The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-07

[INNEAPOIIS JOUJRN
were half grown. he had long since given
up youthful friskiness, but she was .at it,
still. Why, she had been older than he
be for He gazed at her soft, rounded
Cheek and quenched the thought.
t.And you are very happy?" she pur-
sued, with tender solicitude, "Nettie
makes you a perfect wife, suppose"
Perfect" he assented gravely.
''And you haven't missed me at all?''
"Can you ask?" It was the way in
which all men spoke to Marie Wakeman,
married or single, rich or poor, one with
another. He laughed inwardly at his
lapse into the expected tone. 'I feel that
really breathe for the first time in years,
now that I'm with you again. But how is
it that you are not rnarri ed ~
''What, after had known your She
gave him reproachful glance. And you
were so cruel to meas soon as you had
made your little Nettie jealous you cared
for me no longer. Look what I've declined
to!' She indicated Jim Shore, leaning
disconsolately against the cornice, chew
ing his mustache. Now, don't give him
your place unless you really want to;
well, if you're tired Of me already-thanlS
you ever so much, and am really proud
of you tonight, Billy?''
The last speeches were over. but Mr..
William Belden's triumph had not ended.
AS the acknowledged orator Of the even
ing he had an ovation afterward: intro
ductions and unlimited hand -shakings
were In order.
He was asked to speak at q select politf-
cal dinner the next week; to speak for the
hospital fund; to speak for the higher edu-
cation of woman. Led by a passing re-
mark Of Henry Belden's to infer that his
rxyI,i xoIo 80 -,
prominent social nagnate at once invited
him to join the party at his house on one
Of their whist evenings.
my wife. .er-will have great pleasure
in calling on Mrs Belden,'' said the mag
nate. I'VE did not know that we had q
good whist player among US. This even
ing has indeed been revelation in many
ways. You would have no objection to
taking q prominent part in politics, il you
were called upon? A reform mayor is
sadly needed In our city-sadly needed.
Your connection with Judge Belden would
| give great weight to any proposition of
! that kind. But, Of course, all this Is in
the future
Mr.. Belden heard his name whispered in
another direction, In connection with the
cashiership Of the new bank which was to
be built The cashiership and the mayor
atty might be nebulous honors. but it was
sweet, for once, to be recognized for what
he was man Of might; q man Of talent,
and of honor.
There was hurried rush for the train
at the last on the part Of the visitors. The
| night had evolved, the moon was rising
and poured a flood Of light upon the wet
streets. 1t was different world from the
one he had traversed earlier in the even
ing. He walked home with Miss Wake.
4 mans exaggerated tender "Good-by, deal
/ Billy!" ringing in his ears, to provoke ir-
| repressible smiles. The pulse of q free
life, where men lived instead Of negotiating
was in his veins. His footstep gave forth
a ringing sound from the pavement. Il
was even with no sense Of guilt that hi
heard the church clocks striking II 8.
he reached the house. - --...s.l -
His wife was sitting up for him. as h
knew by the light In the parlor window
He could see her through the half close
blinds as she sat by the table, a magazin
in her lap, her attitude, unknown to her
self. betraying a llstless depression. Afte
i all, is a woman glad to have all her aspi
rations and desires confined within fou
walls? To what does a wife descen
after the bright dreams Of her girlhood
Does she really like above all things to b
absorbed in the daily consumption of but
ter, and the children's clothes, or Is sh
absorbed in these things because the ma
who was to have widened the horizon
| 1ACI LILO SAAy 4AA14SS II Wy Ills OWL OoCS
dence?
She rose to meet her husband as sh
heard his key in the lock-. She had ez
changed her evening gown for zoos
trailing white wrapper, and her fair ha
was arranged for the night in a long brai
Her husband had a smile on his face.
+. You look like a girl again." he sal
brightly, as he stopped and kissed he
''No, don't turn out the light; come an
sit down while longer; I've ever so muc
to tell you. You can't guess where T.,
| been this evening"
"At the political meeting she sa
promptly. - :. =
''EIow on earth did you lnow?"
THE doctor came here to see Willy, ar
he told me he saw you on the way T.
glad you did go, William; was worryir
because I had sent you out: did N
realize until later what night it was"
We'll, am glad that you did sen
me-" said her husband. He lay back
his chair, flushed and smiling at tt
lrecollection. What will you say if I te
you that made speech-yes, it is qui
true-and was applauded to the ech
This town has just walked up to the ia,
that live in it. And Henry said-b,
there, I'll have to tell you the who
thing, or you can't appreciate It,"
n His wife leaned on the arm Of his chat
1t watching his animated face fondly, as |
e recounted the adventures of the night
q "And you don't say that Marie WAX
3, man is the same as ever?" she 1nte
It rupted with q fash of special interes
It "Oh, William!"
a "She called me Billy" He laush,
anew at the thought =
;" did she remind you Of the time y
kissed her?" -
or 'Yesr' Their eyes met In amazed re
IT ognition of the past.
~ ''Is she as handsome Ms ever7'
" "Um-yesI think SO. She tsnt
t; pretty as you are"
I'd }"Oh, Will" She blushed and dimple
III Il declare, it is true!'' He gazed
1t her with genuine admiration. ''What b
a come over yon~=to- might, Nettie?-y,
40 look like girl again.
n, And you were not sorry when p
saw her. that-that-'' ~
as Sorry! I have been thinking all I
We way home how glad I was to have W
ed my sweet wife. But we mustn't st
es shut up at home as much as we hay
sr, It's not good for either Of us, We 3
r to be asked to join the whist club-wt
NJ do you think Of that? You used to be
O. little card dend once upon q time. I ]
ny member
ne She sighed. 1T is SO long since ha
rs rs been anywherel I'm afraid haven't a
u :, clothes, Will suppose might
II What. dear?"
saTake the money 7 nut aside for Ma -