, 1880-04-19

"that as soon as you get to the hOrrld
place that you're going to, you'll be
making love to some other woman"
Not l." said Mr. Paradox, quite an
moved by his spouse's taunts. " I've
had a uite enough of that sort of thing,
thank you."
Here's the lawyer, coming to draw
up the papers," said Mrs. Paradox.
looking out from between the rose-co.-
ored damask curtains, "and I'm glad of
it."
$50 am T." said Mr.. Paradox, with
finty hearted callousness. -.. .. ...
You're bruteT' cried the wife.
$50 you have often remarked be-
FORE" said the husband, biting off the
end of a cigar.
"That's no reason you should insult
me by smoking in my presence.
- Do not be afraid, madam-you have
already taken quite sufficient spportu-
nifty to inform me of your aversion to
my habits" ..
Aud only the entrance of the lawyer
sufficed to arrest impending hostillties.
1t was quite true.
Mr.. and Mrs. Paradox, after union
of three years, had agreed that they
couldn't agree, and were to sign legal
separation.
1t was altogether the best thing-in
fact, the only one. they mutually de-
cided. ,.......
1t had been scold, scold, carp. carp,
fret, fret, ever since they had walked
out of the church porch.
Domestic peace had long ago folded
her wings and hoated out OF the win
dow; love and tender sympathy had
shrunk, startled, away.
And at tho end of these three years
friends had been called in council, a
solemn session of relatives had been
held, and Mr.. and Mrs. Paradox were
going to separate.
Your sure you don't care for her,
Louis ?" Paradox's dearest friend and
college chum had said to him.
oh, that's quite thing of the past" p"
said Paradox, with a shrug of the
shoulders.
"You nave ceased to love him,
dear p Mrs. Paradox's mother ques-
toned her child.
"Oh, mamma, long ago!" declared
poor little Abby, with streaming eyes.
So the papers were signed, and Mr..
and Mrs. Paradox separated in good
earnest.
Abby Jane went back to the maternal
home, and Mr.. Paradox took up his
quarters in a hotel, until he could ar
range for his final departure.
But the night before he was to sail
k1a tor tr hi
nounced, "a lady"
''It's my MOTHER thought Mr.. Par
adox, who was sitting staring into the
red Goals of the CRATE as if they were a
riddle that he was trying to read.
But it was not his mother.
1t was his wife
Its only me, Louis" said Abby,
trembling all over. Ill wanted to
speak just a word or two to you before
you went away-foreverr
''Are you not satisfied with the al
lowance?' said Mr.. Paradox, gloomily.
"Oh, quite, it's more than gener
ous," said Abby, hurriedly. Only,
Louis, I couldn't belp telling you one
or two things before we part. was
wrong about Rover. He was noble
dog I should have let him stay, only
only I was little out of temper that
day. And I've asked your mothers
pardon for refusing to let her live with
us. think, now, that she would have
been great help, and comfort to me.
And I think, Louis, that l should feel
better if you would say you forgave me
for scolding SO much about your cigars!
Aud"
"Stop!' said Mr. Paradox. cit isn't
right, Abby, that all the apologies
should be on your side. I've been
wrong myself p
"Oh, no, Louis, no!' cried out the
little wife, bursting into tears.
"Yes, [ was-about your aunt" de-
clared Paradox.
She was dreadfully trying old
creature" owned Abby, "and 1 knew it
all the time"
"But should have treated her civ
illy!" persisted Mr.. Paradox. "And 1
shall always regret, Abby, that I did
not give you that season at the seaside"
dear Louis, don't talk SO! All [
ask of you is to forget and forgive my
horrid temper" besought Mrs. Para
dOx.
If there is any forgiveness" said
the husband, with softening eyes, it
is l that need it. 1 have acted like a
fool"
"We have both been foolish" timid-
ly suggested the wife.
"But because we have been idiots, it
don't follow that we need be for the fu-
ture," said Mr.. Paradox, holding out
both his hands. "Abby, shall I 60, or
shall I stay? Speak quickly; it is for
you to decide"
Stay" whispered Mrs. Paradox.
He folded her close to his breast.
Little wife" he said, "let Us go