Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-03-15
AFTER THE OTHER MIN.
ONN0~~~@N~~

hearth. The winter day was
dying, and already the gloom of a
bleak twilight was filling the room,
They drew their chairs close to the
fire, and Vrail stretched out his hands
to the grateful heat.
A gust of wind ratified the sleet
sharply against the dripping window.
Vrail rose and stood for a moment
looking out at the leaden sky.
The melancholy days are come, y
he quoted gloomily.
Babbette reused herself from the
comfortable depths of the chair.
Come back to the fire, and have
some tea" she said. This weather
gives me the blues"
II wish l might lay my own private,
particular blues to the weather" said
,Vrail bitterly.
What else?" she said lightly.
"YouIl feel differently tomorrow
when the sun shines again"
''Will the sun shine tomorrow he
asked IF it does, it won't be the
same sun"
Tommy vr.,il," she cried in ex-
asperated tones, as she stamped the
floor with one little foot, this is not a
funeral"
mot yours, anyway" he said, as he
resumed his seat near her.
you and the weather are a delight
full combination this afternoon" she
Knocked.
Il can't see the weather home, so
I'll go myself" he said, half rising.
'Sit still, fooDish" she said. "Will
you have one lump or two?"
'My temper needs all there is in
the bowl, fear" he said humbly.
at does" she sad grimly. Your
mood is villainous."
ITS a recent development" he said,
suggestively.
And possibly not incurable," she
supplemented.
20. there's a cure" ne said, eager
~.
80 I've heard before" she said, and
laughed softly.
''It's real funnyw he speered.
"CrosspatchT' she said, still laugh
ing.
Bah, he said, turning 10 her, "is it
your mother?"
II generally manage my own af-
airs" she said.
"Then he ISL t a millionaire" he ask
ed.
Poorer than a church mouse" she
Confded.
30, LordT' he said, in despair.
She looked at him steadily. A sar-
donic smile curved her mouth.
'Nfust have brains. then" he pur-
sued
'Intermittently," she said.
what on earth did you ever fall
in love with him for?" he groaned.
"Just because l shouldn't, l sup
pose" she explained. Hes the most
improbable, impractical. charming
dreamer 1 ever knew. He writes me
most deliciously foolish sonnets-'
Il wrote you sonnets, too" he re-
minded her.
His are really charming" she said.
looking away.
az see," he said. coldly.
There was silence for a time.
'T hope you'll be very happy" he
said. at length.
.'Now. that's like the old Tommy"
she sad, warmly.
You'll probably forget me-" he con-
planned.
Never" she said. stoutly.
,o~or fo~r~ok x-o,, DO
ne said I'm fact, there are a thousand
and one things l shan't forget"
She was silently staring at the fire.
We've had some high old times,
anyway" he observed.
She nodded,
her tt?" he went on. ''You wanted the
water lilies. and l got in beyond my
,ispth How you laughed. you heart
less little wretch
"You laughed so absurd, Tommy"
she said, giggling at the recollection of
him, with your clothes all mud and
your hat gone and your hair all drip
ping. And you swore. too, and it
sounded funny because the water got
Into your mouth and made you gasp
and sputter."
Il got the lilies, though"
"Of course you did" she laughed.
''And the day we went tramping."
he said. Great Scott! Didn't it rainl
Do you remember that house on the
Cloverty road, where asked for shell
ter for you. ana they told me If I'd
take my wife-didn't you blush ST
that!-round TO the back door. the ser
wants would feed us? And we fed and
dried out there like couple of real
tramps. 1t was ripping, wasn't it?''
She was silent.
Suppose you'll have to forget all
that now he said.
81 shall always remember those
tines" she said quietly.
You won't remember them as
do. though" he said
Perhaps not" she sigheS,
Look here" he said. suddenly, 81
need sons more tea. This thing is get
ting on ms nerves"
She filed his cup and looked at him
archly.
Poor old Tommy" she said softly.
Hang him. he burst out. KS
an interioperw
"Hushg' she said You mustn't gay
that"
'%Of course not" he said. Il must
conceal the murder In my heart and
congrgtulate him"
he rose and stood with his back 10