The Northern Pacific farmer., 1881-10-13
JUST TOO FAR.

the sake OF a lew paltry dOllars! And
pretty Lou Falconer pouted her rosy hp,
and turned pettishly away from her
husband.
I'VE are a young firm, you know, Lou,
and"
"Oh, say nothing more about it, if you
please. Ishall never ask you for anythi ng
again." And with a little toss Of her head
she left she room.
Falconer sighed and his brow contracted
with pain, as he looked after her.
Poor child! 1t is so hard to refuse er
anything"
He was pale young man, with thought
ful cast Of ceuntenance and earnest grey
eyes; habitually reserved and prudent, he
was accounted a sharp business man, and
at the time of his marriage, two years pre-
vious, the old men predicted that he would
eventually become one of the largest cap
italists in B. His wife, wilful. pretty
creature. seemed to be his one weak point.
advantage; her influence over him was un-
bounded, and even in cases where it was
against his better judgment he invariably
yielded to her wishes. The present object
OF these three last named was a garnet SILK
dress pattern. which she had that morning
seen at C-'s fashionable store; and poor
Faiconer's ears we're still ringing with the mi
mute description of its incomparative love-
illness.
1T seems so cruel to deny her what she
has set her heart on, he said, laying down
his pen, and raising, took one or two turns
across the room. The result of his refec-
tion was, that he put on his hat, went
straight to C.'s ordered the silk, and had it
charged to his account.
Who would estate to credit Falconer
Frost? There was not safer copartner-
ship anywhere. The salesman bGndly in
qeired, Anything else. sir?" wrote the
address, and promised that the parcel
should be sent home sin an hours time"
Then the purchaser walked slowly down
to his business, not altogether satisfied
with what he had done.
"Oh, Edward, you darling" were the
words that greeted him when he went home
that evening, and throwing her arms
whelmed him with kisses. ooh, you dear
love! how clever it was Of you to feign the
old Shylock, and give me such delightful
snrprise!'
IF it was really delightful surprise,
Mignon," putting both hands upon her
shoulders, and gazing fondly into the fair,
jo, GUS face, Il am amply rewarded for my
trouble"
Wait until you see me in my new dress,
and then you'll be rewarded in earnest"
We'll, suppose you let ME have some tea
now"
Certainly, as much as you want"
Throughout the meal Lou was gay and
garrulous. and afterward went to the piano
and sung to her husband till bedtime.
Il can't make up this handsome dress
myself" soliloquized Mrs. Falconer, as she
examined her treasure next day; II am sure
that Edward would rather pay the Dress
makers bill than have me spoil it." So she
forthwith took it toa fashionable modiste
and was fitted.
When she reached home she found let
ter from her mother in New York, saying
that she would be with them by the follow
ing Tuesday, and Immediately set about
preparing room for her reception.
''Dear me-, she said, Il must have some
new muslin curtains. I should be ashamed
for mamma to see those, all darned as they
are. Edward must be an angel again, and
give me some."
''Sweetest, dearest and best of men?"
she said to him at dinner, II am in worse
fix than was the Princess Graciosa; won't
YOU be Percinet, and come to my assist
ance?"
''What is it you want now?" asked Fal-
coner, beginning to get nervous.
"Oh, love, my muslin curtains are so
ragged as to disgrace the house, and man.
ma is coming next week; she is always so
particular about appearances, and want to
get some fresh ones to put up in her room. "
us it absolutely necessary to have mus
lin curtains, Lon? Wouldn't dimity do
just as we'll? I am sure you must have a
spare set"
''Oh, but mamma is accustomed to muslin
curtains, and know she won't feel at home
with any other kind. There now, be a
good darling, and let me get them"
II hate TO refuse you, Lou, but"
"Oh, you've turned into q monster again
you Charon! maynt even welcome my
own mother, and make her comfortable in
our home"
"You can welcome your mother and
make her very comfortable without the aid
of muslin curtains" said Ealconer, decid-
edly:
''Savagey' cried Lou beginning to pout
''This is unreasonable and childish!' ex-
claimed her husband impatiently pushing
back his chair. He had some perplexing
business on his mind and wassin no mood
for trifing. But Lou burst into tears.
"Hang it allr' cried Edward, and taking
his hat ne LETT the house. He had not gone
ten steps, however, before his resolution
bank, he hastily drew check and returned
home with the money. He found his wife
in her own room, with their little Eddie on
her lap, the traces of tears were fresh on
her face, and she was singing to- the baby
in a low tone.
Forgive me, my precious, for having
been so grabbed just now," pleaded Falcon
er in penitent tone, as he bent over and
kissed her, at the same time placing tho
money in her hand. "Will this be sufficient
for what you want?'
eho 4
delightedly, separating the roll of bank
notes. "Ill take what's left over, and get
you perfect duck of dressing gown and
materials to work the lovliest pair of slip.
pers you ever saw"
Falconer began to protest that he stood
in need of neither dressing gown nor slip
pers, but reproachful glance from Louis
blue eyes arrested his words. mot when
lam going to make them with my OWL
little fngers?" she said, and Edward was
subdued instanter.
The following week LOUIS mother, Mrs
Townsend, arrived, and was affectionately
welcomed by her daughter and SON. in law
She was thoroughly sensible, reasonable
woman, with q deal of penetration, thai
seemed to divine things at a glance, anG
was an acquisition to any household.
Don't you think, Lou, " sho said to he1
daughter one day, when the latter had, il
her usualcoaxing, half-pouting style, been
urging Edward to so1ne fresh extravagance
~that you may push your opportunities jas
too far? MIR. Falconer looks very mucl
perplexed and worried day, I think"
Oh, Edward is the dearest, most amiabl'
of men,.
"Yes, Lou, but for the very reason tha
your husband is amiable and indulgent t.
fault, you should be merciful and no
press him too far. Now I Iconsider thai
' baby's cloak which you coaxed him int
getting for Eddie quite an unnecessar,
piece OF: extravagance. Now, take my ad
vice. and bea little more reasonable i.
your demands"
Mrs. Falconer knew better than to pou
at her mother, so she resolved not to asl
her husband for anything in her presence
again; but no sooner was Mrs. Townsent
gone than the old practice was renewed
Too much occupied with her own selisl
little aims, she did not notice that he
husbands manner was often strangel,