Humour.

Southern Cross, Volume 7, Issue 34, 18 November 1899, Page 7

Humour.

WHAT A WRETCH.

He cam© bora© with a serious face. She, who was all love and smiles, saw in an instant that something was the matter. He turned his face ■when she attempted to plant the warm kiss of greeting on his lips. Her soul sank within her. It was the first time he had repulsed her. ‘ George,’ she said eagerly, ‘ tell me what it is. Has your love grown cold F Treat me frankly ; it is better to know the truth than to be kept in suspense.’ He kept his head averted a minute, his lips trembled, then he said : ‘ Oh, heavens, Forence! how can you wear that mask of deceit when X know all ?’ ‘ All what P’ ‘ Spare me the sad recital,’ he continued ; ‘ there are some things better left unsaid.’ ‘ I will not spare you ; I insist on knowing what you mean. Some perjured villain has abused your mind.’ ‘ Alas, no !’ he said. ‘ I was an eye witness of it all. I was there and saw it.’ ‘Saw what P’ she cried. ‘What have you seen ? Are you mad ?’ ‘ Calm yourself, madam. I saw y Ol1 —jou, my wife —when you did not think my eye was on you. You were in town mingling with the giddy throng. He was hurrying on, you beckoned to him, you made telegraphic signs until you attracted his attention.’ ‘ Merciful powers ! ’ she gasped. ‘ You see I know all,’ he continued ; ‘you did this in a public street, with the eyes of the passers by upon you. At first be would have gone on and disregarded you, but you were importunate. You caught his eye; you beckoned and smiled; you went down the street together.’ ‘ ’Tis false, as false can be.’ ‘ Madam, it is too true. I tell you I saw it.’ Then she sank upon the sofa. The diamond tears began to come through her fingers. Helplessness, indignation and shame were struggling together in her soul. Suddenly she looked up. ‘ Perhaps, sir, you will tell me who he was ?’ ‘ Certainly,’ replied the wretch. ‘He was the conductor of a tram car.’ —Selected.