The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-17
An ANNIVERSARY.

Jessica was sitting at table near a
.5indow in a fashionable restaurant,
waiting.
De Narville. standing at the door, saw
her. He fastened to her, holding out
his hand.
Are you here alone?" he questioned
surprised
For the moment" she answered q
am expecting a friend. He was to meet
me here at 81
CHANGING up at a giant gilt clock,
whose hands moved with annoying
slowness: 1T is not quite that yet"
she reflected. impatiently.
De Narville smiled down upon her.
May 1 sit here opposite you?' he
asked, drawing out the chair, until he
comes?"
Certainly" she replied. and he took
the chair.
He observed her admiringly.
You are looking beautiful tonight
Jessica," he began. How dainty your
white is and that touch of rose in your
hat. Old-fashioned roses they are. aren't
they2 On new fashioned woman.
And your little fingers glittering with
Just enough diamonds, not too many.
Just enough. There are some who make
the mistake of wearing diamonds to the
buckles. but you, never! Dear me! The
last time 1 saw you, Jessica. you were
in tears"
Yes" encouragingly.
You and he had just separated. 1t
was very sad. 1 was not surprised at
your tears. One must weep a little for
any husband, worthy or unworthy 1t
is in the nature of things. Particularly
1T is the nature of woman. But | said
to myself, then, In a couple of weeks or
three she will be over it. She will have
entirely recovered And l must saw that
my prophecy has been fulfilled even
sooner than 1 expected. You are extra
ordinarily recuperative, Jessica. How
long has it been? Three weeks?" After
moment employed in rapid mental cal
culation. Three weeksl And here you
are, beaming, more beautiful than l
have ever seen you. and waiting for a
friend.
Half closing his eyes quizzically, he
bent toward her.
1T Is safe to say" he WHISPERED.
that this is not a woman friend for
whom you are so impatiently watching
the hands of the clock, with whom you
are to dine"
A laugh commenced at Jessica's eyes
and finished at her lips.
Hardly" she replied.
Il thought not" declared De Narville.
'And why should it be? Why not go
out at once with your friends? Must
you make a recluse of yourself, while he
has all the enjoyment possible. He goes
where he pIeases. am certain of that
In fact, I have seen people who have
seen people who saw him dining here,
there ana everywhere Will MS aG-
quaintances, man or woman, as it suits
him"
Here he paused for an interval. in or
der to observe the effct. 1t was rather
disappointing than otherwise, Jessica
sitting under fire, composed as mon
ument and quite as calm. He by and by
continued:
LAS a matter of fact, Jessica. you
and he were never suited. you were
never intended for one another Some
unkind fate
Fate. you call it," repeated Jessica.
Then, delicately defining the difference:
when It is unkind. it is fate. When
1t Isl kind, it is Providence. And you
call it fate2''
''Some unEind fate" went on De Mar
Vile stolidly. threw you together
You were too much alike in the first
place. Both of intensely nervous tenn
Peraments, excitable, highstrung: 1t was
not in the nature of things that you
could live together longer than year.
Indeed, many predicted a separation at
the end of six months. or, at the very
least seven. But it has been year, has
MT tt?"
Tonight" said Jessica, softly. sis the
anniversary of our wedding"
De Narville laughed.
'And here you are" presently, eel
ebrating it by dining out with friend!