The record-union., 1895-12-12
"A LOVERS QUARREL. /"

L had left my bed and progressed so
far toward recovery that l was able on
especially fine days to take a short
stroll in the garden. 1 was growing
weary of the close confinement, SO the
next time the doctor came l begged
pathetically for a little more freedom
Just one tiny little walk with Jim,' 1
plead in my most wheedling tones, but
the NJ. ID. is obdurate and shakes his
head. But l am well, quite WE'LL" 1
cry wrathfully, glaring upon him.
Let me see your tongue" is his sole
reply Whereupon 1 thrust it out to its
fullest extent as a sort of compensation
for my grievances. The doctor is a
small, round, roly-poly man, who wears
huge spectacles and is given to taking
copious doses of snuff. He takes one
now and gives vent to sneeze which
causes me to jump at least two feet.
Pats me indulgently on the back, pro-
ceeding which 1 detest with all my
heart, and tells me to be a good girl
and in a couple of days he will let me
take another walk
Yes, yes cry eagerly. Where? %
Around the gardens, finishes the
doctor, taking another pinch of snuff
before L can say anything he takes
his departure, while mamma goes for
her AFTERNOON siesta, leaving me to my
own devices.
Discomfort has claimed me for its
own. L glance about and wonder what
On earth L can do. There is the couch
where have lain for so long; it stands
IN the sunny window and is piled high
with cushions and fur rugs, while books
and papers are scattered about 1t was
all very inviting once but l am tired of
1t all now. Even Socrates, the pug.
and Abadella, the big white angora
cat who lie together in peaceful har-
mony on the broad window sill, fail to
interest me. l sit on the edge of the
couch nursing my knees and meditat-
ing mischief
Suddenly an inspiration seized upon
me. 1t is no less than an idea to go
10 inns room up stairs and read one
or those wicked French novels which lie
IN tempting pile upon his table. jim,
py the way, L consider the best and
dearest fellow in all the world We
nave been engaged for a year and when
L am quite we'll we are to be married
NO sooner does the little tempting de-
mon enter my head than | give an
audible chuckle of satisfaction and
start forth to do it's bidding. First of
Gil NC quite sure lIldl mamma
is sound asleep. l tip-toe softly across
the room and listen at the door. All is
quiet within. Once more I step lightly
across the room, this time toward the
door leading to the hall. My hand is
on the knob. Liberty is mine. When
all at once Socrates gives a shrill, sharp
bark and comes careering fondly to-
ward me.
Socrates, shut up, or / will strangIe
WhICnaT fiarnalxy foe, h
SIDES meekly into a corner. l gain the
hall. l skip blithely toward the stairs
leading into the upper rooms. If only
dear mamma could see her angel child
now, l think with unconcealed joy
How those horrible stairs creak Half
way up l crouch breathless I hear
heavy footsteps which prove to belong
to Ann Marian, our hired help. l
mentally consign Ann Marian to trop-
ical regions and proceed upwards l
run quickly through the hall and open
the door at the end of the passageway
which leads down the servants stairs
to the library.
Having taken this precaution, 1 feel
that for the present the coast is clear
where can make my selection undis-
turbed. l pick one up at random and
stand in the open doorway, my back
turned toward the front stairs The
book was, as the French say, extremely
risQue. AS l glance through its pages 1
dc not wonder that jim had no desire
for me to indulge in his favorite litera-
ture, but just the Same its very naughti-
ness fascinates me. So absorbed do 1
become that l do not hear the front
door open and close nor am 1 aware of
JlmS presence until he stands before
me. Then l give guilty start and
clasp the book tightly to my breast
giaring upon him defiantly. Instantly
he takes in the situation; an ugly look
comes over his face.
Give me that book" he saws. hold
ing out his hand
81 won't" l replied clutching it more
firmly
He takes one step toward me; the next
instant I turn and fly down the back
stairs while he follows close upon my
heels. Through the library we rush.
Papa is lying on the couch but sits I'D
to applaud the race. Through the
music room and straight into the par
lor with its dainty bits of bric-a-brac
and delicate ornaments which are the
pride of mammals heart. Mamma, who
sees where we are heading, shriegs
dismally.
Not in the parlor; any place, but
not there" Thus admonished / turn in
retreat. Jim is standing with out
stretched arms, but I dodge and seek
refuge under the piano. Jim, who
stands just six feet, while 1 am a di-
minutive specimen of humanity, at
tempts to follow, but miscalcuIates the
distance and in consequence gives his
Uranium a terrific bump on the sharp
edge of the piano. / utter an unsympa-
thetic snicker which enrages him. He
looks red and flushed and rubs his ach-
ing head, upon which bump of no
mean dimensions is making it's appear
ance. This accident, / think gleefully,
will settle my young man effectually,
but / hadn't counted on his determine
ton.
"Will you come out of there and give
me that book?" he demands in no gen
tie tones.
mo, 1 will not" I retort from my
shelter.
"Then I shall wait until you you do,
he says calmly, seating himself where
he can watch my every movement.
His logged persistency maddens me.
HE shall not have that old book now"
I say to myself. No, not if l have to
eat it." ] eye it disapprovingly. [
don't think it will make a very appetiz-
ing meal.
Presently see an opportunity to es-
cape Jim isn't looking. Very quietly I
slip from under the piano. / crawl
softly across the floor to the door, but al
that moment his eagle eye is upon me,
and once more he follows in hot pur-
suit. This time we clatter down the
back stairs to the kitchen. Ann Marian
stops in her work to bet dollars to
doughnuts on Jim. This is ungrateful
on Ann Mariahs part, considering the
fact that it was only yesterday that l
presented her with my last years sum
mer hat. However, I cannot stop to
argue the question now, but fly out
toward the front yard. I am getting
dreadfully winded. [ cast the book far
from me over the adjoining fence, and
lean helplessly against the railing wait
ing for my pursuer. On he comes; there