The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-08-30
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Mrs. James Taylor had been crying
for the last half hour, and, like the lady
in the play, seemed determined to ''weep
q little longer" Yes, the very minute
her lord and master, with hat in hand,
had closed the street door, did the tears
begin to fall. Countless, innumerable,
not to be mentioned, were the bright
drops-and nobody knows how long
they would have lasted, lad not voices
on the piazza, and a summons at the
bell, dispatched Maggie, the maid, to-
the door and Mrs. Taylor's cambria hand
kerchief to her eyes. In five minutes
more those eyeswere as clear and bright,
the voice as gay, the laugh as musical,
as if there were no such things as grief
or care in the world, or, if 80, little
merry Mrs. James Taylor cast them to
the winds and defied them.
And what had she, the newly married
lady, the three months bride, been cry
ing about? Why, really, it was too ri
diculous to tell and she had pouted
and smiled, and smiled and pouted, for
Some time before she had actually made
up her mind to weep ; but she had a dis
tressing suspicion that her husband Che
was q very good husband, there was no
denying that did not love her.
Now, all the time that she was ingen.
iously tormenting herself, racked to the
very soul with distrust and mortifica-
ton, the object of her misery, James
Taylor, was racing to his Office as if he
had on seven leagued boots, wishing the
client away who was to detain him that
evening from his jewel at home, his pre-
cious little wife. Love her! Why, he
adored her. The very sky and air had
changed since this prettiest, dearest,
most bewitching of women had blessed
his home.
Not love her {! Why, the very kitten
on the hearth knew better. What if he
had never told her so; it was entirely q
piece of supererogation; it would have
been like saying that skies were blue and
flowers we're fair. And yet silly Mrs.
Taylor, for the lack of something better
to DO, had actually persuaded and wept
herself into this idea.
With her visitors herlachrymose mood
vanished, and after their departure she
sat absolutely continuing ways and
means to annoy this good-for-nothing
husband Of hers, until he was forced to
display some kind of emotion-rage, if
he would not love her. Nerved by the
blissful thought, she closed doors and
windows, for he would not be home till
past one, and laid her head on her pill
low, with O rich flush on her cheek, and
the brightest of smiles aroundher lovely
mouth.
Little did Mr.. James Taylor think, as
he bestowed fond, admiring glance OH
the sweet face, what havoc and destruc-
ton the willy lady had been plotting
against his peace. There is nothing
like a trife to overturn ones philosophy
so argued Mrs. T~aylor-one can sum
mon quantities of resolution for great
events, but little, everyday annoyances
who can endure with stoicism She
was determined to change her husband;
perhaps he would absolutely scold her.
What O triumph | Mr.. Taylor, the
evening before, had requested his
precious wife to have breakfast precisely
at seven, for the same business which
took him out then would occupy him
the next morning; he must positively
be at his Office athalf-past seven o'clock.
But Mrs. Taylor gave no directions OF
the kind, consequently seven, quarter
past. half-past had arrived and no sign
or token of tho meal. Mr.. Taylor did
not pretend 10 interfere with the SER
wants, so he went out in the garden in
search of his wife. She was among the
roses, looking as blooming, innocent and
unconscious as possible.
(. "Fanny," said Mr.. Taylor, in the
mildest of tones, "breakfast is not
ready, and I am in a great hurry to go.
You forgot to speak Of it last night,
didn't you2"
"You cannot certainly expect mo to
remember everything, James," returned
his wife, with q most Indignantly remon-
strating expression. II did not say a
word about it,"
Mr.. James Taylor did not mako the
smallest reply to this amiable remark
from his little bride, but turned a"d
went in the house. A full quarter of al
hour elapsed before Mr.. Taylor was
summoned to table, and she loitered zen
minutes longer by way Of teasing him
to the uttermost, then making h.. ap-
pearance, thinking it quite possible that
she might find her spouse with g whip
in his hand, or at all events dispatching
his meal alone.
But he sat quietly reading the paper,
as if there were nc such things as impa-
tent clients or procrastinated engage
ments in the world. Fanny bit her lips
with vexation, and proceeded to pour
out his coffee. If he had only been
sulky it would have been something
gained, and she tormented him with
questions in hopes of discovering this;
but he answered her as pleasantly as
usual, and at length, pe~titioning to be
excused, he bid her good morning in
the blandest Of tones.
Mrs. Taylor felt quite happy when he
departed, who can doubt it? She had
been making herself exceedingly disa-
greeable, and all to no purpose. Giant
heart never won," thought she, at
length; "Ill try it again."
"Fanny, did you send John for my
coat yesterday asked Mr.. Taylor, one
Sunday morning.
"Wha coat2" replied she, by way OF
gaining time.