The Portland daily press., 1883-08-11
Punctuality.

The trouble began as soon as we were mar
ried-nay, even before. | had been engaged
to Charley long enough to learn her weak
mes pretty well, and as our wedding day
approached began to tremble.
"Charley," / said as we parted the night
before, 'don't be late tomorrow, whatever
You do.n
''Good heavens, Leila what do you take
me for?'' said Charley. "If ever man was
ready for anything"
(Which you never were since l knew
you,p said. II believe you would manage
to be late for your own funeral"
s'That would not depend quite so much
upon my own volition," said Charley, laugh
ing. MAKE your mind easy, little woman !;
shall be in time"
was by no means convinced of it, but
could say no more. At first | had thought
of being married in the English style, but
did not fancy the idea of waiting at the chan
eel rails for Charley. The only safe thing
seemed to be to secure him before we left
the house.
Two O'Clock was the hour fixed for the
wedding, and as the time approached, of
course l was in turmoil. / was sure that
the hair-dresser was late, but Aunt Fan con-
vinced me that the appointed hour had not
yet arrived. He came promptly on the
stroke of the clock, then all was hurry and
worry until my toilet was completed. was
ready, from the spray of orange blossom
which fastened my veil, to the rosette on my
slipper; but Charley mad not come.
''It's too bad,'' l said. ''He promised so
faithfully to be in time. Do send somebody
to look him up.''
ssDear chiidr' cried Aunt Fan, in terror,
s'whateyer you do, don't cry Blushing
cheeks are all very wen for a bride, but
blushing eyes are decided mistake. There
is plenty of time. 1t is only half-past one."
'sBut he might be here" l cried. 81 am
ready, and why isn't he? It's too bad.
One great tear splashed down upon the
brocaded satin of my dress. That frightened
me, aud l resolutely repressed the rest,
while Aunt Fan carefully dried the spot with
her lace handkerchief. 1t was completely
effaced, but still Charley did not come. Then
I fell into stony despair
'sHe won't come at all. There will be no
wedding, and shall be the laughing stock
of everybody.
ssMy dear Lelia,' said Aunt Fan, ''we are
not in England. You can be married at any
time, and it is not two YETI
''But just on the s.roke," | said.
Just then the cuckoo clock shouted out its
two absurd notes. A moment afterwards
the door-bell rang, and Charley walked in as
calm and composed as If l had not been en-
during agonies.
"Charley! Charley how could you?" l
cried, and then stopped, and bit my lip to
keep back the tears which rushed to my
eyes.
'.What is that?'' said Charley, looking ut
terly bewildered.
Instead of looking ashamed, when he I'M
derstood the state of affairs, he began to
laugh. "My dear child" he said, "the
clocks were striking two as | came up the
steps. l said would be IN time, and
am"
The wedding journey was not period OF
unalloyed bliss to me. Charley never missed
train or boat, but he was never more
than just in time, so that was kept in con-
slant terror. To the hours for meals he paid
not the slightest attention. When remind
ed him of them, he merely inquired If was
hungry. Ii could not say that | was, he
laughed and said, 'VThen why hurry? what
is the use of being in hotel if we cannot
take our time?n As if punctuality were not
virtue in itself!
1t was a relief to me when we came home,
and settled down at last to begin life in ear
nest. We had had one little quarrel about
the.furnishing of our house. | wanted
clock in every room, to which Charley decid-
eddy objected.
"Time was made for slaves" he said.
"Why should be constantly reminded of
lHJ UOuuSf w u6u L all QONn bOHu, AAoob
be punctual and energetic, and score of
other things. came home for relaxation,
and want to forget all annoyances. Have
a clock in the kitchen, by all means, and
put one, if you choose, in the servants bel
room. For the rest, we have our watches,
and what possible need have we for more?"
l yielded, but made up my mind then
which of Charley's faults was likely to give
me the most trouble.
Il, .1,I. ~. nil
say that for him. On the whole, though, |
am not sure that that was not the most ag-
gravating part of 1t. always made a point
of being ready before the time, when we
were going anywhere, hoping that my silent
example would have its effect, but it was of
no use. "What! going already, little wom-
amp" Charley would say. Then pulling out
his watch and looking at it, "Oh, we need
not start for an hour yet; plenty of time"
Then he would throw himself into chair
and rattle away about anything or nothing,
while felt myself growing more and more
nervous every minute. had made up my
mind that nothing should induce me to quar-
rel with him-quarreling is at once foolish
and vulgar-and never did. As the tine
drew on, however, / would say, Charley,
ought you not to be getting ready?"
"Oh, there no hurry" was theinvariable
reply-"time enough" At last, however, he
would rouse himself, look at his watch,
yawn, stretch, and then rise slowly from his
chair.
''That bonnet is very becoming. / suppose
that is why you like to wear it so long" he
said on one such occasion. Then he went
out of the room laughing, and heard him
moving about overhead in the deliberate
way which nearly drove me frantic.
The worst of it was that he always did
manage to be just in lime. If could only
have convicted him of being just too late for
once, 1 should have had something to fall
back upon in our arguments, but as 1t was,
/ had nothing to take hold OF.
Things had gone on in this way for two or
three months. did not suppose that Char
ley knew or, indeed, saw, how | fretted
about 1t. l tried hard to hide my irritation,
for | really loved him and did not wish to
annoy, still less to ALLEVIATE him; but [ sup
pose that my efforts were in vain. We were
talking about reception which we were
going in the evening, and | said: NOW,
Charley, dear, won't you be ready in time,
just for once? You do make me waste so
much time waiting for you"
Charley laughed as usual, and was going
to make one of his careless retorts, but he
stopped suddenly.
1--WE have been married four months,
haven't we, Lelia?' he said.
"Four months to-day" l said promptly.
sit was the 9Th of August, and this is the
9th of December"
''And in all that time you have not been
able to cure me of my dreadful fault? Poor
little girl. Your hair will be gray in year
at this rate. I'm going to try the effect of
turning over new leaf, and see how we
both like it"
did not know exactly what he meant
then, but began to understand when he
went into his dressing-room the moment l
suggested it, ue came out fully equipped,
even to his gloves, before hal half finished
dressing.
mo hurry, Leila" he said, looking in as
he passed. 81 only wanted to let you know
that am ready whenever you are"
OF course had to hurry after that, but as
always hurried anyhow, it did not make
very much difference. Charley said nothing
except, The carriage is at the door," when
/ came down. OF course, after all the fuss
had made, could not say that it was too
early too go, though knew very well that it
was, and was quaking inwardly all the way.