Connecticut western news., 1900-06-14

A great many people had aumireo Nellie. All the men who knew of his
 domestic affairs considered him a very lucky man. He took their compliments IS a matter of course. He felt com 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 a fine fellow, a popular man, and he was worth 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 1t 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 dozing and dream ing for he knew not how long. It was past midnight He would go to bed. She certainly wasn't coming home. Be- sides, she had her key.
 He turned of 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 he was in bed, he stretched his arm slowly and tenderly across the va cant place beside him and fell asleep. He awoke with subtle odor in his nostrils, faint. yet pungent-a delicious odor. He sat up quickly. It 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 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 meT
 "Yes. a little"
 That's right. Where did you get your dinnerp'
 "DinnerP
 You great goose, don't believe you had any! Did you miss me as much as that? But you'll enjoy your breakfast all the more. Of course you got my noteT
 John started slightly. "Of course"
 "Why, what's this by the bookcase Here's the note now. A pun of wind must have blown 1t from the table where you dropped 1t. 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. Ii
 touched me deeply, John. I never dreamed Mabel cared so much for me-
 He looked up. Her bright eyes were
 full of tears.
 "Can you blame herr" he asked, with
 a lame attempt at jocularity. Then hs
 added, Been up all nightT
 "Yes," she answered. "I couldn't gel
 away until Mabel fell asleep. But
 hope don't show my late hours as you
 do, John. You look quite bleary."
 As he went down the street to tho
 car little later he felt quite as bleary as he looked. He had passed a 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
 said.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.