Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-03-04

not taIf shout those little matters. could
you HUBERT"
Il will talk about anything in the world
that pleases you," ne replied; 'but if ]
were in your place / would try not TO
know the Misses Camden-they are both
proud and disagreeable. Make yourself
happy with me, my darling; never mind
either the spinsters, matrons or maids:
think Of me. and of no one else
They were sitting together one morning
when the English mails came in; there
were several letters Sir Hubert read
through quickly and laid aside.
Il am not in the humor for letters this
morning. he said; nor for my news
papers"
Irene answered laughingly:
That means you are lazy and want me
to read to you"
my clever little darling, you have
guessed the exact TRUTH he replied. Il
am lazy, and, above all, | should like the
dearest voice in the world to read TO me
all that is most amusing in the news
papers"
Il understand" she replied.
1t was wonderful TO see how quickly
she attended TO all his wants. Another
few minutes, and the most beautiful
woman in Paris sat by him, one white
hand lingering in the dark curs Of his
hair, the other holding the paper from
which she read to him. There were sew
eral amusing paragraphs, several tidbts
of the weeks scandal. which were all a
dead letter 10 her, then she said:
1--WE are informed that the Earl Ge-
rant. with his lovely and accomplished
daughter, the Lady Lira Gerant, intend
spending the next few weeks in Paris"
She read the words clearly and distinct
ly; to her they were the same as any
other; then she was startled by a low
cry from his lips.
Ill did not hear, Irene. Read that
to me again. what-who? Read
it again"
Irene read it slowly, carefully, word
for word.
Before she had quite finished he had
risen from his comfortable lounging
chair.
What is the matter. Hulberty' she
asked, gently.
do not read any more. Irene. Either
| am irritable this morning, or l am not
we'll; cannot tell which"
You are never irritable" she answered.
alone. tooY'
He bent down and kissed her.
Il shall not be long, my darling. l am
going out on business, or l would take
Tou."
He was absent some time. When he
returned the sun had set and the hotel
lamps were lighted. He went TO her
room, where she was dressing for dinner
"You will make me play truant again il
you give me such warm welcome home,
Irene" he said.
She was so delighted to see him. He
had never been absent from her so long
before since the day in London when he
had made her his wife.
Il have been very busy, Irene, and l
have something to say which will aston
ish you. Shall you mind if l ask you
to give orders for the packing of your
wardrobe. as | wish to start for Italy to-
morrow
Il will gladly do so if you wish it,"
she said; but this is very sudden reso-
luton, is it not, Hulbert?"
Yes" he said; Il met someone this
morning who told me that Italy was look
ing superb. If you want violets from
Parma, and roses from Modena, now is
your time; let US start tomorrow"
II am sorry to leave Paris" she said;
1--WE have been very happy here"
1--WE shall be happier there, my darl-
ing; this is life of gayety, that will
be a life of art, and you love art best,
do you not, sweet?'
She looked at him suddenly
Hubert" she said, Il have noticed
that you seldom call me wife you say,
darling You use many loving words,
but you seldom call me wife,
1T always seems to me to be an old
fashioned word" he replied, land by no
means a pretty one"
Her beautiful face fell.
DO you think not she said. II am
sorry to hear it. l think it the most
beautiful and impressive word in the
English language"
He smiled, as he said:
do you, beloved wife? Then l will
Try to use it little oftener; you never
told me before how often you liked it,
Now will you give orders about the
boxes?"
(To be continued)