Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-10-23

can't saw as much as that in his own
house without being nipped up in this
way. Say,tdo you mean to take this
money OF notp l can't stop fooling
here all day."
mo, l do not" replied Molly, stead
lily.
What in. How do you suppose
we're going to get along il YOU act
Ike a simpletonP You don't really
think l am going to bother my head
o Kitchen matters, do you?"
There's the money on the table. You'd
better take care of it,"
Considerably lncensed, John flung
down the roll OF bills and baneel out
OF the house. believing Molly would
not hold out long. but would see the
FOLLY OF her course, and do the only
thing that could be done-go on with
her household arrangement as before.
"For II she thinks I'm going to trot
around to groceries and meat-shops.
she's mistaken" he sputtered to him
self in virtuous indignation. mo,
Ill go without eating first"
A heroic resolution which any one
knows no man could keep.
He went home that night wondering
what kind of a reception would be G
corded him. but pretty we'll satisfied
that Molly would not be obstinate, and
more than half expecting that she
would fly to him, and moisten his
sh'rt-front with tears of contrition for
her display of temper.
IN this he was disappointed: Molly
did not come to meet him at all; neither
ID she appear angry or sulkv. Dinner
passed Oft as usual, after which Molly
sat down in her low rocker. with the
weeks mending. in the cosiest man
ner imaginable. John thought she
was conquered. and set out to read the
little madam a lecture on matronly
propriety, but he didn't just | Ike to
spoil the seem of quiet domestic en-
joyment, and decided to defer 1T.
The next morning just as he was go
ing away, Molly looked up from the
cups and saucers. and said:
The money that you left on the
table yesterday is in the secretary
drawer. There are a number of things
needed to-day. which you can get or
not, as you like. A,,roast for dinner,
also sugar and coffee. and vegetables
of some kind"
The old Nick! She was as mulish as
ever, after all! Johns temper flew sky
high at the idea of being driven. If
there's anything in this world that a
man can't abide, it s being driven, es-
pecially by a woman.
WELL, madam, if you rely on me
to get what's wanted, you'll wish you
hadn't!' he angrily exclaimed. II
won't be bossed around by any wom-
an" and slam went the door.
Molly laughed to herself. although
tears stood N her eyes. The day wore
on. No groccry's boy or butchers man
appeared with the designated articles.
John had evidently not ordered them.
and it was nearing the dinner hour.
Molly looked around to see what
her were. She did not wish
to treat John %shabbily, but would set
as good a meal before him as she could
under the circumstances. If he per-
sisted in his refusal to attend to the
orders the next day. she would still do
her best with a diminishing larder.
She smiled as she thought what incon-
gruous meals they would be.
John exulted all day in a sense oil
having my lady fast in q corner. Since
he positively refused to act the part as
signed him, there was nothing left her
but acquiescence in a notifying de.
feat. He had never known her to be
delinquent in conscientious and pune
tual attention to meals, she would not
be now. John had no fears but every.
thing would be all right, as he entered
his cosy home. Doubtless Molly would
be somewhat sulky over her defeat, but
she'd sOon get over it.
'.Hullo. SIR" he said to Molly's pet
spaniel, which came frisking into the
hall. and stood on tiptoc to welcome
him; .'hullo. Ned, good doggie, where's
your mistress?"
Molly heard the good-natured tones,
and half shrank from entering the din
ing-room, whittier John had directed
his steps. The table was Immediately
spread. and the eatables upon it lwere
rs advantageously displayed as posi-
bic, but John noticed, at the first
glance. q difference from the usual ap-
pointmetds.
just then Molly came in, bearing a
steaming teapot. which she deposited
in its place beside her plate, as Sc
renely as if she were not almost
trembling with excitement.
sit down, John" she sad pleasant
ly. Il have done the best l can, but
I'm afraid the dinner isn't very good.
Luckily there was a little ham left and
1 broiled it. We shall have to do
without vegetables"
Ham for dinner! Who wants broiled
ham except for breakfast? And moth.
ing to eat with it but potatoes and
bread and butter! Well nigh tongue.
tied with astonishmcnt and chagrin,
John helped himself to the plain vi.
ands. If he had not been so raven
ously hungry he would have refused
the meal altogether. Really, this was
carrying things too far.
Il guess you forgot to put the sugar
on the table" said John after awhile,
looking around for the wherewithal tc
sweeten his tea.
There isn't any. I mentioned it to
you this morning. you remember"
No. John had not remembered, or he
would have bitten his tongue out before
he would have asked for it. Savagely
he gnawed his moustache, and pushed
his cup away. Molly observed the &C
ton, and quietly arose and procured