The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1892-09-23
WIFE vs.. HUSBAND.

Il tell you, Mrs. Merrion, | am not go
ing to stand itr
Mr. Peveril Merrion was short and
stout, with small hazel eyes, a ruddy
complexion and a mustache the color of
hay Dignity, or even its assumption,
suits some men: it didn't suit Mr.. Pew
eril Merton
Dear me, Peveril, I'm sure you're
making great fuss about nothing"
said Mrs. Merton, with an impatient
toss of her head
She was 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 Merrion 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 Harland
five times, Mrs Merrion," said the in
dignant husband
"Only three times, Peveril. Only three
times and a promenade" pleaded Mrs.
Merton. And what is poor woman
to do when a gentleman asks her to
dance? Am ! to make a courtesy and
say, No, thank you, my husband isn't
willing.
Nonsense, Mrs Merrion."
Just what think myself-the alb
surdest nonsense in the world, demure-
ly assented Mrs Merrion, arranging a
sprig of geranium in her belt.
And your old lover. too Don't think
am ignorant of your past life, Mrs
Merton, growled her husband
We'll, my dear, how is the poor man
to help THAR
but married woman, Fanny. Have
you no respect for public opinion?"
Dear me. cried out the tormented
little woman. zone 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-flirted with him. You, a
married woman Mrs Merrion, with
your husband standing by scarcely able
to believe the evidence of his own eyesr
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?"
Il am as serious as | can be, Peveril
unless burst into tears! If you want
me to cry, I'll do my best in that line.
suppose you never flirt?
Il, Mrs Merrion?"
Fanny went out of the room and CLOSED
the door behind her with a degree Of
emphasis that almost amounted to {
bang
Its too badl" said she to herself, as
safe behind the shelter of the damasl
curtains, she watched her husband stru
down the street, his hat shining lik,
satin, his silk umbrella buttoned VI
trinity, and his very boot heels redolen
of snug, middle aged responsibility
i"He's getting to be a perfect Othello
And | won't endure itp'
So to relieve her overcharged feeling
and quiet the electric current of nervOu
agitation Fanny put on her hat and wen
down town shopping.
AS it CHANGED she was detained longe
than she had anticipated, and the weathe
was settling down into a rainy dusk jus
as she came opposite the house of an oil
schoolmate, now married and settle
like herself
"Goodr' quoted Mrs. Fanny to herself
'I'll go in and borrow hood and water
proof cloak from Rosie GILES, and the
it's only a couple of blocks to the car
! and l shall be home in a quarter of a
hour"
: Rosie lent the hood and waterproof
cloak with ready good humor, and he
self assisted in the tying of an antiquate
blue veil over Mrs. Merrion's bloomin
face.
II declare, Fanny" cried she, laugl
ing, you're transformed into a prett
, Iincognita. i don't think your own hu
band would know you in this guise."
perhaps not" said Fanny. "But
must hurry home. Only see how dan
, it is growing"
"Shall l send a servant with your
! "Nonsensel AS if was afraidP
And Fanny Merton ran laughing dow
the steps.
AS she entered the car. closely veil,