Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-05-24
TRAINING A HUSBAND,

DR.. and Mrs. Morton had finished lunch
and were discussing some private theat.
ricals, which, followed by ball. were
to take place that evening at the mess.
house Of the -th. The subject was a
delicate one, for on it they held decided
but unfortunately divided opinions
The doctor had prejudice against such
things, and, though in most respects
very indulgent to his 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 ms?"
"Then when shall ever have an op-
portunity of showing off that lovely pink
and silver cloak you got from Madras on
my birthday?" pouted the young wife.
"Ah, that is deeply important mat
teri" laughed the doctor. "We mus see
if we can't get up dance in our own
bungalow, little woman" continued he,
somewhat lncenSequ6Htly.
"But that won't be ball and theatri-
calls tonight; and by that time Dad
dahbhoy, Rumanagee and the other Par
sees will have their shops filled with the
new-fashioned cloak, while az yet mine
is the only one in the cantonment. l
really do think, William, you might let
me go. am sure l sit patiently enough
through those solemn dinners and sci
entific reunions of which you are SO
fond"
"Well, well, as 1t is the very last of
the season, suppose L might be amia-
BILE for once; but"
"Oh, that's dear, good, disagreeable
good thingp said his wife, giving him a
kiss; and without waiting to hear more,
in llutter of delight she left the room.
When left to himself the docter 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 1 order the palanquin for
you?"
Still continuing her search, she replied
rather absently, "Oh, any time. 1 shall
only want it returning; the Hills will
call for me going"
DR.. Morton was taken aback.
49," he exclaimed, "you had arranged
to go with-or without-my consent"
With little start. she answered some
what confusedly, "Well 1 thought you
would be sure to give me leave, William,
and"
"As you have chosen to act so wholly
Independently" interrupted her hus-
band angrily, 81 withdraw the consent
| unwittingly gave. The house shall be
closed at the usual hour, and if you do
not happen to be at home at IL o'clock,
we do not sleep under the same roof
this night" And in high displeasure
Mr.. Merton left the house; nor did he
return for more than couple Of hours,
during which his mood had more than
once changed. The first irritation oyer.
he felt that it was hard upon his pet to
deny her the pleasure to which but the
moment before he had assented. How
could he bear to spend the leng evening
opposite that disappointed, wistful little
face? 1t began, too, to dawn upon him
that "the whole cantonment' in
India, where private life is more dis
tinctly public property than any other
corner of the world, stands for our es-
teemed friend, Mrs. Grundy-might, as
has ever been its wont, put an unkind
construction on motives it did not un
derstand; might hint that he was not so
much standing by his sprinciples-which,
in fact, he had yielded-as avenging his
own offended dignity. The result of all
which. cogitation was that if, ON his re-
turn home he should find that she had
accepted both disappointment and re-
buke in proper spirit-much, indeed
all, depended on that-she should 60
with her friends to the ball; or even in
the event of their having already called,
he would show his magnanimity by ia
king her himself. Just then a carriage
drove swiftly past his; he recognized it
to be the Hills, and in it-could he cred
it his senses all radiant with smiles,
wrapped in her new cloak, sat his wife,
who, in merry defiance, kissed her hands
to him as they passed.
Both ball and theatricals we're delight
full, and none enjoyed them more than
the volatile and fascinating Mrs. Nor
ton. In the gayety of her spirits she
confided 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 cut, she
replied she did not think that
would be at all likely; hut in the event
of anything SO improbable, she still had