Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-07-09
Wife"
ny G. K. NIohoner.

Inc waiter IN one OF the cares Was
about to seat me at table in one
corner of the room where could be
quite alone when delicately modu-
lated cough from another table just
to my right brought my eyes quickly
to attention. There was absolutely no
reason to suppose that the faultlessly
attired young woman would have been
guilty of purposely coughing to attract
my attention.
/ was about to accept in confusion
the chair that the waiter had been
proffering me during the whole of that
embarrassed moment, when once more
that modulated chaste cough came to
my ears. Looking up again in an ex-
element that was feverish in its in
tensity I saw smile on the lips of
the girl 1t was like the blooming of
the first violet or the kiss of the first
ray Of summers dawn. From the
aloofness and impossibility OF a stran-
ger they had blossomed into the smile
of acquaintanceship
you do not remember me?"
The voice was like the memory of a
dream--a bachelors dream. | re-
manned in mute attention and mystery.
ooh, WELL" she went on, with sigh
that expressed just the shade of an
noyance, you men are all alike. Don't
you think, honestly, now, that If sou
had wanted to remember me-"
She paused suggestively. 1t gave me
an opportunity to prove that | was
not mummy-to do something, to
say something. moved closer to her
table.
mo, oh, mol" l protested. You
that Is, of course"
Probably | should have gone on in
definitely, but she interrupted me mer-
cifully:
please don't speak of it. I'm not
in the least offended. Won't you sit
down? It's good to see you. had
no idea you were in town this month"
sat down dazedly, and then glanced
up again. The eyes were looking be-
yond me toward the entrance of the
cafe. l had an inclination to follow
their gaze, but did not. 1t was bet
ter to look at the eyes, / thought.
Suddenly she gave little tremulous
cry and her pupils widened with ter
ror. l could hear a slight commotion
behind me. Two well-groomed police
men paused confidently at our table.
well, we've got you this time"
The remark was addressed insolent'
ly to my companion. | glanced in be
wilderment at milady's eyes. In them
there was full measure of scorn and
contemplation the policemen-but no
explanation. But as l looked they
turned again to me-and after that ]
would have fought regiment OF in
fantry.
Seeing the air of proprietorship that
! suddenly assumed the man who had
spoken turned to me with a glance OF
softened authority.
"This young woman" he explained,
lis wanted for liftin' ring at Vein
bergs."
l struggled to my feet and clutched
the table.
'It is impossible-that is, there
must be some mistake" / floundered,
and then appealed to milady's eyes
In them there was an answering ques.
ton and look Of challenge. With the
dignity of a queen the outraged eyes
blazing with insulted responsibility,
she rose to her full height.
my husband" she flashed with a
peculiar emphasis, and there was not
even a quivering of an eyelid as she
said it, will discuss this matter with
you alone. / cannot stay here to be
insulted," and she swept like a
duchess into the ladies' waiting room
WE'LL the policemen were just as
much impressed as | was. All three
Of us were silent for the fraction of a
minute, and then mechanically j
pulled out my card case. The name
was not unfamiliar to the policeman,
and he bowed his acknowledgment
Mistakes" he said, alphabetically
"are sometimes unavoidable But
there was a peculiar look in his eyes
as he turned to go.
My head whirled with the impossi
bility of the situation, and / CROPPED
blindly toward the door Of the ladies
waiting room to rejoin-my wife!
At the door the mystery faded. The
room was empty. The door Of an out
side entrance to the room was ajar
and a breeze from without stirred a
slip of paper on one of the little
wicker tables.
1t was the bill for milady's luncheon.