New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-10
In Confidence.
BY HERBERT A. MORRAH.

When Margaret Ridley and Eustace Conroy
we're first married. thought them both the
most fortunate beings in the world. He was
the young hero Of the story books to look at
and she fairer than a flower 1t was a
nnion OF mature minds. and there was money
on both sides; prospect, therefore. OF more bliss
and success In life than follows the popping of
average champagne Corks. Friend Eustace was
ambitious This promised to keep him up TO
his work at the bar He had n future before
him-uncles In high places. and forth. in
fact, the sun shone upon their joint path. and
yet the clouds came.
AS friend Of both families | received the
condolences Of both from time TO time.
You are an old fogy. Cousin Arthur" Mar
garet would say. II can tell you anything In
confidence. of course. Strictly between you and
me-
Qualified or not for the diploma of Old Fogy-
ism. what man seriously objected to re-
ceive the condolences OF a pretty woman?
As matter of fact, l rather liked the idea.
Whenever she wove the fabric of u hint. l al
ways asked to see the embroidery
Eustace, on the other hand, was a hundred
degrees more nervous. 1t was seldom 81 want
TO know this or that" or II want to tell you
such and-such a matter" He talked of himself
in the third person and in the conditional mood
IF a man were wilfully to rake up something
In the past, when he could easily let it slip
end live as though it had never happened what
would you call him?
"A fool" said /.
Somehow this failed to give pleasure.
"Of course, old man, / was putting a purely
hypothetical case. This time your judgment
strikes me as trile crude. No offence! You
niiO" idte yum Ot'iiiiOliS tremendously ulBn,
a rule"
Well vouched. looking straight at him.
they're honest at any rate. Face to face with
the fool himself. 1 should give the same an
swer."
Next day came Margaret. She looked tired.
thought.
"Oh. the slightest bitr' she admitted You
know what a rush London is. 1 never did pre-
tend TO be robust One would need to be of
strong metal to stand it,
No doubt, the ladies of the Iron Age had the
best of it,"
why. you exalt the dead above the livingr"
But don't like to see you jaded," / remon-
strated. THAT air doesn't suit you. When /
look back at your wedding day-let me see.
how long ago was that? Three years this week"
Fancy your rememberingr'
''one always notes the critical times in the
lives Of ones friends"
''The end of the third year is very danger
stage"
Margaret sighed
How about those confdences?" inquired
"Oh. Cousin Arthur. if 1 only had some one
lean on
Your father
Father" She bit her lips and frowned BE
sides father is really ILL.,
Il am sorry" said 1, conventionany.
'Fiscalits. A bad attack"
THAT explains everything"
Mother is worse"
Well. after ALL" l ventured, lightly they do
belong to the older generation. I'm of yours,
you know, in spite OF the gray hair. We're
more on a level
It's woman!" Margaret said. suddenly
''Of course"
Don't laughr'
But one must" explained. gently. AT this
stage one positively must. 1t is much too early
for tears
Cousin Arthur, were you never in love?"
THAT" said !, gravey rs quite another story.
Perhaps you shall hear 1t some day. In conf
dence you know. Strictly between you and me-"
oh she said, flushing, 81 was-I amin
love with Eustacel This trouble is not ten days
old but it seems lifetime"
''The signs?' inquired
Il should never dream OF prying. Cousin Ar
thur but there are-letters-"
"Yes?'
which he destroys unread"
"Hopefulr'
Some day feel sure he VIII open them"
"Your pessimism shocks me-"
He Is different toward me when he has re-
ceived one
DO YOU tax him with III"