The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-11-20
HIS MOTHER.IN.LAW.

Ism I IN the least ike the KIM OF mOGner-
in-law they mean, you know"
Il hope not" said Mr.. Pendexter. 81
sincerely hope not, Camilla"
"You never called me by my whole
name BEFORE" sighed Mrs. Pendexter.
"You always said my dear Cammy.'"
every well, my dear Cammy," said
MILFORD. 81 shall certainly behave to
your mother as l would to any other
lady. If she is what she should be, all
right But always have resolved to be
master in my own house, and l always
will be-"
''My dear ma is a perfect lamb"
sobbed Camilla. 81 have her photograph
upstairs. I'll get it to show you"
"rve seen it," said Mr.. Pendexter,
with the remembrance of grim and an
cient matron in spectacles, with rutfled
cap on her head and prayer-book in her
hand, floating before his eyes. ''She
looks like a very excellent person, but"
81 did not know that you had ever
seen mas portrait" said Camilla. But
what, Henry Penny"
Henry Penny was pet name for her
spouse.
but the proof of the pudding is in
replied. WhereupOn he put on his over
coat and betook himself to his usual
affairs.
1t was a singular thing never to have
seen ones mother-in-law. Mr. PendeXter
began to feel that it was rather risky.
He had met Miss Spruce at the house of
a mutual friend. She was teaching a
school at the time. Her only living pa
rent, her mother, lived in California He
had rather rejoiced in the fact; and now
she had broken up housekeeping and
was coming to New York to live, with
them no doubt if she was invited to do
so.
IF she is as serious as she looks she'll
expect me to teach Bible class" sOlilO-
quized Mr.. PendeXter as he walked down
the street. She'll try to stop my cigars
and my glass of beer of an evening.
She'll consider my friends wicked young
men, and throw the euchre deck into the
fire. l know those goody- goody old
ladies by heart"
Suddenly, as he turned the corner,
face met his eye that brought memories
of long-departed days, of a Irritation
which might have resulted in an affair of
the heart. Mr.. Pendexter was not as
young as his wife. He had had his little
experiences.
What portly woman that was-cOuld
it be the same person?
He slightly lifted his hat; the lady
smiled, he bowed.
After all, the world is a small place."
said he to himself, and walked toward
her.
well, declare l never expected to
see you again." said the lady with a
laugh.
and l thought you still in San Fran
CISCO said Mr.. PendeXter. "What nice
talks we used to have, Mrs. Miller"
'Why, it's ten years ago, isn't it?''
cried Mrs. Miller.
Couldn't believe it. You look as
young as ever" said Mr.. Pendexter
ooh, when it comes to being told that
one looks as young as ever all hope is
over" said Mrs. Miller.
"Well, intended a compliment" said
Mr. PendeXter. I'm getting bald and
he took off his hat.
at only makes you look more like
Shakespeare" said Mrs. Miller.
''She always says such nice things
Said Mr.. PendeXter to himself.
The idea that he looked like Shaks-
peare had occurred to him before, but no
one else had ever told him that he did.
He felt flattered. A little pang of regret
pinched his heart. He had often felt
that he had made a great mistake in los
ing sight of Mrs. Miller, to whom he had
never been regularly introduced. They
had begun to speak in the street-cars
during blockade which provoked them
both. They had always spoken after
that. He judged that she was about his
own age, and knew she was a widow
There was charm about her that he had
never seen in any other woman.
And | think she told me she was
alone in the world" he said to himself
And | should not have been expecting
my mother-in-law to make my life
wretched-" His thoughts were running
away with him; he laughed.
Are you living in New York, Mrs.
Miller?'
"Oh, yes" she answered; "Tm going
to some friends after a while, but | am
at - hotel just now. l don't believe
in popping in on people tornado-fashion.
If they want me let them urge me,
say l."
Il wish my mother in-law had that
disposition said Pendexter to himself.
Aloud he said: II must call on YOU"
The lady laughed.
II haven't asked YOU" said she.
'But you'll let me in if | do cOme?'
said he. ''It's my duty to call on a
stranger"
All she said was: "Well, good-by."
During the day PendeXter was not |
quite himself. He had discovered that
his Camilla could pout. He feared the
unpleasant things that he had been told !
came to man with mOther-in-law. No !
doubt he should find her, grim and sar-
castle, in the parlOr on his return. He
did not like that photograph. No, he |
did not like it. lie thought he preferred |
being little late that night. And as he
went uptown the bright entrance of the
little hotel met his eye, and he stepped
out on the platform and stepped OFF on
the corner
Mrs. Miller was in, so the waiter told !
him; and she tripped into the parlor in
a dress of mauve silk that became her
nightly. Her hair was black, her eyes
were brown. She was no longer young,
but she was by no means old. She was
IN very high spirits, and they tiirted-
yes, flirted-despite the fact that Pen
dexter was married man-as they had
ten years ago in California. They had
supper together in the restaurant, and
after supper an idea occurred to Pen
dexter.
"You want to see the new comic opera
Mrs. Miller?n said he. Don't say no.
Get your wraps and come along. We're
a couple of old CalifOrnians, and must
not set up for ceremonies. You don't
need a chaperon dow, do your
81 should say not decidedly" said
Mrs. Miller. And i'll accept your in
vitation."
Shan't he home until very late. OBJ
liged to meet a man on business. Pro-