Middletown transcript., 1905-06-03

After they had all gone, she sat on IL
bed in Jennie's room while she brushe
her hair. Jennie had only tiny pigta
that never needed brushing; it hur
down her back now like an abbreviate
Chinese cue.
"Ada, Fred is in love with you We
do believe p
rs he? Then he needn't be-ti
prig He isn't worth Jacks little fiji
ger"
Her special friend bridled.
"At least" she said stiffiy, ''he woul
have been considerate and kind p
The Brute's wife looked down at lie
lap as if it were a most interesting ma
of South America. She yawned cour
terfeit yawn.
81 guess I'll go to bed," she said, rising
"Do, dear, you must feel worn out
How worry ages one You look year
older /; but never mind, rest now, and II
send breakfast up to you in the morning.
The Brute's wife reached her room t
throw herself on the bed in passion Q
tears.
"He's a brute !" she kept whispering
III
She sat through the night wet-eyet
and seepless, till the dawn, gray ant
cold, swept over her face as she opened
the window.
"Oh," she gasped, 81 can't stay another
minute. I want to go home p
With stealthy steps she repacked hel
grip, her heart beating at every sound
She looked at her watch it was six
o'clock, and no one would be stirring fol
an hour. She wrote on the back of one
of her cards
DEAR JENNIE
Pm obliged to leave early. Thanks for
a lovely time. Come to lunch on Wed,
nesday. ADA.
Then she took up her satchel and
stepped out into the gloom of the hall,
slipping the card under Jennie's door as
she passed.
The stairway was dark, but she got
down quickly and unclaimed the front
door as if it were the gate of Paradise
which she had shut against herself. In
the vestibules opposite, white-capped
maids were busy with cloth and brush,
and the early morning air caressed her
hot forehead ard blazing cheeks like a
cool, friendly hand.
She was one Of six passengers on IL e
home bound train, all sleepy save her
self but she felt like child going back,
to receive whipping, perhaps, but to be
comforted with sugar-plums afterward.
When she reached the little UNCOVERED
station she was all smiles. She left her
satchel with the porter, and hurried up
the hill. She paused before her own
gate, an expectant light in her eyes, till
she remembered with pang that the
Riddles were not there but there was
Jack. With a sigh, she fitted her key in
the lock.
1t Vas just seven by the little gilt clock
as she looked into the parlor. The ala
baster boy seemed to throw her silent
greeting. She slipped upstairs and
pushed open her own door. Jack was
there by the window, holding in his hand
her torn note. As she came into the room
he turned, and she saw his face worn and
haggard.
ada r' was all he said, but no endear-
ment could have meant more.
She came over, and with her hands in
his told him all.
81 worried so,' he said. 'Not to find
You or the children was like finding one
self alone in graveyard. Your note
told me nothing. Cook insisted you'd
had spasms, but knew that wasn't so.
I'd bought tickets for The Thoroughbred
of course they were wasted r
She laughed Historically.
Jack, dear, you did remember, after
all p lie stared at her. "Our wedding
day, dear You didn't forget-you got
those tickets to surprise me ~
There was entreaty in her voice. He
shook his head.
81 didn't, Ada. BY George, now can
man remember he's been married for
years when he has wife who makes
time stand still ? | didn't remember.
don't think of those little things but |
do love you, Ada p
She stroked his sleeve, repentant.
at doesn't NATTER" she said, ''now y
Ada, I've been tyrannical, | guess,
about some things thought we didn't
need the world and his wife to make us
happy. I've kept you housed too much.
"No, no." she whispered. "I'm the
oEe-Ive been sillyr'
"Well," he said, perhaps we're both
to blame. Let's begin over again with
breakfast p
Jack" she said. "I'll 60 down on the
train with you, and get the Riddles.
Won't that be nice ~
He fumbled in his pocket, and with
MANS idea OF reparation drew out some
bills.
"Here," he said, stop and buy gown
or hat"
She laughed.
"a hat like Jennie's, Jack-with cher
ries p
Bother Jennie She's an old maid!
Come to breakfast"
The cook, suspiciousseyed, waited on
them at table. During one of her exits,
Ada leaned over to whisper to Jack:
''Say something nice to her Tell her
the cakes are good. She's not prize,
but it's so hard to make them stay r.
Nunsey's Magazine.
AsBURY PARK BOOKLET
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