St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-14
WIFE VS.. HUSBAND.


hav. 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. Merton, with an impatient
toss OF her head.
She was as unlike her husband as
possible-a phenomenon you often come
across in married couples, where, in
stead of like loving like" the strongest
practicable contrasts develop them
selves. Fanny MERTON was slight and
rather tall, with mischievous blue eyes.
complexion like freshly opened apple
blossoms, and hair of the shining dark
brown that is almost black.
You danced with George Hariand
five times, Mrs. Merrion," said the in
dignant husband.
"Only three times, Peveril. Only
sthree times and promenade" pleaded
Mrs. Merrion. "And what is a poor
woman 10 do when gentleman asks
her to dance? Am to make courtesy
and say, No. thank you: my husband
isn't Wiling"
IN 0nStnSe, MIS-. MERTON.
"Just what 1 think myseIf-the alb
surdest nonsense in the world demure
~ assented Mrs. Merton, arranging a
Sprig of geranium in her belt.
And your old lover, too. Don't think
] am ignorant of your past life, Mrs.
Merrion," growled her husband.
We'll, my dear, how is the poor man
to help that?"
But married woman, Fanny. Have
you no respect for public Opinion?"
Dear me-" cried out the tormented
little woman, lone would think had
broken one of the laws of the land!
What have | done, after all? Waited
three times with MIR. Harland in 4 pub
lie ball room, and let him take me down
to superb
"You have-firted with him. You. a
married woman, Mrs. Merton, with
your husband standing by. scarcely able
to helieye the evidence of his own
eyes!"
but it isn't half so bad as it would
have been if my husband hadn't been
standing by, is it?''
Fanny, will you be serious?"
al am as serious as j can be. Peveril.
unless burst into tearsi Ii you want
me to cry, Pll do my best in that line.
! suppose you never f1irt.''
II. Mrs. Merrion?"
Fanny went out of the room and
closed the door behind her with de-
gree of emphasis that almost amounted
to bang.
Its too bad" 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 redoIent
of snug. middle-aged responsibility.
"Hp's getting TO be a perfect Othello!
And / won't endure It!o
$50, to relieve her overcharged feel
ings and quiet the electric current of
nervous agitation, Fanny put OH her
hat and went down town shopping.
AS it CHANGED, she vas detained
longer than she had anticipated, and
the weather was settling down into
rainy dusk just as she came opposite the
mouse of an Old scilOolmate, now mar
ried and settled like herself.
"Goodm quoted Mrs. Fanny to her
self. "l'll go in and borrow hood and
waterproof cloak from Rosie GILES. and
then it's only a couple of blocks to the
cars-and shall be home in quarter
of an hour"
Rosie lent the hood and waterproof
cloak with ready good humOr, and her.
bCii ttoSIotCu Ill tNIuG vi dH dt-
tiquated blue veil over Mrs. Merton 8
blooming face.
" | declare, Fanny" cried she. laugh
Ing, you're transformed into a pretty
incogn ia. ! don't think your own hus-
band would know you III this guise.''
perhaps not" said Fanny. But ]
must hurry home. Only see how dark it
is growing"
'Shall L send servant with your"
Nonsense! As if was afraidp'
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, short, StOut gentle
man rose TO give her his seat, and with
an inward smile Mrs. Mcrrion recog-
niZed her lord and master
She accepted the civiIity with a mute
nod-there was something III the
comicality of the situation that impeled
her to keep up the disguise.
We're acting little bit of romance
in real life" sal d she TO herself. How
near and yet how far! Husband and
wife-yet for the time being perfect
strangers to each other.
''I'll get out the block this side of
home, and then. if run all the way,
j can perhaps get there before Peveril
does, and thereby escape a lecture a
yard long about the 'prOpriety of mar
ried ladies being out after dark To
hear the blessed man talk, one would
suppose that nothing in the world was
Improper for unmarried ladies'"
She beckOned to the conductor-the
car stopped.
She sprang ont. but TO her surprise.
not to say dismay, Peveril Merton
stepped nimbly out after her.
Don't be in such hurry. ma'am. -
said he, in low, insinuating voice,
"Allow me to see you safe home. Pretty
girls shouldn't be out alone after dark.
Aha! you think I'm wizard, but such
a little white hond as yours can only
correspond TO pretty face. Take my
arm, miss"
Mrs. Merton took his arm accord
ingly, CONFUSED with inward mirth.
He pressed it after most friendly fash
ion.
Don't walk too FAST said he. "Let
me carry your bag"
Mrs. Merton gave it to him. They
were nearing their own door when,
TO the surprise of the gentleman, who
had, perhaps, expected TO walk half a
dozen blocks or SO further, his fair com
panion paused on the threshold.
"1ou-you're not stopping here" he
exclaimed, nearly stumbling over the
ferrule of his own umbrella.
Yes, am" said the lady, in a high
treble voice, quite different frJm her
usual accents. II am going to see Mrs.
MERTON and tell her of your un-war-
rantable-conduct."
''Oh, don't do that cried the hus-
band in furry. "Just think minute
how foolish it would be, and how very
uncomfortable
But shallr' squeaked the assumed
falsetto. "a man of your age"-Mr.
Merton twisted himself uneasily about
fought to know enough to let the
pretty girls alone! You need lesson,
strand you shall receive one"
So saying, she pulled the bell vigor-
ously.
as Mrs. Merton at home?'
mo, ma'am," said Norah, "she amt
got home from shopping vets
MIR. Merton drew an audible sigh of
relief
mo matter" said the relentless little
Nemesis. ''Fll come in and wait for