowers about the win
dow, to eat and drink of the best, TO
gossip with a nighbor for quarter
of an hour, nevg to wear stays or
dress except WIN she went to Fon-
tainebleau shopping, to be kept In
continual supply Of racy novels, and
to be married tt Doctor Desprez and
have no ground If jealousy, filled the
cup of her natur, to the brim. Those
who had known the Doctor in bacheior
days, when he hal aired quite as many
theoIes, but of different order, at
tributed his present. philosophy to the
study of Anastase. 1t was her brute
enjoyment that he rationalized and per-
haps vainly imitited.
Madame Despre was an artist In the
kitchen, and maze coffee to a nicely.
She had knack Of tidiness, with which
she had infected the Doctor; every
thing was in is place; everything
capable Of polish shone gloriously; and
dust was a thing banished from her
empire. Aline, heir single servant,
had no other business in the world but
to scour and burIish. So Doctor Des-
PREF lived in his house like fatted cali,
warmed and .coSeted to his hearts
content.
The midday neal was excellent.
There was a ripe melon, fish from the
river in a memorable Bearnaise sauce,
fat fowl in a frcassee, and a dish OF
asparagus, followed by some fruit. The
Doctor drank half bottle plus one
glass, the wife half a bottle minus
the same quantity, which was a marital
privilege, of an excellent Cote-Rotie,
seven years old. Then the coffee was
brought, and flask of Chartreuse for
madame. for the Doctor despised and
distrusted such decoctions; and then
Aline left the welded pair to the pleas
ures Of memory and digestion.
1T Is a very fortunate circumstance,
my cherished one" observed the Doc
tor-"this coffee is adorable-a very
fortunate circumstance upon the whole
beseech you, go without
that poison for to-day; only one day,
and you will feel the benaht. pledge
my reputation"
What is this fortunate circumstance.
my friend?" inquired Anastasie, not
needing his protest, which was Of daily
recurrence.
THAT we have no children, my
beautiful" replied the Doctor. II
go on, and with more and more graft
tude toward the Power that dispenses
such Affections. Your health, my dar-
ling, my studious quiet, our little kitch-
en- delicacies, bow they would all have
suffered, how they would all have been
sacrificed! And for what? Children
are the last word of human imperfec-
ton. Health fees before their face.
They cry, my dear; they put vexatious
questions; they demand to be fed, to
be washed, to be educated, to have
their noses blown; and then, when the
time comes, they break our hearts, as
l break this piece of sugar. A pair of
professed egoists, like you and me,
should avoid offspring, like an infidel-
ity."
indeed" said she; and she laughed.
Now, that is like you-to take credit
for the thing you could not help"
my dear" returned the Doctor,
solemnly, I'VE might have adopted"
Never" cried madame. Never,
Doctor, with my consent. II the child
were my OWE flesh and blood, would
not say no. But to take another per-
sons indiscretion on my shoulders, my
dear friend, have too much sense"
Precisely" replied the Doctor. I'VE
both had. And I am all the better
pleased with our wisdom, because-be-
cause" He looked at her sharply.
Because what?" she asked, with .
faint premonition Of danger.
Because have found the right per.
son." said the Doctor firmly, 'and shall
adopt him this afternoon"
Anastasie looked at him out of
mist. "You have lost your reason" she
said; and there was clang In her
voice that seemed to threaten trouble.
mot so, my DEAR" he replied; II re-
tain its complete exercise. To the
proof; instead Of attempting to cloak
my inconsistency, have, by way OF
preparing you, thrown it into strong
relief. You will there, I think, recog.
nize the philosopher who has the &C.
stacy to call you wife. The fact is, I
have been reckoning all this while
without an accident. never thought
to find a son of my own. Now, last
night, / found one. Do not unneces-