The Press., 1892-08-18
HIS MEDITERRANEAN,

sume healthy action. Try bottle. Price 50 cents at Taft's drug store. 4 HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW.
 "Oh, Milford, you won't regard me with aversion? You won't say things about mothers-in-law, will youY' little Mrs. Pendexter coaxed. Because she isn't in the least like the kind of mother l in-law they mean, you know" "I hope not" said MT. Pendextcr. 'sI sincerely hope not, Camilla"
 "You never called me by my whole name before," sighed Mrs. Pendexter. "You always said My dear Cammy.'" "Very we'll, my dear Calnmy," said Milford. "I shall certainly behave to your mother as would to any other lady. If she is what she ought to be, all right But I always have resolved to be master in my own house, and I always will be-"
 My dear ma is a perfect lamb" :" sobbed Camilla. 'I have her photo graph up stairs. I'll get it to show you. !" "I've seen it," said MT. Pendexter, 1 with the remembrance of grim and an- cient matron ill spectacles, with ruf1fed cap on her head and a prayer book in her hand, floating before his eyes. ''She looks like a very excellent person, 1 but
 ''I did not know that you. had ever seen mas portrait" said Camilla. 'Dut what, Henny Penny"
 Henny Penny was 8 pet name for her spouse.
 'But the proof of the pudding is the eating, Cammy, dear," her spouse re- piled. Whereupon he put on his over- coat and betook himself to his usual af- fairs.
 Vt was singular thing never to have seen ones mother-in-law. MT. Pendex- teT began to feel that 1t was rather risky. He had met Miss Spruce at the house of 8 mutual friend. She was teaching 8 school at the time. Her only living parent, her mother, lived in Cali fornia. He had rather rejoiced in the fact, and now she had brolAora -41 -hA,,aa- keeping 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 MT. Pendexter as he walked l down the street. Shell try to stop my cigars and my glass of beer of an even- ing. She'll consider my friends wicked young men, and throw the eucher deck into the fire. know those goody-goody old ladies by heart"
 Suddenly, as he turned the corner, a face met his eye that brought memories of long departed days, of irritation which might have resulted in an affair of the heart. MT. Pendexter was not as young as his wife. He had had his lit tie experiences.
 What a portly woman that was could it be the same person?
 He slightly lifted his hat; the lady l smiled; he bowed.
 After all the world is small place, 3 said he to himself, and walked toward her.
 Well, declare I never expected to see you again." said the lady with a laugh.
 "And I thought you still in San Fran cisco," said MT. 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 MT. Pendexter "Oh, when it comes to being told that one looks as young as ever all hope is 1 over," said Mrs. Miller "Well, I intended a compliment" said MT. Pendexter. ''Tm getting bald," and he took off his hat
 ''It only makes you look more like | Shakespeare" said Mrs. Miller. ''She always says such nice things" | said MT. Pendexter to himself. The idea that he looked like Shake speare had occurred to him before, but no one else had ever told him that he did. He felt fattered. A little pang of regret pinched his heart. He had often felt that he had made great mistake in losing 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.
 ssAnd I think she told me she was alone in the wcrld,' he said to himself .And should not have been expecting my mother-in-law to make my life wretched"- His thoughts were run ming away with him; he laughed
 ''Are you living in New York, Mrs. Miller?"
 ''Oh, yes," she answered; ''Tm going to some friends after awhile, but I am at - hotel just now. don't believe in popping in on people tornado fashion. If they want me let them urge me, say I. !"
 "I wish my mother-in-law had that disposition, said Pendexter to himself Aloud he said, ''I must call on you"
 The lady laughed.
 "I haven't asked you,' said she.
 But you'll let me in if I do comeY' said he. ''It's my duty to call on a stranger.
 ssAll she said was, "Well, goodby." 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 a man with mother-in-law No doubt he should find her, grim and sarcastic, in the parlor on his return. He did not like that photograph. No,