Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-05-03


ally effaced? He had never asked him
self this question before. 1t was time
1t was asked How supremely selfish
he had beenl He had never recognized
the fact until now. He passed his hand
wearily over his forehead. He wasn't
we'll He had the blues He needed a
strong bracer. He went to the side
board and poured out half tumbler-
full of whisky in the little glass. He
picked it up. Then he pushed it back
1t seemed cowardly. Why should he
be afraid of his thoughts? He remem-
bered, too, how reproachfully she al
ways looked at him when he drank.
He knew 1t was a temptation that he
ought to avoid And yet her reproach-
full glances never stopped him. He
would laugh at her and drink in a spir
1t of bravado.
He went back to the big chair in the
library. What confounded disagree
able companions a mans thoughts
were! They came unlimited and they
didn't have the grace to leave when
they found they were not welcome.
plenty of time for it. Much more time
than he had Did she look back as he
had been looking back? Did did she
regret?
A great many people had admired
Nellie All the men who knew Of his
domestic affairs considered him very
lucky man He took their compliments
TIa FNl+
placently that this was complimentary
to his good taste and his admirable
home discipline. Fool!
There was one man in particular, his
friend, whom he had reason to believe
had loved Nellie and would have made
her his wife. He was fine fellow, a
popular man, and he was worth a good
deal of money. He would have made
life easier, perhaps happier, for her.
He contrasted himself with this man.
Was there any possible balance in his
favor? And yet Nellie had preferred
him. Was it love or was 1t pique?
Did the occasional sight Of this old ad-
mirer ever arouse regret?
He got up slowly and looked at the
clock. He had been doing and dream
ing for he knew not how long. 1t was
past midnight He would go to bed.
She certainly wasn't coming home. Be
sides, she had her key.
He turned off the gas and went up
the stairs slowly and wearily. He
felt old When he reached their room.
he did not light the gas. He knew
that almost every object in the apart
ment would remind him of her.
When be was in bed, he stretched his
arm slowly and tenderly across the va
cant place beside him and fell asleep.
He awoke with a subtle odor in his
nostrils, faint. yet pungent-a delicious
odor. He sat up quickly. 1t was broad
daylight with the sun pouring through
the window, over which he had forgot
ten to draw the shade. He looked
about. No, Nellie hadn't come home.
"John, John, you lazy boy! It's g.
o'clock, and the coffee is getting cold"
Was that her voice or was he dream
ing? Can you dream the odor of cof
fee? He dressed In a wild hurry and
then added the finishing touches more
slowly.
She was at the foot of the stairs, her
face beaming, her eyes sparkling.
''Hello, Johnnie she cried.
..Hello," he answered and stopped to
meet her kiss.
''Miss me?'
Eyes. little"
"Thats right. Where did you get
your dinner?'
.DinnerY'
"You great goose, l don't believe you
had any! Did you miss me as much as
that2 But you'll enjoy your breakfast
all the more. OF course you got my
note?"
John started slightly.
"Of course"
"Why. what's this by the bookcase?
Here's the note now. A puff of wind
must have blown it from the table
where you dropped it. There, there;
sit down. You'll find your butterfly
wife hasn't forgotten how to cook.
How's the coffeeT'
First class" answered John, with a
great gulp.
THANK you, dear. You see, Mabel
sent for me In such hurry just had
time to scribble that note and Jump in
the carriage. And oh, John, they've
got the sweetest little girl baby there
you ever saw! And, John. do you
know, Mabel wouldn't let me out of
her sight for a moment; just clung to
me and didn't want anybody else to
come near her; kept me holding tight
to her hand for hours and hours. 1t
touched me deeply, John. never
dreamed Mabel cared so much for me-"
He looked up. Her bright eyes were
full of tears.
Can you blame herY he asked, with
a lame attempt at jocularity. Then he
added, Been up all night?
"Yes," she answered. 81 couldn't get
away until Mabel fell asleep. But 1
hope don't show my late hours as you
do, John. You look quite bleary."
AS he went down the street to the
car little later he felt quite as bleary
as he looked. He had passed hard
night, and he hadn't the marvellous re-
cuperative powers Of his wife. He was
irritable and angry at himself.
"Confound that puff Of wind" he
Baid.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.