The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-06-12

"Only this morning." said Evelyn, che
punished Freddy with unrelenting severity
for fit of ill-humor which he himself has
duplicated within the last half hour. l
am not moralist, but it strikes me that
the fault is rather more to be censured in
full-grown, reasoning man than in a
child
Evelyn" said Clara gravely, "do you
suppose he is beyond the power of cure -
81 hope not; but what, can do? Shut
him up, as he shut little Freddy9''
"Evelyn's merry, irresistible laugh was
checked by the arch, peculiar expression in
Clara's blue eyes.
''The remedy needs to be something
short and sharp" said Clara, "and the
dark closet system combines both requi-
sites. Tears and Mysteries were played out
long ago in matrimonial skirmishes, you
know, Evy."
"Nonsenser' laughed Mrs. Darcy, ris-
ing from the breakfast-table in obedience
to her husbands peremtory summons from
above stairs, while Clara shrugged her
shoulders, and went to look for her work
basket.
Luke was standing in front of his bureau
drawer, tlinging Shirts collars, cravats, and
stockings recklessly upon the bedroom
floor.
I'D like to know where my silk hand
kerchiefs are, Mrs. Darcy" he fumed.-
Such a state as my bureau is in is enough
to drive man crazy
''It's enough to drive woman crazy, 1
think" said Evelyn hopelessly, STOPPING to
pick up few of the scattered articles
g Y GU were at the bureau last, Luke. 1t is
your own fault-'
My fault-of course it's my faultr'-
snarled Luke, giving Mrs. Darcy's poodle
a kick that sent it bowling to its mistress.
Anything but a woman's retorting and
recriminating tongue. Mrs. Darcy, won't
endure it any longern'
'Neither will |, - said Evelyn, resolutely
advancing, as her husband plunged into
the closet for his business coat, and
promptly shutting and locking the door,
g l think l have endured it quite long
enough-and here is an end ofit!'
" Mrs. Darcy, open the door, said Luke,
scarcely able to credit the evidence of his
own senses.
81 shall do no such thing said Mrs
Darcy, composedly beginning to rearrange
shirts, stockings, and flannel wrappers in
their appropriate receptacles.
Mrs. Darcy" roared Luke, at fever
heat of impotent rage, what on earth do
you mean?''
60 l mean to keep you in that clothes
press, Mr.. Darcy, until you have made up
your mind to come out in a more amiable
frame of mind. If the system succeeds
with Freddy, it certainly ought to with you;
and | am sure your temper is much more
intolerable than his
There was a dead silence of full sixty
seconds in the closet, then sudden burst
of vocal wrath.
"Mrs. Darcy! open the door this instant,
madam -
But Evelyn went on humming saucy
little opera air, and arranging her clothes.
'.Do you hear me?''
Eyes, hear YOU
CIVIL you obey me?''
g Not until you have solemnly promised
me to put some sort of control on that
temper of yours; not until you pledge your
self hereafter to treat your wife as a lady
should be treated, not as menial''
Il won't!'
g No! Then in that case l hope you
don't find the atmosphere at all oppressive
there. l think it probable you will remain
there some timer'
Another sixty seconds of dead silence
Then a sudden rain of heels and hands
against the wooden panels.
LET me out, I say, Mrs. Darcy! Madam
how dare you perpetrate this monstrous
piece of audacity?"
"My dear Luke, how strongly you do
remind me of Freddy! You see there is
nothing have so little tolerance for as
bad temper. 1t ought to have been check
ed long ago, only you know I'm ridiculous
ly indulgent.''
Mr.. Darcy WINGED a little at the familiar
sound of his own words.
Tap, tap, tap, came softly to the door,
Mrs Darcy composedly opened it, and saw
her husbands little Office boy.
/" Please, mem, there's some gentlemen
at the office in a great hurry to see Mr..
Darcy. It's about the Applegate will
case"
Mrs. Darcy hesitated an instant, there
was triumphant rustic in the closet, and
her determination was taken.
:" Tell the gentlemen that your master
has had bad headache and won't be down
town this morning.
Luke CRASHED his teeth audibly, as soon
as the closing of the door admonished him
that he might do so with safety.
Mrs. Darcy, do you presume to inter
fere with the transaction of business that
is vitality important, ma'am, vitality impor-
tant ."
Mrs. Darcy nonchalantly took up the
little opera air where she had left it, letting
the soft Italian words ripple unsteady off
her tongue.
Evelyn, dear"'