Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-09-19
MANS lNCRA1ITUDE.

capt. Leroy 5 regiment nou gone TO tue
front. and his lovely little wife was left
alone. to face the separation lis best she
might
She was one of those weak, cinging lit
tie women who, petted and spoiled all
their lives, always depend on others in
treuhle, and are never capable IN any
emergency OF thinking Or acting for
themselves. SO when the parting came
she gave way utterly, cried her pretty
eyes dim, and declared. with sObs which
shook her slight frame, that the blow
weuld Kill her
poar Tom. BE Il brave little woman for
my sake. Remember you are a soldiers
wife. and face trouble with courage and
cheerfulness.
Il can't l can't.' she sobbed.
'Think OF baby, Maggie"
Babies only add to ones misery, she
''Nonsense, she will be comfort to
Won, and remind you Of her father urged
Tom
'sAs if I should need reminding. AS if
xou would be out Of my thoughts night or
day. sleeping or waking. [ shall miss you
every minute of my life" and the poor
child. she hardly seemed more in spite of
heF twenty-five years, chung to her huS-
band and cried as if her heart would
break.
He begged her to try and bear up and
look forward to tie happy time of his
return with glory and honor.
Try to occupy your mind healthily.
dear; take up a study or pursuit, or so
down into the country with baby and stag
with your mother"
Mother would drive me mad with her
fussy sympathy" she answered petulant-
~. Il want to be a,one, TO think of you,
my dear oner'
4 IL, ri
Nope. Stay here III town if you like, its
ivelier; but go about and see all the
friends you cas-. so everywhere, dear
old Dick is always ready TO escort you,
and he loves you like a sister. You can
trust him entirely, dear, and he will
come to you at once IN any trouble or
difficulty. Promise me to trust Dick.
She promised, and then the parting had
TO come, and to both it was more bitter
than death.
=
He was gone, and Aiadge lay on the
couch in her dressing room for an hour
in the abandonment of grief which she
felt that nothing IN the world could
Soothe.
Then spent with weeping she lay quite
still in the dusk, trying TO picture her
life without the tender solcitude and low
ing care of the husband she adored. o.,
Presently her maid, Bates, crept softly
in with a cup of tea, and asked if she
should light the gas
Madge nodded assent, and when the
girl had gone, reused herself and went
TO the glass.
mustn't cry any more, or l shall lose my
good looks, and then Tom won't know
me if-when he comes back.
Her lips quivered. but she checked her
tears and bathed her eyes in cold water
for half an hour, with wonderful erect
i ,o1- he, raC
young that it does on their elders.
She took I'D the latest novel, bur 1t
failed to interest her. Then she fell to
turning over the dresses in her wardrobe
"a, to her, always interesting occupa--
ton. In the midst Of it Bates returned
and handed her card.
"Oh. Dick" she exclaimed glancing at
it. Tell Mr.. Denver L can see no one
so soon-so very soon
He said, Ina-am, that he knew you q
see him, so old and intimate Il friend Of
the masters You needn't dress or any
thing. and he's come straight from see
ing the master off. and has message
for you"
Madge no longer hesitated. With the
womanS help she slipped on 4 handsome
ald-gold dressing gown trimmed with
black Spanish lace. brushed back her
wavy hair. and with last look at the
toilet glass, slowly descended the stairs
10 the drawing room.
>
couch to meet her, and as he took her
hand with tender sympathy and drew
her to the seat beside him, be said, in a
tone of brotherly authority:
7 knew you were all alone, and waht-
ed cheering Tom gave me my orders,
and they were strict. l shall obey them
to the letter.
Madge smiled family and shook her
head.
Dick. always the brightest and wittiest
I'd off 10 hi ,,a1
rafting way. with a lot of society and
club gossip. and scandal, such as Madge's
frivolous little soul delighted in. and
amused her SO well that presently she
found herself laughing heartily.
She checked herself, and then Dick
scolded her.
Such rot he exclaimed. Dear old
Tom would be only too glad to hear you
and grateful to me into the bargain
He wants YOU to be as jolly as a little
sand boy-grl | mean. Now, what form
of wild dissipation can we indulge in to-
night? The first evening is always the
worst: once that's over you'll soon get
used to his absence. Don't spend it at
home where things remind you. Try
quite new scenes. Let's go out to a the
alter, concert, or gaff Of some kind?''
oh protested Madge weakly. would
it be quite the thing so soon-the very
same dayT'
Quite" he assured her. Its his
wish. You'll be pleasing him. Now
what do you say to the Empire? You've
never been to q music hall in your life,
have you?'
"Oh, no. I couldn'tr'
why not?''
II scarcely know. Are they quite
proper? Tom never took me,''
80 much the better. Lots of ladies
go; there is nothing in the entertainment
the least offensive to the most refined
taste and it will be a novel experience
for YOU"
I should feel quite dissipatedr'