Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-05-27

pufed thOughtiully al cigar. Sup.
pose an eXacting wife had compelled
me to leave that comfortable Preside?
Somehow the nonsense my brother
had been talking occupied my mind.
| rose and looked in mirror. My hair
was certainly getting thin on top of
my head; my waistcoats were more
commouIous than In extreme youth.
But then Mrs. Marden was no longer
lyoung-abOut 40. | decided, though
looking a few years less. | had met
her several times. and found her an
agreeable companion. Old Marden
had married her soon after his first
J wife died. and, within a year, died
himself.
My reflections were Interrupted at
this point by the door opening. The
head of Fanny appeared.
"Good-by, johnny she said. Dream.
ing of the fair widow"
Go away" said !. But Fanny came
in and knelt by my chair.
ITS a shame to tease YOU" she
said.
"If the lady has conceived a strong
affection for me began, with dignity
For your money" interrupted Fan.
ny.
81 would be loved for myself alone"
| said. plaintively.
so you shall you are a dear old
thing. and know girl will find it out
one day"
WhercupOn my sister kissed me.
and flew away 10 join Samuel. who
was becoming notIceably impatient
downstairs.
| have always observed that when
our suspicious are aroused, we find
plenty Of incidents with which to
strengthen them. Before had been
two days at Mildenhall / was firmly
convinced that Mrs. Marden intended
to marry me. My brother and sister
agreed with me- though they besought
me to guard against the sin Of vanity.
1T isn't your beauty, John" said
Samuel. It's a husband with pockets
that she wants. But Fanny and | are
doing our best for YOU
! muvmured my thanks.
81 told Mrs. Marden last night you
had an AWFUL temper"
You need not have troubled"
oh. II was a pleasure. II there Is
any disgracefUl incident in your past
life, you would like me to mention
81 think II would be better not to
discuss me-"
AS you like, of course: but you
must be careful, John. People are
beginning to talk. In the smoking
room last night | happened to remark
that you had been dancing more than
usual, when that fool Smithers said
that Mrs, Marden was fond OF dane.
ing and then laughed in his fat.head.
ed way
you'd better keep Your tongue
quiet" remarked angrily
There's another thing stuck r,G."
continued Samuel, whispering melo-
dramatically "a my ear. Next yea
is leap yea. IN four days you are 1T
her mercy. Hhehre Is only one way
OF escape. YAu must be cut out"
Eth? Wh1t?" ! calculated
cut out--haye q hated rival, you
know. I'll iil.d one
Don't be an ass said, with some
asperity. But Samuel took no notice
Of my wrath.
Il must talk It over with Fanny, he
said, and departed.
Although the thought of leap year
being so close at hand did not disturb
m" lcould | not say ! would be
brother 10 her3, did not like to
hear OF these remarks in the smoking
room. had, it was quite true, been
frequently in the company of Mrs.
Narsd"n during the last few days, but
It had been mere chance, or so sup.
posed. But the far-headed Smthcrs
could not know that. | determined
to be more careful.
That afternoon | was chatting with
my hostess about mutual friends,
when she said: - am so glad to see
YOU like Mrs, Marsden."
| grew hot. Had Lady Tremaine
taken the unprotected widow under