Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-03-08
SMOKE WREATRS

and ieweI-like color The floor and vain
scoting were of dark. hly-carved wood.
Persian rugs, soft to the dainty feet of
the young mistress, and most satisfying
to behold, were scattered here and there.
Lamps there were of wrought brass,
screened with Silllen shades, and the
walls, frescoed with quaint heraldic de-
vices. were adorned with candles in
unique sconces. In the CRATE a cheerful
fire was brightly burning, its soft and
radiant light focused upon young AND
very lovely girl. who, although she had
been but q few months a bride, was SIT
ting before the fireplace alone.
Something very nearly sign escaped
from her lips as she sat there this night,
TOR her handsome young husband, her
lover and idol, would go to his club to
spend many of his evenings, and she
could not help but miss him dreadfully,
and she was lonely and sad, even amid
all the spiendOr of her luxurious home.
Did her husband love her! All, yes
very much indeed, He had been devoted
to her before their marriage-he was de-
voted to her still, but now that she was
his Wife-hiS very own, and not the ad-
mired and sOught-for society belle that
she haG been before their marriage, he
was quite contented to leave her at home
evenings, even though she were alone,
while he sought his gay companions at
his club to play 4 few favorlte games
or drink Il few innocent cocktails.
They had spent their honeymoon alone
together away from New York, and had
been very happy, but, returning to their
town house, Jack had resumed his old
club life-nOt quite so extensively as III
his bachelor days, but he spent many
evenings there now. and the habit was
unconsciously growing upon him, much
TO the sorrow of Blanche. his pretty lit
tie wife. Blanche did not care to go to
places of amusement without her hus-
pand; so we find her alone and lonely.
Did Jack realize that blanche missed
him? Probably not. lie thought she
had her embroidery and the latest maya
zines, SO of course she would not care
where he was; but she did care, for she
loved him.
In other parts of the great house there
were mirth and friyolity, for there were
many servants, but the youthful mis-
tress because she was alone was lonely
on this long autumn evening. She tried
not to mind, but she did mind. She list
Iessly turned the leaves of Il book for Il
long, long time, trying to concentrate
her thoughts upon it, but at last she
threw it down and began to walk about
the room.
On the writing desk she found one of
Jacks cigars. HOW she wished he was
there TO smoke it, and quite unconscious
" she picked it up and held 1t lovingly
in her hand. 1t reminded her tremen-
dously OF their beautiful honeymoon.
They had then spent several weeks at
Jacks lodge III the Catskills. Many Il
time there she had handed Jack his cigar
and had sat very near him-sOmetimes
on his lap-while the fragrant smoke
WreathS had hOated about them. The
perfume Of a choice cigar had never been
offensive to her. Suddenly the thought
occurred TO her that the odOr of the cigar
smoke would be rather pleasant and coy
it would seem as if Jack were there.
Accordingly she carried it to the fire
place, and kneeling down over the crate
she lighted it.
The first little smoke wreath made her
think of her husband. and she sighed:
"Oh, why does he not stay with me?'
Had he so soon grown tired of her So
clety that he must be so frequently at the
club? These unpleasant thoughts filled
her little head and caused a dull ache
around her heart, but she kept the cigar
burning by tanning it, and the perfume
of choice fragrant Havana filled the
room. Bending over the CRATE, keeping
the cigar burning, had flushed her lovely
face, until it seemed as if she were blush
ing deeply. She was quite unaware Of
the time or of how fast it had been fleet
ing until the miniature Westminster
chimes in the clock in the hall tolled the
midnight hour. 1t was time for her hus-
bands return, and he had always before
found her in bed. She usually retired
early. Well she would wait for him
now Throwing the end of the cigar into
the CRATE, she listened for her husbands
step.
Jack. returning at - o'clock, was sur
prised to find the library lights still burn
ing Could Blanche have company at
that unusual hour? He entered the
room and he found her alone, but he
surely detected cigar smoke. What could
it mean? To say the least, he was sur
prised. He supposed his wife would be
SOundly sleeping when he returned. Per
haps some relative of whom he knew
nothing had been to see her Surely she
would mention it. She said nothing
about it. however, but began to put out
the lamps. At last he asked her: who
has been here, Blanche?' but was unpre-
pared for the answer, and was quite
shocked when she replied very sweetly
but slowly: NO one, Jack; | have been
alone"
OF course he dared not dispute her
word or question her, but he was per-
picked and troubled as they assembled
The stairs. He could not forget the lit
tie wreaths of smoke in the library, and
all night he could not sleep. If some
relative or friend had visited Blanche
why did she not say so? She had no
need to deny it! She must be keeping
something from him! He arose very
early and went down to the library. He
did not want to be suspicious. but he was
evidently worried. When Blanche came
down to breakfast she found her hus-
band in Il very pensive mood, and he
gaZed at her constantly.
Blanche, knowing that he came from
the library, thought that he might have
seen the burned cigar, and suppose Jack
should think she had been smoking?
This thought brought the blood to her
face and neck and Ter husband, seeing
her blush before his ardent gaze, gre
alarmingly uneasy The tiny spark of
jealousy that had been trying to creep
into his heart was famed into 4 roaring
flame.
Could she be trying to deceive him?
Him? How would she dare to be I'M
true TO him? She mad no cause 1t re-
ally had been a good many weeks now
since he had been going to the club
nights. Had she been lonely and at last
sought other society? He felt quite sure
that she loved him-at least, she had
loved him.
These distractinge thoughts perplexed
the young husband much more than he