Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-01-23
MRS. RUSSEL'S OUTING.

have our row on the river after oil. |
was so afraid it would rain"
Thus spake Mrs. Picnic Russell TO
her young husband as she looked out
OF the window that bright June morn
ing when she had been bride three
months.
"Oh, yes, it is beautiful day." said
Mr.. Russell. tying his cravat at the
glass; "but I've promised Burrows and
Weldon 10 take drive with them, and
you see we'll put off our row."
Mrs. Russell said nothing; her pride
was up. She could not have reproach-
ed him with making an engagement
with others that broke upon it; but she
took her first matrimonial chill in those
words-her very first. Tom Russell
had been longer about it than most
men, but they all do it at last. Do
what? you ask. Well. you know, show
in some way that there is to be no more
of that delicate, never-forgetful atten-
ton which makes wife happier than
house, or land, or gold, or any precious
gift can. That it is his pleasure, not
hers, that is to be considered hence
forward.
And there was no apology; no ex-
plantations; he did not choose to do
what he said he would, and she was
not TO question him.
She did not But while they were
at breakfast she spoke for the first
time since her husband had put an end
To her bright anticipations OF some
sweet hours on the river with him.
II ho1 he
you do or not. shall probably find a
boy who can handle the oars. Or l
think can manage them myself, per-
haps."
Nonsense, Phemie," said Tom;
''you can't row-dVn't attempt it.
Wen go out some other day. How
ever, perhaps that little shaver at the
boat-house can take you out"
Perhaps" she said, and every wo-
man knows exactly how she felt, and
why she could not kiss her husband
warmly us he went out to keep his APP
pointment with his friends and leave
her for the day. He has done nothing
so very wrong, but 1T was something
she could not have done for a king
dom.
WELL" she s id to herself after half
an hour OF seclusion, in which she had
shed some very bitter tears-"Nell, ut
least he shall find do not care. l will
prove myself rs Indifferent to him as he
is TO me. / will go out in a boat with
the boy at the boat house and | will
pretend that l have enjoyed myself
very much, as he will, no doubt And
this is what it all comes to, is it? Well
might dear mamma tell me that ro-
nance was soon over. His male ac-
quaintances are more to him than | al
ready-fast young fellows, for whom
he has no friendship either"
Very angry by this time, she tossed
on her hat and walked toward the boat
house. The boy was not there; only u
sleepy old mau, who said he would be
away until noon; out she stood irres-
olutely beside her boat-hers. and
named after her. the "Phemie"-a
voice behind her uttered her name:
MRS Russell"
She turned. 1t was Decimus Roder
who had spoken, and who now held out
his hand with very charming smile.
He was middle-aged bachelor, but
very handsome.
Delightful morning. Mrs. RUSSELL
for row."
Yes" said Picnic. "I thought
should find the boy. but he's not here.
suppose can't manage the boat my
selfp'
"Oh, no. A glance at those little
hands tells me that" said Mr. Roder
''But here / am at your service. May
have the pleasurep"
''If it is wrong" said Mrs. Russell
TO herself, lit is Toms fault for leav-
ing me-"
Then she gave a smiling Yes.
please" to Mr.. Roder, and stepped
into the boat which he pushed lightly
from the shore.
Then, handling the oars deity, he
asked: where's Russell?-gone to
town."
"No," said Picnic; ''gone off with
some man."
with the chance of being herep''
said Mr. Roder. well, can't under.
stand that"
"But you will when you are mar
ried man. Mr. Roder," said the wife,
still smarting from the first wound to
her self-esteem. "You know, when
you've managed to make some lady
altogether your own, how"
She stopped. feeling that she was
not doing right in speaking thus TO
handsome Bachelor Roder, but she had
said enough. He had heard all he
wanted TO. One OF those men who
like firtations with married women
because they are less dangerous than
those with girls. who expect them to
eliminate in offers of heart and hand,
and more inexpensive to boot, he was
always on the lookout for momen t:
such as these and knew that a woman
is never so easily won into liking an
other man as when her husband ha'
been neglected.. and her heart is sore
and he comes with the balm OF flattery
TO soothe it.
al think must be different from
most men," he said. people say
such things to me. But il l had 9
wife know that / should"
He broke off suddenly, looked into
Phemie's eyes, and gave little sigh
and SO they rowed away together
down the river.
Mr.. Roder was a good oarsman, and
they had gone long way when GER
tain flowers upon the bank tempted