SHE CONFESSED ALL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 7, 18 February 1893, Page 168

SHE CONFESSED ALL.

He looked troubled as he took his accustomed seat in the parlour, and finally he blurted out : ‘ Maude, have you deceived me ?’ ‘I ?’ she exclaimed. *I ! Reginald, how can you even think of such a thing ?’ ‘ No, no,’ be said. ‘lt cannot be true. And yet—and yet—Maude, do you remember that man who sat just ahead of us at the theatre last night ?’ She gave a barely perceptible start as she asked : ‘ That dapper little fellow with a waxed moustache ?’ ‘Yes,’he replied, gravely. * I heard him talking familiarly of you between the acts.’ ‘Of me ?’ She was nervous ; even he could not help noticing that. . ‘Of you ?’ he reiterated. ‘He said you had one of the smallest waists in the city. ’ ‘ He dared ?’ *He did. He said it had changed an eighteenth of an inch in eighteen months. When he last put his arm around it it was the same perfect ’ ‘ Did — did you strike him, Reginald ?’ she asked, anxiously. * No, he replied. ‘ Why should I make a scene, and drag your name into ’ ‘ Thank heaven for that,’ she exclaimed gratefully. ‘ Maude ! Maude 1’ he cried wildly, ‘ he is something to you !’ ‘ Nothing, I swear it !’ replied the beautiful girl. ‘ But his words 1 his words ? Are they true ?’ ‘ Alas, Reginald, they are.’ * His arm has been around that waist ?’ ‘ Within the week,’ she admitted reluctantly. ‘ But hear me, Reginald ’ ‘ Unhappy woman !’ he cried, as he rose to leave. ‘ Thus do I ’ >, * Hear me 1 hear me 1* she pleaded. • I swear ’ He stopped in the doorway. ‘ I will near you,’ he said with determination. * I will hear his name. Give it me that I may ask him out. Who is he!* * My habit-maker,’ remarked the beautiful girl, blushing. *He is making a travelling dress for our wedding tour now.’