Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-09-02
4 1.robleiii Solved.

ence. lie gazed abseht-niindedly into
the show windows to his right, and
seemed lost in thought.
Good morning Edmund,' called a
gentleman apparently ten years his
senior and of compact figure, with full
black beard, who was coming towards
him. This is the first time | have
seen you sincs your marriage, and it
confirms the sad aphorism that young
husband forgets nothing more easily
than his friends. Do not interrupt me,
for intend no reproaches, since am
aware of your happiness. You have
married the prettiest girl in town, and
l think you are to sensible not too agree
with me when | say that her money is
no drawback Poverty makes no one
! happy. and riches do no harm, you
| know.
Over the handsome face of Mr.. Ed
mund Hagen, the person addressed,
fitted a weak smile.
Doctor, do not say that YOU are
not right, he answered but money
can not do everything. | am happy
yet
He did not finish the sentence.
Yet, repeated DR.. Henry Brose,
who was physician of note. This
word betrays the fact that your happi-
ness has some kind Of unpleasant after
taste. What do YOU mean by this
YETI
'Nothing-nothins" said Hagen.
This won't do continued Brose, 1
do not require Il confession; but an old
friend should not be cut off short in
this way. Where does it pinch:'
Nowhere -nowhere. cried Hagen,
half ont of humor. My happiness
would be complete, were not the moth
cr of my wife
/ Aha, The mother-in aw!' broke in
/ the doctor. You haye always descrlb-
ed her to me as Il most excellent per-
sou.
She is I'LL that | consider her a par
/ aaon of woman and mother.
! MY dear Hagen, then do not un.
derstand YOU
! My wife is an angel. Every day !
learn to esteem and love her more,
continued Hagen. MY mothcrin-law
is a very excellent woman; kind, com
plant, sclf.sacrlicing. She does every
thing to please me, yet
Again that mysterious yeti broke
in the doctor. Pray, speak ntcIhsl-
bly,
L do speak inlclligihly, SAID Hagen,
| She fosters and cherlshes me as her
son and luvorite. Every morning she
! prepares for NE most delicious coffee ;
at noon, she selects for me the most
/ delicious tidbits; in the evening, She
cuddles me like a child; she spolls me-.
We'll, that is not so terrible, said
Brose, laughing.
But she never leaves us alone to-
gether.' burst out Hagen, at last.
This is indeed, unpleasant
I she means it all right; but it is very
painful for me- continued Hagen.
She loves my ~ite dlstractedly, be-
cause she is her only child, and this
reconcies me to the condition again
and again; but this love becomes un
onfortabe, since my wife can not
, separate from her mother, either. |
reioiced like child in anticipation of
our wedding trip. | had to give it up,
because my wife insisted that her moth
er should accompany us.
You acted very prudcntIy,' said
Brose, in his dry, earnest manner.
Yes, was deiraudcd Of my wedding
trip, and now am being swindlel out
of my honeymoon! continued Hagen,
even more passionately. 'My wife can
not part sfrom her mother, nor the
mother from her child. have often
the feeling as though | were not the
husband of my wife or master in my
own houscl
Edmund, this is a bal state of af-
fairs said the doctor, stroking his
beard with his right hand. You are
all of you suffering from too much,
and, | may add, perverted, affection.
But have an idea! How would it do
! to marry your mother-in-law to some
body? She is not forty yet, is we'll
preserved, handsome woman, and, to
one who had not seen her certificate of
baptism, she would appear thirty at
the most
Are YOU mad?' cried Hagen.
'Why:'
INV wiro is tho nnly heir of her