Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-04-20
DIR. AND MRS. MORTON.
4 Funny Little story About n sharp
Woman.

tFrom London Society,"
DIR. and Mrs. Morton had finished tiflin,
and were discussing some private theat-
rirals, which, followed by ball, were TO
take place that evening ut the mess-house
of the-th The subject was delicate
one, for ON it they held decided. but I'M
fortunately divided opinions. The doc
tor had prejudice against such things,
and, though i'll some respects very indul-
gent TO Lis pretty little wife, objected to
her attending them. She, however, was
bent on doing so.
"You know, dear, that it is the very
last of the season, and every one will be
there
'And you know my rooted objection to
these entertainments, Ada why do you
urge me?'
Then when shall ever have an OPP
portunity of showing OF that lovely pink
and silver cloak You got from Madras on
my birthday ~ pouted the young wife.
"Ah, that is a deeply important mat
ter r. laughed the doctor. 'We must see
if we cant get up dance in our own
bungalow, little woman" continued he
somewhat inconsequently.
but that won't be ball and theatre
Gals tonight and by ithat time Daddah-
Ohoy, Rumangeo and the other Parsees
will have their shops filled with the new
fashioned cloak, while as yet mine is the
only one in the cautonment. | really do
think, William, you might let me go. l
nm sure ! sit patiently enough through
those solemn dinners and scientific re-
unions, Of which you are SO fond"
swell, well, as it is the very last of
the season, | suppose | must be amiable
for once; but"
ooh, that's n dear, good disagreeablc
old thing - said his wife, giving him
kiss and without waiting to hear more,
i'll ilutterof delight she left the room.
When left to himself the doctor pom
dered their late conversation and felt by
no means satisfied with his share in it.
Still, having consented, he determined to
do SO with good grace /; and, on Mrs.
Morton presently re-entering to look for
something, he said, "By the way, dear,
when shall | order the palanquin for
you?'
Still continuing her search she replied,
rather absently. "Oh, any time, l shall
only want it returning the Hills will
call for me going"
DIR. Morton was taken aback.
'Se, lie exclaimed, you had arranged
to 60 with-or without my consent r.
With little start, she answered some
what confusedly, "Well, | thought you
would be sure to give me leave, William,
and"
GAS you have chosen to act so wholly
independently" interrupted her husband
angrily, 81 withdraw the consent SO I'M
Willingly gave. The house shall be closed
Mt the usual hour, and if you do not hap
no l,a AZ "A 1 al Il
not sleep under the same roof this night.
And in high displeasure DIR. Morton left
the house nor did he return for more
than II couple of hours, during which his
mood had more than once changed. The
first irritation over, he felt that it was
hard upon his pet to deny her the pleas
IRE to which but the moment before he
had assentcd How could he bear to
spend the long evening opposite that dis
appointed, wlstful little face? 1t began,
too, to dawl upon him that "the whole
cantunment' which in India, where pri-
va,o life is more distinctly public pro-
pcrty than in any other corner of the
world, stands for our esteemed old friend,
Mrs. Grundy-miGht. as has ever been
its wont, PIT an uukind construction on
motives 1t did not understand might
hint that he was not 80 much standing by
his principles which, in fact, he had
yielded-as avenging his own offended
dignity. The result of all which cogita-
ton was that if, on his return home, he
should find that she had accepted both
disappointment and rebuke i'll proper
spirit-much, indeed all, depended on
that-she should go with their friends to
the ball and even III the probable event
of their having already called, he would
show his magnanimity by taking her him
self. Just then II carriage drove swiftly
past his he recognized it to be the Hills
and in it--could lie credit his senses p
Nil radiant with smiles, wrapped in her
new cloak, sat his wife, who, in merry de-
liance, kissed her hands to him as they
passed.
Both ball and theatricals were delight
ful, and none enjoyed them more than the
volatile and fascinating Mrs. Morton. In
the gayety of her spirits she coutided to
one after another Of her dearest friends
her husbands threat and to one or two,
who expressed some fear that he might
carry it out, she laughingly replied that
she did not think that that would be at
all likely but in the event Of anything
30 improbable she hnd still her palan-
quin, III which she could rest until gun,