Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-09-10
MRS. SMITHS HONEYMOON.

her 80 years there was something girl
ish in her shrinking figure-a sugges-
ton of the incipient emotions of
youth. She descended to her state
room. At the door she found the
stewardess, who inquired if she was
Mrs L. Smith.
THAT is my name. and I am going
to be i'll"
Lie down at once. And about this
bag? / thought it would give you
more space If / put it in the gentle
mans room"
ton. But it is mine" she explained
and l want it"
The next day, she struggled up and
left her stateroom, the steWardess fol-
lowing with her wraps. At the foot of
the stairs she swayed and fell upon
the lowest step. TITS no use,'' she
said, plaintively. Il can't go up
can't, indeed"
The stewardess spoke with profess
sional encouragement. "Oh, you're all
right" she demonstrated. Here's the
gentleman now, he'll help you"
Someone lifted her, and in mo-
ment she was on deck and in her
chair.
Perhaps you would like yesterdays
paper?" said voice.
The man in the next chair leaned
toward her, holding a paper in his
hand.
II am ill.," she answered.
He did not reply, and in a moment
his glance wandered to the card upon
her chair. odd, isn't it," he ques-
toned
She followed his gaze and colored
family. The card read, Mrs L.
Smith" Then he pointed to a similar
label upon his own chair, bearing in a
rough scrawl the name IL. Smith,
&c,
marked absently.
He laughed Very" he admitted.
Perhaps your husband is Lawrence
Smith also"
The smile passed from her lips.
My husband is dead" she an
swered, but his name was Lucien."
For time they sat silent Then. as
the luncheon gong sounded he rose.
You will have chicken BROTH" he
said distinctly.
A little later the broth was brought
That evening they lay side by side
in their steamer chairs. He was gaz-
ing out to sea, where the water broke
into waves of deepening gray. Sud
denly he spoke, his voice ringing like
a Earring discord in a harmonious
whole.
Five days ago a man called me
devil" he said, and ] guess he
wasn't far wrong, only if L was a
single devil he was legion stepped in
one. What scoundrel he was!"
The passion in his tones caused her
to start quickly. The words Were shot
out with the force of balls from a can
non. Don't" she said pleadingly.
Don't what?" he demanded rough
ly. Don't curse the blacklist scoun-
drel that ever lived-and died ?''
Don't curse anybody" she an
swered. 1T is not like you"
1T had much rIca for. ha1;af
he returned. 1T is a poor sort of
thing"
She met his bitter gaze with one of
level calm. And yet men have suf-
fered death for it,
Well. believe in me if you choose"
he said.
How about your faith?" he in
quired one day after passing tender
ness. rs 1t still the evidence of vir-
tues not visible in me?
She fiinched, as she always did at
his fiippancy. That is not kind of
you" she said.
But, my dear lady, / am not kind"
Her mouth quivered
DO you mean to say" he asked ad-
justing the rug about her shoulders
that it makes any difference to you?'
The fragment of a sob broke from
her, "Of course it makes a differ
ence," she answered.
upon her shoulder trembled. Il hope
it does not make a difference" he
said. Look! There is a sail!'
They rose and went to the railing
following with straining eyes a white
sail that skirted the horizon.
He leaned nearer. His hand brushed
hers as it lay upon the railing.
Did love make you happy ,"
She raised her lashes. Love-"
That husband of yours" he ex-
planned almost harshly, did you love
him?"
He was very good to me-" she re-
piled. Then she hesitated., But l did
not love him in the way you mean. |
| know now that / did not"
He bent toward her swiftly, then
checked himself with sneering
| laugh. I'm give you a piece
| of valuable advice" he said. Don't
| allow yourself to grow sentimental 1t
| is awful rot
And he threw himself into his chair
| He drew notebook from his pocket
| and when she seated herself he did
| not look up.
An hour later their glances met.
| when you love, love a virtuous
| straightway plodder,' he said Love
| a man because he is decent-hecause
| he is decent and plain and all the
things that the romancers laugh at.
| If you ever find yourself loving man
like me, you had better make for the
| nearest lamp post and-and-hang-'
! "Hush!" she cried. her cheeks fam
| ing. How dare you?"
Her voice broke sharply. and she
| fell to sobbing behind her raised
| hands.
| My God!" he said softly She felt
| his breath upon her forehead and a
! tremor passed over her Then his
hands fastened upon hers and drew
| them from her eyes. Then she felt the
mans lips close upon her own.
| He drew away from her. You are
| too delicate for my rough hands," he
said.
Am II" Then a rising passion
swelled in her voice. Il should choose
to be broken by you to being caressed
| by any other man"
Don't say that" he protested
| hoarsely
Why not, since it is true? ?"
There is time yet" he said. ''to
withdraw false play. Take your love
back"
Il cannot" she replied
He stretched out his arms as if 10
draw her toward him. Then he shrank
back. What mess you are making