Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1901-04-05
R LBERT DREAMS stood before


er-decked drawing-room and
Strengthened his tie. 1t was fine fig
ure of man that greeted his good-hu-
mored gaze. Albert was amiable
enough when he closed his office door
behind him. Though cold, calculating
and uncompromising in business, the
social side Of his nature was strongly
developed. He had a great capacity
for the enjoyment, of, little. things, a
warm love of life and the good things
thereof, and reveled in a joke. He was
thorough-going optihist, beloved by
his friends and adored by his wife.
When his tie presented an appear
ance of mathematical precision entirely
satisfactory, he carefully pulled down
his cuffs Then turning about, he
glanced at the back of his coat, which
fitted perfectly, following this up by
removing an imaginary bit Of lint from
his coat sleeve. He was carefully
smoothing recalcitrant lock of hair
when a voice behind him said mock
ingly:
"Oh, you look perfectly lovely!
Couldn't bring you hand-glass?
Turning, he saw standing between
the portieres leading from the hall the
lovely, girlish figure of his wife. There
foated about her graceful form the
shimmering tOulle-enmeshed folds of a
golden-yellow ball gown, from which
her white throat and dimpled arms
shone radiantly forth. Her dark brown
curls were piled high upon her head,
her cheeks were pink, and her big
brown eyes were sparkling with laugh
ter.
aren't you a handsome man?" she
said
Now Albert was a diplomat. "That
isn't the question:" he replied, taking
her by the hand and drawing her to his
side before the glass. "The question
is, aren't we handsome coupler and
he struck fetching attitude.
Don't be absurd" she said. do
look nice?"
won't be a woman in the room to COM
pare with you"
"How ridiculous!' exclaimed Mrs
Dreams, but nevertheless she was not
displeased. Really, Bert" she added,
regarding him soberly, wouldn't you
like me better if were tall and fair
and queenly, like Alice"
He shook his head. "Never in the
world, though, of course, your sister
Alice is a beautiful woman. That re-
minds me-" he exclaimed, Harold
Evans is in town."
HE isT
eyes. Met him on the street this
afternoon. They tell me he has been
immensely successful out West. By
the way, | asked him up tonight"
albert" There was a world of re-
proach in her tones, How could you"
"Why shouldn't II" he demanded.
"You know as well as do that Alice
Is coming and that she and Harold
have never consented to meet since
their quarrel years ago."
"Weu, he doesn't need to come"
"But he will come In all probability,
thinking Alice will not be here or you
would not have asked him. Everybody
understands how they feel about 1t, es-
pecially in the family. 1t will be very
awkward" Mrs. Breams' tones were
plaintive.
"Well, IL that isn't the sillieststhing."
said Albert, in deep disgust. 1.-TWO peo-
pie who are old enough to know better
quarrel over nothing and six years
afterward neither will 60 where the
other is invited"
"Oh, every one knows how foolish 1t
is, but that doesn't alter the facts of the
case"
what did they fuss about, anyway"
he asked, as he threw himself into an
easy chair and admired the toes Of his
patent leather shoes.
"He was Jealous" said Mrs. Dreams,
airily-"unjustly so, and, of course,
Alice wouldn't stand 1t. What high
spirited woman would"
81 know one who used to stand It,"
he remarked.
She laughed. "Allce is very differ
ent kind Of a woman"
"Yes," said Albert, she is the kind
who loves to distraction, quarrels with
the object of her regard on the slightest
provocation, ruins both their lives, and
would not marry any other man for the
world"
II guess you are about right" agreed
Mrs. Dreams, ruefully. II am sure she
still loves him, but don't believe any
thing would induce her to speak to
him."
you don'tT he said, blankly. "Not
II he comes here to-nightT
She shook her head; then, CHANGING to
glance at her husband. she saw that
he was smiling-a slow, significant
ornilo which at nnpq arouead har etia.