Morris tribune., 1881-09-22
THE FIRST QUARREL.

THE FIRST QUARREL.
Then; Ralph, you think as do, that we
must never, never have first quarrel?'
''Never, Rose, there is nothing easier
than to live without it"
yet they do say that married people are
always sure to quarrel some time"
eyes, and they do say, my darling, that
engaged people are sure to quarrel q great
deal. But haven't we proved it false in our
case?"
"Oh, Ralph, it is because we have loved
each other too truly to even think of such q
thing"
"Of course it is, little one, drawing tho
golden head down to his breast, "and that
is just why we shall never quarrel. How
could we ever speak a harsh word to each
other, dearest?"
There was no audible answer, but sub
dued sound as of tender caressing, filled
up the interval.
Ralph Maynard and Rose Clark were to
be united for better or for wolse Oh the
morrow. AS we have seen, they fondly
their wedding sky.
Three months after marriage, and the
sun was setting upon as charming little
scene as could we'll be imagined. A pretty
white cottage with low windows and roman
tic po1ticos overlooking velvety green
lawn; the windows of the dining room
stand open, and the fragrant breath of June
roses from, without was rivaled by the taste
full boquets which stood in crystal vases
upon the table; the snow white damask,
cut-glas and shining silver caught the
last rays OF the sun, as they now fitted
over the dainty tea table. now sparkling in
the crimson heart of jelly, now lingering
in the golden meshes of Rose Maynard's
hair, as she poured out cup of fragrant tea
for her young husband.
Three months, and all was perfect hap
piness. Rose was thinking this as she
poured out the tea, with little smile upon
her lips.
"Rosev
She looked up quickly; surely there was
a slight-just the Sigh test-shade of con-
straint or GOODNESS in the tone.
"Rose, repeated her husband, evidently a
little embarrassed, "as rode down to the
Office this morning, heard some comments
upon your friend, Mrs. Elton. which didn't
please me very we'll. Iwish," in lower
tone, that you would drop her acquaint-
ance, my love-"
Why, Ralph, what can you mean?" with
deep flush rising to her cheek, 81 would
do anything for you, Ralph" she added,
but how terribly unjustit would be to drop
my best friend because some people don t
choose to like her."
Il am afraid they have good reasons for
it, dear; in fact, never liked her myself,
though did not like to tell you so. She is
too much of q tiirt for me to wish to see
her the intimate friend of nv wife,
"She is splendid, don't care what peo-
pie say, and I am ashamed of you, Ralph,
for helping to abuse woman's character-
and that woman My best friend, tool"
And down dropped Roses knife and
fork, and up went the dainty handkerchief
to the bright blue eyes, which had suddenly
filled with tears. This was too much fol
Ralph. He came to her side and kissed
away the first tears he had ever seen IN his
wife's pretty eyes.
Come, come, darling! remember, we
are never to quarrel. But do hope, Rose,
that you will think seriously over what l
have said" ..
Rose said nothing, but chung to her hus-
band as though they had just been snatch
ed from precipice and she could hardly
realize their safety. To think that he,
Ralph, had actually disapproved of her!
w.,
but poor Rose felt thoughtful almost sad.
her dearest friend, without any good cause,
as she believed, or displease her own dar-
ling husband, she saw was unavoidable;
and to her loyal, loving nature to do either
seemed impossible. She would do all she
could, however, to please her husband
without offending her friend.
All! little wife, what difficult position
to sustain!
But for week she managed it. When
the charming little woman dropped in to
call, which she did unceremoniously at all
times, Rose always cont: lived to be so busy
that she could not possibly go out. Wheth-
er it was handkerchief for Ralph, pin
cushion for dear mamma" or new piece
to practice, it was always sure to be too i'm
portant to be neglected.
"Why, what has come over you, Rose?'
cried Mrs. Elton one day, rather suspicious.
ly; "you have not been out with me for a
week. Are you going to keep this up for
ever?"
ct don't know Tm sure" replied Rose,
laughing, and inwardly wondering how she
could excuse herself much longer; but ]
really find so much to do. fyour husband
were at home. Maude, you would not have
80 much leisure yourself"
"Then I'm heartily glad he isn't" said
Mrs. Elton, pouting, for I could never
stay in as you do, little num-"
But when Ralph came home again that
evenining he again referred to the rumors
concerning Mrs. Elton; she was carrying on
serious fiirtion with well known society
man whose reputation was. anything but
pure.
''Psople are simply mistaken, said
Rose, with dignity; "she no more firts with
him than she. does with you. have seer
them together.
'tWell, shouldn't like you to amuse
Yourself in my absence as she does in the
absence of her husband"
Haven't you any confidence in YOU
wife, Ralph"
Certainly; but who can tell what an in.
fiuence she may acquire over your At al
| events, darling" very gently, you mus
find some way of disseminating her &C
| quaintance at once"
Ralph! must?"
eyes, my dear, mustY This time will
quite matrimonial air of frmness.
| The bright blue eyes of his wife flashed
in surprise and anger. That little wore
from Ralph's lips caused as much com.
motion in Roses mind as the big, biz
D." from the captain Of the Pinafort
raised among his crew.
That evening was passed almost in 81
.lence, and there was no good night kiss.
| In the morning Rose was already to for
give, but Ralph was cold and distant, ant
! did not seem to wish it. Immediately afte
breakfast he went down town, after leavin,
the faintest possible kiss upon Lis wife,
troubled brow.
He saw the trouble hut pride was at work
so he went away. leaving his perplexe,
bride in just the right state of mind to fol
an easy victim 10 the tempter. She wa
angry with her husband for daring to dis
like her friend, and angry with that frien,
for being the cause Of GOODNESS between he
and her husband.
But when that pretty, charming frient
came rushing in early in the afternoon; al