The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-06-25

WHOLE NO. 495
handkerchiefs are, Mrs. Darcy
he fumcd. "Such . state as my
bureau is in is enough to drive
man crazy - g., ,
Its enough TO drive . woman
crazy, I think, 4" said Evelyn hope
lessly, stopping to pick up few o.
the scattered articles. "You were
at the bureau last, Luke. II il
your own fault -
"My fault'-of course it's my
fault !" snarled Luke. giving Mrs.
Darcy's poodle kick that sent it
bowling to its mistress. "Any
thing but womsn's retorting and
terminating tongue. Mrs. Darcy,
I won't endure it any longer ~
Neither will J." said Evelyn,
resolutely advancing, as her hus
band plunged into tho closet 70,
his business coat, and promptly
shutting and locking tho door. II
think l have endured it quite long
enough-and here is an end Of it !"
Mrs. Darcy, open the door -
said Luke, scarscely able to credit
the evidence Of his own senses
II shall do no such thing" said
Mrs. Darcy, composedly beginning
to rearrange shirts. stockings, and
flannel wrappers in their appropri'
ate receptacles.
"Mrs. Darcy" roared Luke, al
fever heat of impotent rage,
"wbat on earth do you mean -
" l mean to keep you in thai
clothes-press, Mr.. Darcy, until 20,
have made up your mind to com,
out in q more amiable frame O
mind. If the system succeeds will
Freddy, it certainly ought to will
you; and l am sure your temper il
much more intolerable than bis"
There was a dead silence of full
sixty seconds in the closet, then ,
sudden burst of vocal wrath.
Mrs. Darcy! open the doc
this instant, madam I"
But Evelyn went on humming ,
saucy little opera air, and arrang
ing her cloths.
"Do you hear me ?"
| !" Yes, I hear you
"Will you obey me :"
| "Not until you 'have solemnl,
promised me to put some sort 0
control on that temper Of yours
not until you pledge yourself here
after to treat your wife as . lad,
should be treated, not % menial.
II won't !" w..
"No /! Then in that case I hop
you don't find the atmosphere at al
oppressive there. I think it proba
ble you will remain there SOM
time !"
Another sixty seconds Of dead 81
lence. Then . sudden rain of heel
and hands against the woode'
panels. ....
LET me out. l say, Mrs. Darcy
Madam bow dare you pcrpetrat'
this monstrous piece Of audacity 2
my dear Luke, how strongl,
you do remind me Of Freddy 70,
see there is nothing l have 50 littl,
tolerance for ss . bad temper. 1
ought to have been checked lonl
ago, only you know I'm 80 ridicu
lously indulgent."
Mr.. Darcy WINGED . little at tn
familiar sound of his own words.
Tap, tap, tap, came softly to tn,
door. Mrs. Darcy composedly
opened it, and saw her husband,
little of6ce-boy.
Please, mem, there's som.
gentlemen at the Office in . gres,
hurry to see Mr.. Darcy. It's about
the Applegate will case."
Mrs. Darcy hesitated and instant:
there was . triumphant rustle in
the closet, and her determination
was taken.
Tell the gentleman that you,
master has . bad headache, ani
won't be down town this morning.
Luke gnashed his teeth audibly
as soon Is the closing Of the dool
admonished him that he might d.
40 with safety.
Mrs. Darcy. do you presume t,
interfere with the transaction of bu
siness that is vitality important.
ma am, vitality important p
Mrs. Darcy nonchalantly took u
the little opera air where she hae
left it.. letting the soft Italian word
ripple musically off her tongue.
"Evelyn. dear !"
What is it Luke :" she aske,
mildly.
I: :Please let me out. My dea
this may be . joke to you, but"
+" l as sure you. Luke, it's moth
ing of the kind F.; its the sobercs
Of serious matters to me. It is |
question as to whether my futur,
life shall be miserable or happy"
There was third brief interva
Of silence.
Evelyn, said Luke presently
in subdued voice, " will you ope'
this door -
ION one condition only"
"And what is that 7"
"Ah | ah!" thought the littl'
lieutenant general, "he's begin
ming to entertain terms Of capitula
tion, is he p "On conditions.
she added aloud, that you vii
break yourself Of the habit Of speak
ing sharply and GROSSLY to me ant
OF ell occasions keep your temper.
MY temper, indeed, " sputterc'
Luke.