Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-17
A MAY-TIDE IDYL,
sOh, John. we've got to move,"

mouse IUChcT, WHICH cTcahPU With q measure oil
rejoicing at his misery.
Yes" said Maria timidly, as she lifted
Johns hat from his head and put it on the bed
they've decided to give up this house the LIST Of
May
The little woman knew how her husbands
heart sinking at this bit of intelligence, yet
mixed with her tone of depreciation was an in
definable note OF pleasure.
but they told us last fall there would be no
moving" John exclaimed, after a moment or
two of silence.
81 know they did," assented Maria. eagery
''but-"
But came here" and John rose doggedly,
to pull off his overcoat
Just we were beginning to feel at home,
too he added, with glance about the room :.
Home? Well, technically speaking. it was
home to those two mortals whose very
name carried their history to the small
world that knew them. skipping" was joke
so venerable as to be aristOcratic from its age
alone.
Skipping was struggling young lawyer-the
son of Methodist minister on whom fate was
forever grinning with malicious cruelty: whose
marrow was permeated with the curse of itin-
eracy.
''lts born in the bone. Maria" John used to
say. when the periodic moving day came around.
yet d lOOinOIu anywhere. Inc CnurCn
ought TO give me at least life lease of its soft
est pew"
But the bane ofthat system that knows no
law but change chung to the hapless man,
and drove him about with the same grim force
the conference" prOdded his father with.
well. Maria, if it must be- it must" and
Johns face took ON the look his wife SO grieved
at.
Maria moved toward the window AMI pre-
tended to pick dried leaf from her one gera-
MUM plant, but Johns quick eye detected the
glimmer of tear that fell from somewhere
make him ashamed Of himself.
"Never mind? Never mind. You're not to
blame. my dear. It's my" John paused
minute, remembering he was not at the office
.'It's my fate" he added. with comforting
forcibleness that compensated for the abbreyia-
ton Of his phrase.
Maria looked up with smile more tentative
than mrthiul; there was evidently some reserve
behind what she had divulged
John, / I" Maria hesitated and put
herself in an attitude which invited the support
ing usefulness Of Johns muscular arm
You've been taking time by the bangs-I
know You have! Come. what is it 2" and Johns
next action implied that the secret might be
squeezed out of her.
ITS the sweetest little roOm-so clean and
nice; and the kendalls say they like the plan,''
with nervous laugh that seemed to suggest
that he should know well enough without ex-
PLANTATION.
what plan3" asked John perverselv, as the
ola rocker squeaked resentfuily in protest at a
double load
why. can't you guess?" stroking his scant
red locks with a caressing touch that should
have eoaxed more hair to grow. - .-..s
II haven't the remotest idea!"
Johns eyes were shut. He appeared to be
enjoying the tOnsOrial luxury.
Rent room i'm an elegant new house and
take our meals where the kendals do" MUIR
INJURED Maria softly
Maria!" His eyes were opened wide enough
now and his infection of sOrrOwful reproach
told how MORALLY stricken he was.
The pretty lip trembled, and the dimpled chin
looked like the top of tin pepper-box, as Maria
rose from her husbands knee
- 1t will cost ever so much less and-and the
kendalls like it. They say they never felt SO
free before" ,..
viii you forgive me il say-bless the Ken
dalis!" Johns hands went down deep into his
pants pockets. and he seemed more remote from
Christian resignation than ever
Great Scott" he beloved, shave we come
to that? ROomers and mealers out? Has Meth
Odsin to answer for this too 2"
The fact that Johns back was adorned with
japanese tidy. that afectiOnately chung to
him as he left the chair. didn't add an element
OF seriousness to the picture of his wrath but
Maria never even smiled as she rescued the
femining treasure and restored it to its proper
place
''ConfOund that thing," he muttered. "You
had better make few more Of those perfectly
lovely denominations and spatter them over US
when we go out TO our meals"
at isn't worth while being put out, John"
Put out? Who's put outin
~ on know you are, John and often tell
You it is foolish to care so much for trifes You
exhaust good deal of vitality In it, that might
lust as well be applied to other purposes You
know iretting wears ones nerves, and gives one
wrinkles
John scanned her face with curious smile
and with mock look Of negation.
III L were in definition class, and called on
70 tell what woman il. should say "a cross
between saint and philosopher he sighed
20, John! hope you're not sarcastic"
In my life"
Then You will learn, dear. won't your to wait
until actual trouble comes before you worry and
get out of temper"
~ will try" meekly.
Before the evening was over the woman won
the odd trick and carried her honors with con-
siderable show Of pleasure.
After the gas was eXtinguished and the natu-
raj order OF events would have indicated the
presence OF the sOft-winged sweet restorer.
Maria heard John attempt to smother a sigh
what is it, DEAR" she whispered
Il have come to the conclusion. my love. that
| shall never have permanent address until
some one puts up my headstone."
few days later the Skippings were housed
in the elegant new lodgings" and another
phase of experience was begun.
isn't 1t perfectly charming" chirped Maria.
80 coy and hOmeiIke." she sighed setting the
dollar Clock on the deck-shelf of the dressing
case.
You are too good for me. Maria. You should
have been ministers wife," said John as he
pulled cloud Of smoke into the clean white
curtains.
o. think it's really delightful here-the water
Is just as hot all day; and you know that's one
thing we never did have at the Beldngs'," as
serted Maria. as she turned the faucet on. lust
TO enjoy consciousness Of the found lux
ury.
1T must be dnner-time." John remarked
irrelevantly. Maria closed the faucet with
jerk.
A moment later they were on the street. irving
to walk as if they were going down town.
They encountered several ''mealers" coming
out of the area door as they approached the
house, and John remarked how every one wore
wooden toOthpick in the mouth. while they
brushed the crumbs from their clothing and ad-
iusted coats and wraps as they moved along.
The Skippings found the dining-room full as
they attempted TO enter; every seat was occu-
pea WIN regulars, Who paused to stare at the
newcomers.
Where shall we sit. pease:" asked Maria.
tlmidly of the landlady, who barred their fur
ther progress.
Just take seats-up stairs, In the parlor."
sounded in Johns ears like the ghost of a repri-
mand he had heard in boyhood We're all full
now. but Ill make place for YOU as soon as
some OF these people get through"
Seated IN sober silence in the dark parlOr nm
stairs Maria found time to subdue the color in
her cheeks. and John drew consolation from