The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-05-15

'hhh ih'S thS SiaNN w AtstNS VLSh
they found they were not welcome.
Did Nellie ever sit and think? She had
plenty Of time for it. Much more time
than he had. Did she look back as he
had abeen looking back? Did-dd 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
as q 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 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, vet 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 doing and dream
ing for he knew not how long. 1t was
past midnight. He would 60 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 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. 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
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 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:"
"Dinner:'
"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
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 frc,1 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 cotfee?'
"First class" answered John, with
great gulp.
"Thank you, dear. You see, Mabel
sent for me In such hurry just had
time to scrbblc 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 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 her?" he asked, with
q lame attempt at jocularity. Then he
added, Been up all night"
Yes" she answered. II couldn't get
away until Mabel fell asleep. But I
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
rs he looked. He had passed a hard
night, and he hadn't the marvellous re.
powers Of his wife. He was
irritable and angry at himself.
"Confound that puff of wind" he
Plain Dealer.