The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-21
ONLY A MODEL.
She sat at the window constantly.
BY A. b. CHARTER.

~ NO0Aa AOL ACAk nONASAA6 tAaN A jill
the first.
The window was opposite the dining
room window, and the dining-room was
also our sitting-room. And there she
was all the time Charles Augustus was
at home. 1 did not see him look at her,
but of course he did. Men are all alike.
Besides, if saw her, why shouldn't he?
If he had frankly owned 1t, I'd have
not thought of the matter; but when
said to him, That's rather a pretty
girl, isn't it?" and he said. What girl?'
and 1 said, "At the window" and he
said, Haven't seen a soul there"-why
began to be suspicious.
So, when I'd said. "Ahi'-just "ah!"
II said no more, but l watched; and
the more l watched the more unpleasant
matters grew. You would not have
liked it either, to see bold-faced thing
like that staring at your husband, can
tell you; not so much as pretending to
read or sew. or anything.
am a little near-sighted, and
couldn't tell what her expression was.
but the very way she carried her head
was enough for me.
I'll tell you just where the window
was; not opposite. but at the side. as 1t
were. Our house was the first house in
the street, and the house with the win
dow was the first in the street that
crossed it.
At first l contented myself with pull
ing down the blinds, but she never
minded that Then | stared at her-af-
ter Charles Augustus had gone out, you
know-for she kept there still. But
man came to the window, and Of course
had to go away.
l suppose he pulled their blinds down,
for down they were at all events, pretty
soon. and l congratulated myself; but
next morning they were up again, and
there she was, with her hair in puffs
and curls. as though she were going to
a ball. No woman ever dressed her hair
in that way before breakfast without
having some good reason for it.
Now, Charles Augustus and had only
been married a year. and had no fault
to find with him; but still, men are SO
much alike the world over, and it was
odd he never spoke of her If he had
said, What a very forward young per-
son." or, TT must annoy you, my dear,
to have any one staring like that into
your room" OF something of that sort,
it would have seemed so much better.
l felt sure he noticed her, and at last
1 knew it. He had hidden me good-by
Just as fondly as possible, and pretend
ing that he had something to do which
obliged him to go out earlier than usual;
and, ten minutes after. happening to
go to my window. l saw him in that
room. Yes. at the very window, with
that impudent creature. felt my head
swim, and 1 couldn't see or hear any
thing for a moment. Then summoned
all my courage.
Edith Robbins" I said to myself,
you must do something. You must not
sit down tamely and let this go on. Put
on your hat. go round the corner, enter
the door and face that creature; put an
end to this abominable Irritation at once,
before worse comes Of It,"
At once grew strong. rose and put
on my hat and jacket. 1 took my par
asol in my hand, and. choking down my
tears, walked slowly out Of the door ]
had entered q happy bride IL months
before. Should I ever be happy again
1 did not know; perhaps this was but
the dawn Of some great misery.
1 turned the corner and entered the
hallway of the first house. 1t was dingy
and dark. 1t did not suggest the neigh.
borhood OF refined people. The doors
were all closely shut, but made my way
along the hall and knocked at the frs
one. Some one called Come in"
opened the door and entered. TIL,
first thing that caught my eyes was
tall figure, sitting in an armchair
wrapped in a sheet. A man was bendins
over her. Something glittered in tn,
air.
1 recognized the face Of Charles Au
gustus in the sheeted form, and thu
rufian who had stared at me in the
dreadful creature who brandished tn,
weapon over his head 1t was all plair
10 me. He had by some means been be
guiled into this awful place that h,
might be robbed and murdered. / CAV,
q shrek and tainted away
When 1 came to myself Charles An
gustus was clasping me in his arms
and a strange man held a cologne bot
tie to my nose, while the bold creature
, had noticed stared dawn at me.
gasped:
Where am II"
And Charles Augustus answered yer,
kindly, but not very cheerfully,
I'm the hairdresser's. my dear. ant
as 1t is just the hour when it is busiest
the sooner we get home the better.
think"
And then began to understand The,
wrap gentlemen up in sheets befor,
they cut their hair and shave them, 20,
know, and the deadly weapon was
razor And the bold creature-well
there she stood, and she certainly ha,
her hair curled and puffed-but as be
low her shoulders she was only a wood
en- block. It did not matter. l had beef
Jealous Of a hairdresser's sign!-Shor