The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-01-05
A SEALED LETTER.
Bx Charles Eolerre.
.~(CopNright, 1861, by W.

u ~ I W. ~
III his cozy salon Paul Dartel was
sitting reclining in an easy chair, en-
joying his after dinner cigar. which
his Wife as a are had allowed
him to smoke outside his den, While
she YVES lying !ialf=E!aaea ss:ienss Inc
pillows of a luxurious diYan.
A servant entered With letter on a
silver salver. 1t was addressed TO
Nine. Dartel, but in q fit of jealousy
monsieur puts out his hand to take
It from the servant, though not quickly
enough to prevent his wife from get
ting it first. She looked at it for a
moment, noticed the name of the
sender in the upper left hand corner
and With a smile handed it to her nus
band.
Surprised and somewhat ashamed,
he looked at it and then laid it aside
without opening it.
so your jealousy has entirely dis
appeared" exclaimed Nine. Dartel with
a smile. Why don't you open it and
find out what is inside?'
II. have already seen enough. 1t is
only another bill. l do not wear any
jewelry. SO it does not concern me.
You can pay for it out of your pin
money.
NINE. DSTtel shrugged ISl pLSAtS
shoulders and puckered up her lips in
the most charming manner.
Even il l save as much as I possibly
car, I cannot do it-oh, Paul, my own
dear little Paul, won't you just pay it
this one timer
81 would not dream OF doing such a
thing. I pay my own personal bills
and as you have a monthly allowance,
| which l consider very generous ac-
cording to our means, there is no
earthly reason why you should not pay
yours"
The tone of his voice hurt her very
much, and she turned away to hide
the tears which glistened in her eyes.
We'll. how big is this new bill? Was
it really necessary for you to buy any
thing more from NJ. Montana"
Touched by his awakening interest,
Nine. Dartel replied:
Really, Paul. / have such an awful
poor memory. Why don't you ope
The letter? Then you will know"
Yes, and if l do, o will tell me
that have been indiscreet and that ]
will nave to pay it as a punishment
well. l don't care if the letter is
never opened"
bursts out: You are a wicked brute
Of a husband who does not deserve
such q faithful wife as I am. There
are many others who would soon find
q friend who would be pleased to pay
the bills one husband is too mean tc
pay"
Very pretty thoughts for a faithful
Wife,"
Well, what do I care? Don't yor
really think 1 could find somebody who
would. pay it for me?'
And who, ma l ask 2"
oh, l know at least one, ten
twenty.''
always better than if there were
only one
Have no fear. 1 will let you pay it
and it you do not treat me right l vii
just brow none away"
You had better be careful. Even IN.
patience might give out"
Had We maybe better part 2"
o get q divorce?"
"All right, let us get a divorce
This time the silence lasted quite
long time. 1t was painful to both
Both looked disgustedly at the mis-
rable letter which was the cause of /
all. At last Nine. Dartel said:
Il think I may open it now. I viii
pay it for you"
mo, since it is to be the last bill
Lwill pay it for YOU"
Again they begin to dispute and a
last agree that each is to pay hal
She hands him the letter. He open
it and laughs.
We'll, how much is it?" she ask.
breathing easier.
DO not aSk?"
Nothing at all"
Nothing at all. Montana write
that there was a clerical error in til
last bill and that he owes us fly
francs
Nine. Dartel bursts out laughing.
Wasn't it too stupid not TO open I'll
letter right away! Now I am sure W
are sorry you behaved so disgracefull
a to me-
Whose fault was it? Why did We
not tell me that you had not bougi
any mOre?"
: Because when you talk to me {
a you did l forget everything"
We'll, l propose that we spend II
q five francs right now. Two francs ar
+ a half belong to me. l pay the ca,
i riage."
y She smiles. She is irresistible whe
q she smiles.
and I pay the theater and the SUI
perl" He kisses her fondly. She do
not try to push away, hut nestl
closer into his arms.
: You spendtl1rift! You scold n
when I spend a little money and you
- Il scold only whispers Paul into Il
. ear. when you do not spend it t
gether witt me-"
acknowledgements.
E