The Portland daily press., 1877-03-17
How She Went Sum-
mering.

Il do declare, Harry! but think you are
too cross for anything! It's downright
shame to want 10 keep me home, and you
off SO constantly. Just as if wouldn't want
summering as well as yourselfp'
Little Mrs. Merle was quite indignant, so
much so that her pretty violet eyes looked
nearly black, as they flashed across the
breakfast.table at her husband-a big, hand
some fellow, with the loveliest golden NOUS
tache and dark brown eyes; which at this
particular moment were wearing an express
sion of serene amusement, as he looked be.
tween the silver sugar-basin and cream
pitcher at the pink rose on his wife's bosom,
heaving so irregularly through her decisive
indignation that the velvety petals fairly
quivered.
Mr.. Merle calmly dipped his spoon into a
tiny pyramid of glowing currant jelly.
Really, Florence, can't for the life of me
see what you are finding fault with. Haven't
you been out to your mothers all of June?
Didn't buy you all the new dresses and fix
ings you wanted? am sure there is moth
ing to complain of-with your pony phaeton
whenever you want it, your ticket to the park
concerts, this nice cool house, the servants
and the children"
Mr.. Merle delivered his remarks in very
matter-of-fact way, as If his opinion of the
case in question settled it.
But Mrs. Merle, with little bang of her
fork as she laid it down, thought differently,
evidently, and resumed the cudgel in her own
defense quite valaDtly.
"Of course it was perfectly lovely to go
home in June, but I am sure you went as
well as /; so we are even there. AS to the
home conveniences here, Harry, that is
settled question, and not under consideration.
OF course Pve dear. delightful home, but
that's no reason Why l should want to re-
main forever in it. Besides, if New York is
for me, why not for you? Then-to think
woman never gets tired of the society of her
children, If they are such darlings as oursp'
Her eager animated face was lifted to see
the effect of her womanly argument; but the
only result as far as she could observe was an
increased serenity and Importance in Harry's
manner, patent in the cool elaboration with
which he sailed and ate his egg.
"You don't understand, my dear; that is
all. Women seldom DO, and think it hardly
necessary that ] should explain, every time /
leave town for few days, that it is rarely ex-
cept on urgent business, not to the pleasure
excursions you seem to regard them"
Florence listened attentively, halfdoubt-
full expression on her pretty face:
Business again, Harry? Only last week
you had business at Saratoga; and now
well, 1t seems singular that you are obliged
to 60 to Long Branch on the same errand,
just in the hight of the, fashionable season,
too"
A sarcastic smile began to creep around her
lip, but Mr.. Merle was perfectly equal to this
shaft of satire.
''If. as I said, women were capable of un-
Outstanding business in all its ms and outs
you would appreciate the necessity of my be-
ing at the Branch, for few days at least,
during the fashionable season, when the
wealthy Southern and Western people are
there, and an opportunity offered to secure
their custom. I'm very sure, Florence,"-
this in quite an aggrieved tone-''that it is as
much for you and the babies as for myself
that go"
Mrs. Merle stirred her chocolate slowly,
thoughtfully, then suddenly looked up.
well, whatever your errand, insist that
l might just as well 60 as not. May II"
It was a poiht-blank questionable open
attack after the skirmlsh. She asked it eng
erly, her cheeks glowing like the dainty bios
SONS of an oleander, her eyes full of coaxing
sweetness.
A charmingly pretty face, the fairest of fig
ures-and Harry knew it was so; only that
self same sweet face had sat opposite him
nearly three years, now, at table, and al
though he really loved her dearly, be was a
bit OF firt-very much lady's man-and
pining for an Earring" all by himself.
And this trip to Long Branch was just the
thing. To be sure, he really did have bust
ness with gentleman at the Ocean House
business that would require but fifteen min
utes to transact-but of course that was none
of Flo's business; and if he chose TO make
fortnight's or months affair of it he had no
one to ask. Only, somehow, his wife's direct
question floored him for one second; then he
arose In dignifed indifference from the ele.
CANT little breakfast table.
81 thought that was all arranged, Florence.
OF course you can't 60. Women are hor-
rid nuisance when fellows on business,
rushing from one hing to another, and never
daring to stop until everything's DONE"
To his surprise, Florence received his edict
reasonably.
sob well, Harry, of course if your business
will urge you so, and keep you from having
good time, why that's different. Poor boy!
don't overwork yourself, will you?"
Harry glanced at her as be took his Panama
OH the hall rack. Was she in fun? Then
sured him.
Never fear that, dear. And for being
sucn a sensible little woman, YOU shall have
the handsomest black silk in York next fall.
Pack my poftmanteau- will you, wifey-and
have It ready for the afternoon boat-five-
He kissed her, then rushed up to the MIR
sery for bye-bye' to the pretty youngsters
in their bath, and then went down town, to
arrange matters for that laborious, unenvia-
bic trip to Long Branch.
She watched him down the street, slow
smile gathering ON her lips; then turning
somewhat abruptly from the window, she
consulted the merrily ticking clock on the
mantle, then stood a moment in thoughtful
elaboration, and then fastened up stairs.
N n
A group of gentlemen were standing leis-
urely about, chatting and smoking on the
piazza OF the Ocean house, watching the
steady stream Of passing carriages, promena-
ders and welll-filled hotel stages.
"There! that's the lady spoke to you of
Michaelson, yonder, in navy blue, with the
dark veil over her face IneverIsaw such per-
feet picture in my life, and such walk.''
Mr.. Merle, indicated quite eagerly the d.
rection in which he wished his companion
to look.
"She Oil think heard sho was wi.