The Somerset reporter., 1891-01-22
SELECTED.
PukCTUAL ToA DOT.

PUkCTUAL ToADoT.
The trouble began As soon as we were
married-nav, even tefore had been en-
gagged to Cafley long enough to learn bis
weakness pretty we'll. and as our wedding
dav approached began to tremb|e.
"Charley, said, as we parted the night
before, don't be late tomorrow, what
ever you do
Good Heavens, Leila! what do you
take me for?" said Charley. II ever a
man was ready for anything"
(which you never were since l knew
you," l said. Il believe you would
manage to be late to your own funeral"
"rhat would not depend quite so much
upon my Own volition," said Charley,
laughing. MAKE your mind easy, it'll.
woman; shall be In time
/ was by no convinced Of it, but |
could say no more. At first had thought
of being married in the English styl., but
| did no. fancy he idea of waiting at the
chance rails for Charley. The oily safe
thing seemed to b to secure him before
we left the house.
Two O'Clock was the hour fixed for the
wedding, and AS Il c hour app osched, OF
course | was Ia turmoil. l was sure
hat the hair dresser was late. but Aunt
Fan convinced me that the appointtd
hour had not yet arrived, He came
promptly on the stroke of the clock, and
then all vas hurry and worry until my
toilet was completed. l WAS ready, from
the 81 ray of orange lessons which fas
tened my veil, to the rosette on my .slip-
per but Charley had not come.
ats too bad said. HE promised
| To;t f,,I la, IN, ti,,. No
somebody to look him up
"Dear child !" child Aunt Fan, in te'-
ror, "whatever you do don't cry. Blush
tlushing eyes are decided mistake.
There is plenty of time. 1t is Ily half
past one."
But he might be here" cried, 81 SIN
ready, and why isn't he? It's too bad"
Que great tear FLASHED down upon the
b. ocatcd satin of my dress. That fright
ened me, and resclut' ly repressed the
rest while Aunt Fan carefully dried the
spot with her lace handkerchief. 1t was
complet, ly faced hut still Charley did
| nos come. Then fell into a stony des-
| pair.
"He won't come at sl,' said "There
WI be 10 wedding, and l shall be the
laughing stock of every body"
my dear Leila" said Aunt Fan, 1--WE
are not in England. You can be marie
at any time, and it is not two yeti
But just on the stroke" said.
Just then the cuckoo clock shouted out
two absurd notes. moment afterward,
the DOR bell rang, and Charley walked
in calm and composed as If had not been
enduring agonies.
"ChaJley! Charley! how could your
| cried, and then stopped and bit my lip
10 keep back the tears which rushed to
my eyes.
"Whet is III" said Charley looking
utterly bewldered.
Instead of booking ashamed, when be
understood the state of affairs, he began
to laugh. my dear child,' he said, 'the
clocks were striking two as came up the
steps. said would be on time, and |
am"
| The wedding journey was not period
of unt lloyed bliss for me. Charley new.
er missed train or a boat, but he was
never more than just In time, SO that
was kept in constant terror. To the
hours for meals he paid not the slightest
sttenticn. When | reminded him of
Of them. he merely inquired whether
was hungry. II could not say that
was, he laughed and said, "Thel why
hurry? what is the use of being In hotel
if we cannot take our own timer" As If
punctuality were not virtue In itself.
1t was relief to me when we came
home snd settled down at last TO begin
ife In earnest we had one little quarrel
about the furnishing of our house. |
wanted clock In every room, to which
Charley decidedly objected.
Thine was made for slaves" he said.
why should l be constantly reminded
of my bonds? When am down town |
must be punctusl and energetic and u
score of other things. l come home for
relaxation and want to forget all annoy
4nces. Have a clock In the kitchen by all
means, and put one, II you choose, in
he servants bedroom. For the rest, we
have our Watches and what possible need
have we for more?'
yielded, but made up my mind then
which of Charley's faults was likely to
| give me the most trouble.
Charley was always good natured, l
| will say that about him. On the who lie,
though, am not sue that that was not
the most aggravating part of it. l al
ways made point OF being ready before
| the time, when we we we're going any
where, hoping that my silent example
would have its eT.ct, bnt it was of no
| use. "What! going already, little We
mani" Charlie would say. Then pull.
ing out his watch and looking at 1t, "Ob,
We need not start for an hour yet; plenty
of time"
I'll en- he would throw hims eff into
chair and rat le away about snythiug or
nothing, while felt myself growing
more and more nervous every minute.
had made up my mind that nothing
should induce me tn quarrel with him
quarrtling is at once foolish and vulgar
and never did. As the tine drew on,
however, would say, "Charley, ought
you not to be getting ready?'
oh, there's no hurry" was the iuvar-
liable reply-'time enough" AT last,
no wever, he would rouse himstl IT, look
at his watch, yawn, stretch, and then rise
slowly from his chair.
"That bonnet Is very becoming.
suppose that is why you wesr 1t so long"
he said on one such occasion. Then he
went out of the room laughing, and l
heard him moving about overhead In the
deliberate way which nearly drove me
frantic.
The worst Of 1t was that he always did
manage to be Just In time. II l could
OF ly have convicted him of being just too
late for once, should have had some
thing TO fsll hack upon In our arguments,
but ~ 1t was had nothing to take held Of.
Things had gone on this way for two
or three months, did not suppose that
Charley cared. or. indeed, saw, how l
frttted about 1t. tried hard to hide my
irritation for I really loved him, and did
not wish to annoy, still less to ALLEVIATE
him, but l suppose that my effects were
In vain. We were talking about a recep-
ton to which We were going in the eve.
ming. and I said -
Now, Chnlsy. dear, won't YOU be
ready in time, just for oncef You do
make me waste SO much time waiting for
you"
Charley laughed as usual, aud was 60
lug to mske one Of bis careless retorts,
but he stopped suddenly.
We have been married four months
haven't We L. liai" be said.
Four months today said promptly.
1T was the 9Th Of August, and this Is the
9th Of Dee EN-. er.
"Aud 10 all that time you have not been
able TO cure me Of my dreadful faultf
Poor little grill Your hair will be grey
10 year ct this rate. I'm going TO try
Ithe eject Of turning over new leaf. and
go how We both like it,
! did not know exactly what he meant
IN, haf bagAn - nndarstand Whaa -