The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-07-29
OUR FIRST TIFF.
An Unexplained Letter That
Caused Many Unhappy Days.

~ DS SuIC, IL was l1t LlUSt dDSuEt
thing in the world, my going into &C
stasics over that stuffy little fat where
Ted and l first went to housekeeping
but taking into consideration my for
mer life it is not to be wondered at
An orphan, dependent upon an agcc
aunt who had be~grudged me the very
bite ! ate, / vas determined to make my
way in the world, coming to the great
city of New York to exc out a scanty
subsistence as a teacher of music. A
cherries furnished room with meals in
a third-class restaurant to girl scarcely
out of her teens, this mode of living
possessed but little a or poetry.
must tell you how | melted. One
of my pupils requested, rs a special
favor, that I drop into BIS on my
way homeward, and match some velvet.
! remember the color, a peculiar shade
of green, and how extremely polite the
salesman was. You see it was Ted. lie
had fallen in love at first sight, he told
me afterward, and asked me if | did moi
think 1t stupid of him when I asked for
green that he should have shown me
crushed strawberry. But then, people
in love make just such mistakes.
This piece" he said, holding up the
folds Of rich velvet, sis the nearest we
have"
took my glove off in order to be bet
ter able to judge the quality. In com
pairing the sample our hands touched;
| raised my eyes 10 meet a pair of hon.
est brown ones gazing down with I'M
feigned admiration.
My success as a shopper led to my pu.
pills frequently requesting me TO step
into BIS. In this way Ted and
had an opportunity to become acquaint-
cd, An attachment sprung up between
us that soon ripcned into love. Tie
asked me to become his wife in straight
forward, honest fashion, telling me of
his ambitions for the future. He had
little to offer but his love. What more
could I ask2 told him Yes"
My worldly possessions comprised
one trunk. which j carefully packed
and sem to my future home. Nothing
now remainedbut to inform my sour
visaged" landlady hat I was going, re-
ceiving in reply the shortest and curtest
of: Very well, miss; suit yourself"
We were married quietly in the little
parsonage across the street, one bright
morning. with the sunlight falling
athwart my dress of plain serge, devoid
of all ornamentation save a bunch of
flowers gift from the groom. Ted's
income would not permit us to indulge
in the luxuries of a bridal tour. We
went directly to our new home. How
bright it was in comparison to that
dingy furnished room. What a bright
little kitchen, with a wonderful wood
box of Ted's own invention, so ar
ranged with gay chintz that it served
as a settee as well.
Both useful and ornamental, like
you, my little wife, said my husband,
STOPPING to kiss me fondly.
A bright fire burned in the sitting
room, as it was still cold weather, Ted
having made arrangements with the
janitress to have everything in readi-
ness for my homecoming, even to the
great willow rocker drawn close to the
fire, and the canary that seemed to pour
forth a song of welcome.
To a girl accustomed to the luxuries
of a home, who left it with a mothers
kiss, a fathers blessing, Ted's humble
efforts would be as naught. The walls
might prove crampcd and mean, the
stairway a trifie dark and steep; but to
me. coming from hat cherries lodging
house, it was all sunshine, and, throw
ing my arms about Ted's neck, | wept
for very joy.
We had be q married one year. Tel
had received promotion. We still lived
in the little fiat in Harlem. Perhaps in
a year or two we could afford better
quarters: as yet we must be content.
The holidays were approaching. I
remember | was cmbroidering a pair of
slippers for Ted, and / had such diff
Guilty to keep them out of sight. l
wanted to surprise him. A gift loses
one-half its charm when the one for |
whom it is intended runs across it in a
state of incompleteness- My gift should
share no such fate. / would hide his
old slippers IN Christmas morning. On
searching he would find the new ones,
oh "biSl CdNu Aoot dilu ltdl was NONtH |
with lore and fond memories
The shriil whistle of the postman in
terrupted my reveries. i was not in
in his coming, as we were not
over%burdened with mail matter. There
was only one letter for Ted. How very
beautifully it was written! "Mr. Edward
What character in that e"
roaa in fha 1Dtrn tr-, al fr0lra - /
M" and yet it vas a woman's
How stranger I exclaimed, turning
it over and over as if l would read its
contents through the envelope. Ted
has no female relatives; from whom
then can it be? OF course" / reasoned,
it npon the little sideboard,
''he will tell me all about it when he
comes home"
Through the livelong day. found my
self thinking Of the letter. Before my
Eyes would appear that ~delicately
address: Mr.. Edward Boggs."
What n long day, to be sure, and how
gladly | listened to Ted's footsteps in
he hallway. Placing the letter on his
,late. l secreted myself behind the door
n just such a position that / could note
very changing expression of his face,
.helight falling upon it.
Rita. Rita!' he called, not finding
ne in my accustomed place.
Receiving no response, ne seated him
in his easy chair and began to read
he evening paper, when his eyes rested
lpon the letter. He tore it hastily open,
his face beamed with pleasure as
perused its contents. When finished,
searchingly around, he tore
he missive to atoms and flung it away.
stepped from my hiding place to meet !,
ny husbands look of displeasure as he ,
aid:
Il do wish, Rita, you would not be so
hildish as TO indulge in "a game of hide
nd seek! Did you hear me call you?" G
e added. G
We ate our meal in silence. One lit G
lie cloud had come across what had S
itherto been Q eloudless sky. =
81 am going ont on business" said o
y husband, kissing me rather eolaS. ! /