The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1906-12-22

sudden and rather self-surprising con
cluslon that his wife had ceased tt
/ care for him seemed to have flung
him into the depths Of gloom. He had
hurried home with tickets for the
opera, meaning to give Juliet hel
seml-annual outing, by way Of squar
ing accounts with his conscience. AND
when he found her gone quick feel
ing Of resentment began to manifest
itself IN the dull flush that rose to his
cheeks the ugly flash Of his eyes and
the tight. thin lips.
For some time he stood with his
/ elbow on the mante1 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 the opera, despite the infor-
| nality.
After the 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-
jectedIy-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 OF,
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.
It was glorious!" she said, break
ing the silence. You ought to have
been there, Eugene" She remem-
bered his Quendam penchant for grand
opera and wondered if the cares of
business had completely absorbed all
the old tastes.
Perhaps it was your fault that I
was not he replied.
Juliet questioned. him with a little
startled glance My fau1t?' she re-
peated, puzzled.
7 rushed through my work and hur-
RED home to take you and-wel1. you
see how it was He spoke in a hurt
voice, gazing past her grimly.
There was brief, almost painful
pause. Then:
why, if you'd only told mel" Her
tone betrayed genuine regret, but her
eyes shone joyfully. It was the first
time in many months that he had
given her any outward thought!
Maynard hesitated, drew long
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, a bit hys-
terically. and sat down beside him.
"You silly boy" she said, tremu-
1ously, what travesty!'
oh he returned, disagreeably, |
ttyou think SO, do you? Well, il must
say that women are impossible crea-
tures-that is all.
"Eugene!" she broke out, swift
flush of indignation coloring her
cheeks, you are cruelty unjust. You
know you have no right to talk ii this
way to mel"
Maynard moved restlessly. Some
thing in her voice made him vince.
but he replied calmly:
.'Oh, it's all right, 4 suppose. A man
Is a fool, probably, to expect his wife
TO stay at home waiting for him when T
there are so many more agreeable I
things in the world; he has no right. I
perhaps
Mrs. Maynard was silent, her eyes
alIing with quick tears under the |
sting Of his sarcasm. But after
while she softened and new light
dashed over her face.
Dear" she said, wistfully, TIN
sorry, / wouldn't wound you for the
world. You know that, do you not?
would wait for you for always, in5ii
preference to anything or anybody On
sarth-if you would but give me the
shance, If you would but let me do
his! You believe me, Gene?''
She laid one of her white hands on
lis arm and he noticed that it was
Femb1ing.
1T isn't often that I have an eve
hing off, he said.
No: / suppose you do not. Why.
IS been almost year since you took
ne out last"
Maynard regarded her thoughtfully
second.
But you 49, haven't cared 80 have
'ou? he asked tentatively.
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