Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-04-04
WIFE VS.. HUSBAND.

al tell you. Mrs. Merton, I am not go
ing to stand isr'
Mr.. Peveril Merton was short and
stout, with small hazel eyes, a rudy
complexion and a mustache the color of
hay. Dignity, or even its assumption,
suits some men: it didn't suit Mr.. Pew
eril Merrion.
"Dear me, Peveril, I'm sure you're
making a great fuss about nothing
said Mrs. Merrion with an impatient
toss of her head.
She vas as unlike her husband as pos
sible-a phenomenon you often come
across in married couples, where, in
stead Of like loving like, the strong
est practicable contrasts develop them
selves. Fanny Merton was slight and
rather tall, with miscellaneous blue eyes,
q complexion like freshly opened apple
blossoms and hair of the shining dark
brown that is almost black.
"You danced with George Harland
five times, Mrs. Merrish," said the in
dignant husband
''Only three times, Peveril. Only three
times and a propenade," pleaded Mrs.
Merrion, And what is a poor woman
to do when a gentleman asks her to
dancer Am / to make a courtesy and
say, No, l thank you, my husband isn't
willing"
Nonsense, Mrs. Merrion."
Just what | think myself-the alb
surdest nonsense in the world" demure-
Iy assented Mrs. Merton, arranging a
sprig of geranium in her belt.
"And your old lover. too Don't think
i am ignorant Of your past life, Mrs.
Merton" growled her husband
swell, my dear, how is the poor man
TO help that"
But a married woman Fanny. Have
you no respect for public opinion?"
Dear me" cried out the tornented
little woman, "one would think | had
broken one of the laws of the landl
What have | done, after all? Waltzed
three times with Mr.. Harland in a public
ball room, and let him take me down to
support"
"You have-firted with him. You, a
married woman, Mrs, Merton. with
your husband standing by scarcely able
to believe the evidence of his own eyes!'
But it isn't half go bad as it would
AdF0 DSCh u NY uubDdAAu llduIA / DSGn
standing by, is III"
Fanny, will you be s~erious?"
Il am as serious as | can be, Peveril,
unless l burst into tearsl If you want
me to cry, I'll do my best in that line. |
suppose you never airtY'
Il. Mrs. Merriong"
Fanny went Out of the room and closed
the door behind her with a degree of
emphasis that almost amounted to a
bang.
Its too badl" said she to herself, as,
safe behind the shelter of the damask
curtains, she watched her husband strut
down the street. his hat shining like
satin, his silk umbrella buttoned up
trinity. and his very boot heels redolent
of snug, middle aged responsibility.
Hes getting to be a perfect Othellol
And l won't endure itl'
So TO relieve her overcharged feelings
and quiet the electric current of nervous
agitation Fanny put on her hat and went
down town shopping.
As It CHANGED she was detained longer
than she had anticipated, and the weather
was settling down into a rainy dusk just
as she came opposite the house of IN old
schoolmate. now married and settled
like herself.
"Goodr" quoted Mrs. Fanny to herself.
"I1l go in and borrow a hood and water
proof cloak from Rosie Giles, and then
it's only a couple of blocks To tho cars,
and l shall be home in a quarter Of an
hour"
Rosie lent the hood and waterproof
cloak with ready good humor. and her
self assisted in the tying Of an a~ntiquated
blue veil over Mrs. MerrioD's blooming
face.
Il declare, Fanny" cried she, laugh
ing. you're transformed into a pretty
~incognita. | don't think your W hus-
band would know you in this guise."
perhaps not" said Fanny. "But |
must hurry home. Only see how dark
il is growing"
''Shall send a servant with your"
"Nonsensel AS if l was nfraidr'
And Fanny Merton ran laughing down
the steps.
As she entered the car, closely yelled
and wrapped in the dark folds Of the
waterproof cloak, a short, stout gentle
man rose to give her his seat, and with
an inward smile Mrs. Merrion recog
nized her lord and muster.
She accepted the cigility with a mute
~Hod-there was something in the com
icality Of the situation that impelled her
20 keep up the disguise.
"We're acting a little bit Of romance
IN real life" said she 3 herself. How
near and yet how fart Husband and
wife-yet for the time being perfect
strangers 20 each other.
an get out the block this side OF
home, and then, III ruiz all the way,