The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-17
MOTHER-IN-IAW.

e MUIHER-lN-IA W.
Juanito gazes at Isolina. Isolina gazes
at Juanito Dona Severiana sits at lit
tie distance, knitting stockings.
Juanito signs
''What's the matter, IoveP'' asks Isolina
''I'm thinking of how happy we shall be
when we're married"
Isolina looks down at the floor and
bushes.
do you love me?'' he inquiries
More than my own 1ifel'' replies she.
Dona Severiana oontemplates the lovers,
with tears Of joy in her eyes.
"How good your mother is, I" whispers
Juanito to Isolina.
Mamma is an angel 3" whispers Isolina.
81 should like to clasp her to my heart, -
says Juanito. II should like her to re-
gard me as her true and loving son. -
Dona Severiana, who has overheard the
conversation, rises to her feet, and, throw
ing the stockings aside with emotion pre-
cipitates herself into Juanito's arms, say
ing:
f'Do not think of me as your mother-in-
law. Look upon me as a loving friend, as
an affectionate sister, as
Isolina, Juanito and Dona Severiana re-
main locked in each others arms, she'd
ding tears Of joy.
Juan1to ana 1Sol1na are eating rr1ed eggs
out OF the same plate. Each gives the 9TH
er inouthfuls alternately as though they
were babies. Dona Severiana sits at the
other side of the table and watches them
out of the corner of her eye.
do you love me?'' cooes Isolina.
''With all my heart,'' replied Juanito.
and you are happyf'
"Oh, ever SO happy!''
"And you will never cease to care for
me?'
"N-e-v-e-r"
Dona Severiana shifts about uneasily in
her chair.
"Juanito," she says, suddenly address,
ing her son-in-law, 81 must speak to you
in very plain terms. I am her MOTHER
Juanito opens his eyes in alarm, and
Dona Seyeriana continues severely:
These loving demonstrations are doing
harm to Isolina. She is young, and doesn't
realize what she is doing The neighbors
have begun to criticise her unfavorably."
Isn't she my wife?'i Juanito plucks up
the courage to inquire.
Admitting the fact replies Dona
Severiana, with decision; admitting the
fact, it isn't at all proper for you to make
an exhibition of yourselves in tho balcony.
Why, only this morning I watched you
kiss her 25 times in five minutes, while
the policeman on the corner stood in a
kind of trance and never took his eyes of
you'll
s'WelI?''
81 repeat, you are abusing your prerog-
atives as husband of my daughter
Juanito frowns. Then he eats hot DO
tato in silence.
Isolina whispers in his ear:
Don't be vexed, Juanito, dear. Poor.
mammal It's only because she is so fond
of me-
Juanito savagely takes a mouthfuI of
bread, and, in doing SO, bites his finger.
Snatehing his hand away in pain, it hap
pens to strike his mother-in-law' cheek.
VILLAIN, she cries, you have struck
me!''
Isolina tries to calm her mother. Juan
ito protests his innocence of any wrong
intention.
HE has raised his hand against me-"
declares Dona Severiana.
mo, mamma, dear, it was an accident, -
Isolina assures her
Dona Severiana at length permits her
self to be tranquilized and seats herself at
the table, carefully and ostentatiously
wrapping up her cheek in a handkerchief.
Poor mammal whispers Isolina to
her husband. fEShe is so good. Don't
you think so, Juanito?''
And Juanito murmurs:
HUMP
Juanito enters in bad humor, throws
himself, takes newspaper out of his
pocket and begins to read.
Isolina is sewing. Dona Severiana fans
herself with lamp shade, SO great is her
absence of mind.
Are we going to have lunch, or aren't
we going to have lunch in this house to-
day?' inquiries Juanito.
Lunch will be ready in due time,'' an
nounces Dona Severiana.
81 wasn't talking to yOu''
"Juanito! Please!'' says Isolina In a
pleading tone.
"Let him alone. Let him alone, - says
her mother majestically. LET him insult
me. Let him strike me. shall say moth
ing"
into the dining room, shutting the door
with violence after him.
The Maid (entering)-Lunch is on the
table
Dona Severiana-Cone, Isolina Come
and take lunch and don't worry yourself
about that man. He isn't worthy of any
consideration whatever.
Isolina-Ob, dear!
They pass into the dining room and
seat themselves at the table.
.Juanito (pushing back his chair)-This
is unbearablel
Isolina-What?
Juanito-Fried eggs every day, nothing
but fried eggsl I'll not have any lunch
at all
Dona Severiana-So much the better.
Juanito-Hold your tonguel
Dona Severiana-I don't choose to.
Isolina-Oh, dear, how unhappy 1 am
But, Juanito, love, stay and take lunch
with US, won't you?
Juanito-Nc, I won't. I'm full of fried
eggs up to my neck.
A minute later the slaInming of the
front door announces the departure of Ju-
anito.
Juanito makes his way to the English
cafe, and seating himself at one of the ia
bles calls the waiter.