The Mayors Wife | Page 2

under a cloud just at
present,--a very heavy cloud which both irked and perplexed him.
Pausing in the middle of the room, he surveyed me closely for an
instant before speaking. Did I impress him as favorably as he did me? I
soon had reason to think so, for the nervous trembling of his hands
ceased after the first moment or two of silent scrutiny, and I was sure I
caught the note of hope in his voice as he courteously remarked:
"You are seeking a place, young lady. Do you think you can fill the one
I have to offer? It has its difficulties, but it is not an onerous one. It is
that of companion to my wife."
I bowed; possibly I smiled. I do smile sometimes when a ray of real
sunshine darts across my pathway.
"I should be very glad to try such a situation," I replied.
A look of relief, so vivid that it startled me, altered at once the whole
character of his countenance; and perceiving how intense was the
power and fascination underlying his quiet exterior, I asked myself who
and what this man was; no ordinary personage, I was sure, but who?
Had Miss Davies purposely withheld his name? I began to think so.
"I have had some experience," I was proceeding--
But he waved this consideration aside, with a change back to his former

gloomy aspect, and a careful glance at the door which did not escape
me.
"It is not experience which is so much needed as discretion."
Again that word.
"The case is not a common one, or, rather,"--he caught himself up
quickly, "the circumstances are not. My wife is well, but--she is not
happy. She is very unhappy, deeply, unaccountably so, and I do not
know why."
Anxious to watch the effect of these words, he paused a moment, then
added fervently:
"Would to God I did! It would make a new man of me."
The meaning, the deep meaning in his tone, if not in the adjuration
itself, was undeniable; but my old habit of self-control stood me in
good stead and I remained silent and watchful, weighing every look
and word.
"A week ago she was the lightest hearted woman in town,--the happiest
wife, the merriest mother. To-day she is a mere wreck of her former
self, pallid, drawn, almost speechless, yet she is not ill. She will not
acknowledge to an ache or a pain; will not even admit that any change
has taken place in her. But you have only to see her. And I am as
ignorant of the cause of it all--as you are!" he burst out.
Still I remained silent, waiting, watchful.
"I have talked with her physician. He says there is something serious
the matter with her, but he can not help her, as it is not in any respect
physical, and advises me to find out what is on her mind. As if that had
not been my first care! I have also consulted her most intimate friends
all who know her well, but they can give me no clue to her distress.
They see the difference in her, but can not tell the cause. And I am
obliged to go away and leave her in this state. For two weeks, three

weeks now, my movements will be very uncertain. I am at the beck and
call of the State Committee. At any other time I would try change of
scene, but she will neither consent to leave home without me nor to
interrupt my plans in order that I may accompany her."
"Miss Davies has not told me your name," I made bold to interpolate.
He stared, shook himself together, and quietly, remarked:
"I am Henry Packard."
The city's mayor! and not only that, the running candidate for governor.
I knew him well by name, even if I did not know, or rather had not
recognized his face.
"I beg pardon," I somewhat tremulously began, but he waved the
coming apology aside as easily, as he had my first attempt at
ingratiation. In fact, he appeared to be impatient of every unnecessary
word. This I could, in a dim sort of way, understand. He was at the
crisis of his fate, and so was his party. For several years a struggle had
gone on between the two nearly matched elements in this western city,
which, so far, had resulted in securing him two terms of
office--possibly because his character appealed to men of all grades and
varying convictions. But the opposite party was strong in the state, and
the question whether he could carry his ticket against such odds, and
thus give hope to his party in the coming presidential election, was one
yet to be tested. Forceful as a