Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-12-13

him into the depths of gloom. He had
hurried home with tickets for the
opera, meaning to give Juliet her
semi-annual outing, by way of squar-
ing accounts with his conscience. And
when he found her gone a quick feel
ing of resentment began to manifest
itself in the duh flush that rose to his
cheeks the ugly flash of his eyes and
the tight. thin lips
Maynard forgot to remember at this
juncture that his evenings at home
were few and far between, his atten-
tions to his wife fewer and farther
and that both had gradually acquired
the custom of finding their own sep
arate pleasures, or diversions.
For some time he stood with his
elbow on the mantel shelf, staring at
the floor with angry, intent eyes.
Presently he drew forth the tickets
and contemplated them grimly for an
instant; then his face changed, bright
ened, and a ripple of silent laughter
passed over it.
He changed his dress hurriedly,
called a cab, and inside half an hour
was bowling rapidly over the gleam-
ing asphalt.
Mrs. Chisholm was at home, yes,
and would be delighted to accompany
him to tho opera, despite tho infoI-
mality.
After tbs performance Maynard re
turned home moodier than ever. In
the note his wife had left him Juliet
had mentioned supper at Sherry's;
she would probably not arrive for an
hour yet. He settled himself as de-
jectedly-and as comfortably-as pos
sible before the fireplace to await her
return.
Soon there was a swift rush, then
the sudden cessation of wheels; the
gate clicked as the car chugged off,
and Mrs. Maynard came lightly into
the room, the swish of her long,
graceful evening gown making subtle
music about her. A charming pink
was in her cheeks; her eyes sparkled
from the keen, frosty air and her hair
cleaned exquisitely golden high
above the black ruff that encircled her
neck
Maynard stared at her critically for
moment as she came up to where
he sat and began drawing off her long
black gloves. She was a decidedly
pretty woman; no one could fail to OBJ
serve that She glanced at her hus-
band, pleased-enquiring it had been
long time since he had sat up for
ber-since he had been home to sit
up for her.
1T was glorious!" she said, break
4ng the silence. You ought to have
been there, Eugene" She remem-
bercd his quondam penchant for grand
opera and wondere if the cares of
business had completely absorbed all
t,le old tastes
Maynard shrugged.
Perhaps it was your fault that
vas not" he replied.
Juliet questioned him with a little
startled glance. MY fault?" she re.
peated, puzzled.
Il rushed through my work and hur-
ried home to take you and-well, you
see how it was" He spoke in hurt
voice, gazing past her grimly.
"Oh, Gene!"
There was a brief, almost painful
pause. Then:
"Why, If you'd only told mel" Her
tone betrayed genuine regret, but her
eyes shone joyfully. 1t was the first
time in many months that he had
given her any outward thought!
Morpor5 hacitatad IraW 1ppo
breath-and plunged
Whats the use of trying to keep
up the farce" he said, sharply. I've
known all along that you'd lost inter
est in me-"
Mrs. Maynard threw off her ruff
and stood staring at him in wordless
surprise. Then she laughed, bit hys-
terically and sat down beside him.
You silly boy" she said, tremu.
lously, what travesty!"
oh" he returned, disagreeably
''you think so, do you? Well, 1 must
say that women are impossible crea.
tures-that is ALL"
"Eugene!" she broke out, swift
flush of Indignation coloring her
cHeehS, you are Cruelty UNJUST. you
know you have no right to talk in this
way to mel"
Maynard moved restlessly. Some.
thing in her voice made him vince
but he replied calmly:
"Oh, it's all right, l suppose. A man
is fool, probably, to expect his wife
to stay at home waiting for him when
there are so many more agreeable
things in the world; he has no right.
perhaps"
Mrs. Maynard was silent, her eyes
filling with quick tears under the
sting of his sarcasm. But after a
while she softened and a new light
flashed over her face.
Dear" she said, wistfully, 'I'm
sorry. | wouldn't wound you for the
world. You know that, do you not?
] would wait for you for always, in