Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-03-20

WIN Whom you seemed 10 De nav
ing such an animated coneoraatioa7n
(which woman2r was his rejoindsr.
II talked to several"
az didn't see her face" replied
Clara, "as she had her beck to hse
the whole time but she was dressed
in mauve, with pink bows and had
light, fluffy hair"
eyes, know whom you meaa, " aaid
Jack. slowly. as N with an effort Of
memory. "Her name is Miss Oxfert,
I think Our hostess introduced me"
"Was she nice2"
There was no jealousy on Ciera's
part. She was simply Interested In
everything connected with her hus-
band-nothing hiore.
VERY. on first acquaintance, he
answered. "And, by the way" he
went on, "she bears a very remark
able resemblance to you"
"Does she?" exclaimed Clara, with
animation. "Oh. do take me and in
t1oduce me TO her, jack 1t viii be
so interesting TO meet my double"
To this request Jack acceded will
ingly, and the two women became
acquainted. Clara acknowledged to
herself that there was q striking like
ness. but she could not help seeing
that Miss Oxford had the advantage
Of being younger aud fresher She
was very lively girl. and Clara
thought that she firted decidedly too
much. but the objection was not so
much on her husbands account as
on general principles Of feminine
propriety
On the way home Jack spoke very
onthusiastical about Miss oxford,
and Of course, Clara, TO please him,
chimed in. He remarked casually
that he had promised to drop in to
tea one afternoon at the house of
that lady's parents.
"Isn't it rather odd not to invite
me too?" suggested'his wife, timidly.
ooh, no. You see she couldn't very
well do that under the cirsumstan-
ces," returned Jack in an airy tone
"But l dare say Miss oxford will call
upon you when l have been there"
And the matter was dropped.
n lew NNNA 10 dANI 0uiA AliAl AAWA 8AAANN
home until dinner time, and during
the operation of having his boots
unlaced he talked enthusiastically
about Miss Oxford on whom he had
/ Just been calling.
"she is a lovely girl" he said in
| tones OF warmest admiration. Just
what you were like Ave years age.
It was tactless speech and Clsra's
fingers trembled as she struggled to
unrsvei a tight knot
Really now, taking her festurs by
feature" he went on, obiyious Of
the pain he was infictiHg. and too alb
sorbed In his own interests TO notice
his wife's agitation, there Is an
astounding resemblance between you
both. But the expression is diRer-
ent. She seems much brighter and
more girl"
He stopped short, suddenly aware
that his tongue was running too
fast, and glanced at the lneehng fig
ure in front Of him.
Clara's head was bent low over her
task and she did not speak
He stopped forward good-natur
ly and lifted her face up by the chin.
She was flushed, and tears Elistened
in her eyes.
"Why, you foolish little woman,
what are you crying aboutT' he
asked.
Clara burst into tears-partly be
cause of her own over-wrought feel
ings, and partly on account Of the un-
usual kindness of her husbands in
terrogation. Tears generally had the
effect of making him angry and i'm
patient.
81 am losing my good looks, aAd
you don't care about me any longer
she sobbed.
"Nonsensel" exclaimed Jack, who
began to see the clumsiness of his
remarks.
"You think Miss Oxford much pref.
tier thaa | am, and dare say you
find her far more lively and enter
tanning" Clara went ON in broken
voice.
"IIer sole attraction for me is hei
likeness to YOU" returned her hus
band, soothingly.
"Is that really so. Jaek?" sh,
asked, smiling through her tears.
"Of course, you goose! Have yor
ever known me to take a fancy to any
other woman before?"
"N-Noi"
"Well, then, I think you ought tC
feel hattered at my going out Of my
way TO be civil to a girl simply be
cause she is the living image Of your
self"
81 did not see it in that light be
fore" said Clara, drying her eyes ant
looking cheerful again. But ] wal
afraid you were beginning to get
tired of me, use-because--"
because of my stupid way OF
putting things" interrupted Jack
who could rise to delicaoy when Il
suited his purpose
After this episode Jack paid FIRE
quent visits at the OKford's house
even staying to dinner sometimes II
an impromptu fashion, that left hii
wife waiting for him an hour IN vair
before she dared sit down to tn,
spoiled meal at home.
But II these absences were nsvei
objected to, and II Clara suffered OF
account Of them, she never reproach
ed her husband. On the contrary shs
encouraged his friendship with Mis-
Oxford, and resolutely struggled
against any feelings Of Jealousy
trusting implicitly in his honor.
Jack was careful not TO repeat tn,
blunder that had once led to an un
pleasant scene. but he often talked