Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 342: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ANNIS DENHAM'S SUBTERFUGE. The thought was amusing. That An- nis should be having so gay a time she could not attend to letter writing! This fine woman of the world could not real- ize what a quiet home body Annis had become. Of course she was talking lightly, for talk’s sake, but it sounded queer to him. Still another thought obtruded itself. Why was Eleanor Bray young and fresh and charming at forty five, while Annis had become a plain old woman? ‘The thought was a bit troublesome, but it never occurred to him that he might have a sharé in the blame—if there were blame anywhere. On his way to the Langham the next evening he thought over these things. Once he chanced to consider how pleas- ant it would be if Annis were going with him now to visit her old friend; but what a contrast there would be be- tween the two women! He tried to imagine his wife in the dress Mrs. Bray wore last night, and almost laughed at the idea. | “Poor Annis! She has grown old fast; she does not care for fine clothes even if she could afford them. She never goes anywhere to wear them— why?” This question was just forming itself in his mind when his thoughts were in- terrupted. He had reached his desti- nation and was soon chatting pleasantly with his hostess and her husband. “ Now tell me of Annis,” Mrs. Bray said after dinner, when they had settled for a chat in her pretty parlor. ‘“‘ Does she look as she used to in the old days when we had such lively times to- gether? I should judge so by her let- ters. I received another today, and I think she ts the same old Annis. I have not had a picture of her for years. Here is the one she gave me twenty years ago. Has she changed much?” She handed him a small photograph. | He had almost forgotten that his wife was once a young and pretty girl like that. What had wrought the change? He looked up with a forced smile as he handed back the little card. 333 ‘She has changed some,” he said; “you know we are all growing a little older, Mrs. Bray.” ‘You have not grown old, Mr. Den- ham. I think Annis has taken good care of you. You have done the same for her, I have no doubt. Judging by her letters she enjoys life as much as ever, but 1f you have not heard from home recently perhaps you would like to read these letters. Take them with you and return them at your conven- ence,” An hour later John Denham was walking the floor of his room 1n a state of perplexity. Had he been dreaming, or had he really read those two long letters signed “ Annis Denham ”? ‘“T am enjoying everything here to the utmost,” the letter ran on. “ Wash- ington is a beautiful city, the people are delightful, and you know I am fond of society as ever. Of course I wish John were here with me, but friends are very kind and I am accepting every- thing that offers itself. “I am not going to mope because John 1s away, I assure you. I am busy every moment, for I spend my fore- noons in sight seeing, while afternoons and evenings are fully taken up with receptions, theaters, the opera, etc. A reception at the White House last night! I wore white silk with diamonds and some of that rare old lace that once belonged to Aunt Emily; do you re- member? You used to say it was so becoming. I wore it about my neck, for my dress was low—I hesitated about wearing it so; I am getting old for that, you know, Eleanor, but Cousin Annie insisted, the foolish dear. She says my neck is as pretty as ever and that I must show it sometimes. It’s nonsensical of her, but I yielded. So many women older than I am think nothing of it. | “T was really vain when I looked in my glass, Eleanor, vain enough to wish I could send you a picture of myself. Last Wednesday night a reception at Senator Low’s, one of the most bril- U™N| SS CO