Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-12-30

IOlO oISe1, AOI NIOSC CUlIlpdlllO0SllD OH
this, her second venture, she ardcntl7
yearned. While admitting the triviality
of her scheme, she was also forced to
admit that if she had paid closer atten-
ton t. the power of trifes in her first
marriage she would have been saved
from the sorrow OF their crushing conse-
! qucnces.
She reviewed carefully the tastes Of
the three men as they had been eX
pressed, consciously or mconsciously, 1T
different times. In regard to Mr.. Brown,
who, it has been stated, depended largely
upcn his physical attractions to speak in
his behalf, her memory chung to the re-
monbralce of the fact that he not only
avoided the wearing of anything in t.. F,
way of recllties which would seem to at
tract public attention. but that his dislike
toward certain members of his. own
sex appeared to be founded on nothing
more rational than their taste in this
! PAR icular article of dress
He was a tall blond, man to court
the cyc dressed in the dullest hucs: to
flash a conspicuous tie was like posting
loud toned ehromo on the stately wall
of an imposing edifice. The widow select
ed six scarlet ties at the most fashion
able haberdashers IN town and then lost
herself in conjecture as to the result of
this act. A man who could stand that
test must she admitted have some good
stuff in him.
Mr.. Jones was fond of a fine cioar-1
! pet weakness, extolled, as pet Weaknesses
are apt to be. until they appear like vir-
tues. Mrs. Brisloe could svmpathize
with him, for Number Ones cigars had
been simply impossible 1t was his pet
economy, and as is the way with pet
economies, it had undoubtedly FASTENED
his death It's effect had been many
times to drive her to the barrier of
locked doors and to the fumigating of
window draperies and gowns. In the
light of the sacrifice she was to demand
of Mr.. Jones, the mere wearing of red
ties was like the scorching of q parlor
match to death at the stake
1t was not so easy to deal with Mr.
Robinson who was more reserved in re-
gard to his opinions. She had noticed
however, on certain occasions, slight
skittishness in his attitude toward
strange animals, and it seemed to her
that the gift of bulldog might meet the
problem.
Having decided on the tests, it only
remained for the victims to play into
her hands She withdrew herself from
society during Christmas week. and from
the suburban residence of a friend ar
ranged meetings with the three expect
ants. DO drop in for cup of o'clock
tea. she wrote Mr.. Brown "on next
! Wednesday, and come right from bust
ness; we can have a nice tete-a- tete"
10 come right from business meant, Of
course. the red badge of courage; she
trusted to his penetration to read this
between the lines.
MIR. Brown appeared at the time stated
| in the red tie-a flaming notice of his
approach. There was an oval mirror in
the sitting room which reflected sister
mirror IL the hall, and its duplicity dis
closed to her watchful eyes Mr.. Brown
struggling with a refractory knot and
breathing curses under his breath He
was suave In his mannr, as usual, when
he entered the room, and bowed over hc.'
hand with the grace of a Chesterfield
How do you like it? 2" he asked, gayly.
touching the scarlet silk; you couldn't
have pleased NE more if you'd tried for
week"
Truth squirmed at such a solar plexus
blow, and he tried to still its dying
agonies by hedging little. II don't
usually wear bright colors, but every one
admires this SO mucn | believe 1 will in
the future. It's becoming, isn't it," He
| leaned over to help her with some tea
things. Some day, dear little woman /
hope you'll choose all my ties
Il see no room for Ananias in my
future plans" said Mrs Brisloe to her
self that night and with this sur rning
up of the situa ton dismissed it for all
time.
You have often" she wrote Mr.. Jones.
asked me to set a night when you could
give ME a dinner at your pretty rooms.
Surprising we say Thursday next and
the Nestles for chaperons.' HE could"
she pondered, :'forget the cigars if 1 asked
him to dine with me-
The dinner was a success from caviare
to walnuts. 1t was Mrs. Brisloe who
suggested that the ladies remain at table
while the men smoked. Il do love Il
good cigar" she said coquettishly, look
ing into Mr. Jones' gray eyes. He
changed color; then braced himself.
''Supposing, before we settle down to
smoke, you come into the library and
see my new Roycrofts."
The chaperons laughed discreetly ooh.
IL 1911 d. piOpOodI, flC Will
an attempt at lightness. "I'm on the
waiting list already"
They looked at the books; then he
took her hand. "You won't be offended
if | say something-you are such SELL
sible woman?"
Like others of her sex. Mrs. Brisloe
loathed the appellation of sensible, and
she felt herself freeze at its use. won
dering why it was that man could not
distinguish between sincerity and bru
talitv.
"You can't ell now I appreciate your
kindness in sending me those cigars, but,
my dear child. | couldn't offer them to
Nestle; why, he's a connoisseur, and -
He paused, and then went ON abruptly:
Il can't even smoke them myself. I have
tried" this with the expression of a
man who is waiting to have his halo
fitted
Mrs. Brislce looked penitent She had
the whole gamut of expression at her
command.