River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-05-30

Dick, not to be outdone, merely
nodded to her carelessly, saying:
y sha'n't be up till late; we're go-
ing TO play baccarat."
And the little bride retired feeling
miserable and guilty, and wept her
self to sleep in womanly fashion, her
last waking thought being a fearful
determination to expiate her neglect
of Dick the next day by avoiding
Magnac, and never to try to fiirt any
more with any one but her husband
But it was not so easy to accom-
plish her purpose, as Dick, after sleep
ing late and declining to show respon-
siveness, avoided her all day, spend
ing all his spare time with the widow.
while Magnac made her life aburden by
his persistent pursuit, puzzled in turn
by her unresponsive behavior, but not
to b, deferred thereby, mindful of the
graciousness of the previous evening.
Il thought de Sales and his wife
were such a model pair of turtle
doves remarked the cynical marquis;
but it seems to be the old, old tale
of convenience and cash-boxes."
YES" rejoined the sprightly lady,
his temporary fascination, at seems
to be all widow with one, while the
other drags Magnac in manacles."
At length one day after a week of
mutual misery, the Goddess of Chance,
kindly for the nonce, brought mat
tiers to a head by simple circum-
stance On a damp and dreary after
noon Dick was playing billiards alone
with the widow, when, firing of
cigars, he ran to his room in the mid
die of the game to fetch a favorite
pipe.
As he opened the door without
warning, he heard the sound of sobs
from the couch in the corner.
What's wrong?" he asked, outward
~ nonchalant, though his heart be-
gan to beat furiously. HAS Magnac
deserted you?"
Ooh, Dick" walled his wife, break
ing out into a fresh paroxysm of
weeping, 'ho-ow can you?"
He crossed the room. and took up
his stand near her on the hearthrug.
Fec he said, in a softer voice,
whats wrong? Aren't you enjoying
yourself?"
"Oh, Dick" she sobbed, you know
I'm not. I've hardly seen or spoken
to you for whole week."
Well" he said assembling his
agitation, 81 thought you were tired
of negotiating like respectable cab
bage, and wanted little variety"
She started up and looked at him
with tear-stained blue eyes which
seemed to plead for mercy.
81 thought I'd give you a fair field
as it's such a bore to see more than
necessary of ones husband" he went
on almost brutally.
Dick" she cried, jumping up with
frightened catch in her voice,
where were you?"
Smoking on the terrace; but" he
went on, Il only heard little of your
conversation, quite by accident Then
l went in again"
Dick, darling" she sobbed, trying
to reach high enough to put her arms
round his neck, forgive me, forgive
me; | didn't mean il bit. Only /
thought, you know" she continued,
as he unbent little to aid her in.
tentions, enabling her to draw closer,
people would think us so silly; ]
didn't know then really how happy
| was. | thought I wanted to firt}
as heaps of other married women do;
but | found out almost at once
didn't. And then Magnac wouldn't
let me alone-he didn't seem to un.
derstand; and you were alawys with
that horrid, fast American widow
oh, Dick, can't tell you how miser.
able I've been. Do forgive me, dar.
ling; I didn't think you'd mind"
But | did, little woman" he said,
bending down and kissing her pas.
sionately.
Il was only trying to keep in prac.
tice for your sake" she pleaded, gain
ing heart and smiling, Andromache.
like, through her tears.
Then don't try any more" he said
decidedly, and then fell to kissing
her again.
And between them they spent any.
thing but mauvaise quart d'heure
making il up.
Suddenly Dick jumped up.
Great Scott" he exclaimed, 81
forgot that woman in the billiard
room!"
After hurried explanation, de
layed by consoling kisses, off rushed
Dick. to find Mrs. Massingham in the
middle of game with Magnac; and
somehow his excuses were received
with a certain GOODNESS.
And you have forgotten to bring
your pipe after ALL" finished up the
widow sweetly.
30 lord" muttered Dick, making
the best of matters by hurried re.
| treat to his wife's boudoir, where he
spent the rest of the afternoon
That night Dick was deposed and
Magnac reigned in his stead, in Mrs
| Massingham's graces.
Only a temporary alteration"
commented the marquis on the case,
watching Dick and Fec together:
! and | can't quite fathom II That