The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1896-03-07
MOTHER-IN-LAW.


st Juanito. Dona Severiana sits at q nt-
tie distance, knitting stockings
Jusnito signs.
"What's the matter, lover" asks Isolina.
"I'm thinking of how happy we shall be
Isolina looks down at the door and
bushes.
"Do YOU love met" he inquiries.
"More than my own life" replies she.
Dona Seyeriana contemplates the lovers,
with tears Of joy In her eyes.
"How good your mother Is, whispers
Juanito 70 Isolina.
MAMMA is an angel, whispers Isolins-
at should like to clasp her to my heart,
says Juanito. 81 should like her to re-
gard me as her true and loving son."
Dona Seyeriana, who has overheard the
ing the stockings aside, with emotion pre-
cipitates herself into Juanito's arms, say
ing:
"Do not think of me as your mother-in-
law. Look upon me as loving friend, a.
an affectionate sister, as
Isolina, Juanito and Dona Severiana TO
main looked In each others arms, she'd
ding tears of JOY.
Juanito and Isolina are eating fried eggs
out of the same plate. Each gives the 9TH
er mouthfuls alternately as though they
were babies. Dona Severians sits at the
other side Of the table and watches them
out Of the corner of her eye.
do you love met" oooes Isolina.
"With all my heart" replied Juanito.
"And you are happyf"
"Oh, ever 50 happyr
"And you will never cease to care for
mef"
Newer
Dona Seyeriana shifts about uneasily In
her chair.
"Juanito," she says, suddenly address
ing her son-in-law, al must speak to you
In very plain terms. 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 unfayorably."
"Isn't she my wife, Juanito plucks up
the courage to inquire.
Admitting the fact" replies Dona
Severiana, with decision; admitting the
fact, 1t isn't at all proper for you to make
an exhibition Of yourselves In the balcony.
Why, only this morning 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
your
"WellY"
az repeat, you are abusing your prerog-
stives as husband of my daughter"
Juanito frowns. Then he eats O hot po-
tato In silence.
Isolina whispers In his ear:
Don't be vexed, Juanito, dear. Poor
mammal It's only because she Is 50 fond
Of me-"
Juanito ssvagely takes a mouthful Of
bread, and, in doing 80, bites his finger.
Snatching his hand away in pain, It hap
pens to strike his mother-in-laW's cheek.
VILLAIN" she cries, you have struck
meP'
Isolina tries to calm her mother. juan
ito protests his innocence Of any wrong
intention.
"He has raised his hand against me-"
declares Dona Seyerians-
mo, mamma, dear, 1t was an accident"
Isolina assures her.
Dona Severiana at length permits her
self to be tranquillzed and seats herself at
the table, carefully and ostentatiously
wrapping up her cheek in a handkerchief.
Poor mammal" whispers Isolina to
her husband. ''Sbe is SO good. Don't
you think so, Juanitos''
And Juanito murmurs:
"Humr'
JuAnito enters In bad humor. throws
his hat and cane on the sofa, and, seating
himself, takes q newspaper out of his
pocket and begins to read.
1solina Is sewing. Dona Seyerfana 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-
dayr inquiries Juanito.
Lunch will be ready in due time. {" an
nounces Dona Severiana.
II wasn't talking to you"
"Juanitoi Pleased says Isolina I'm a
pleading tone.
Let him alone. Let him alone % saws
her mother maiestically. Let him insnlt
me. Let him strike me. shall say moth
ing"
Juanito mutters something and escapes
into the dining room, shutting the door
with violence after him.
The Maid tentering) Lunch Il ON thu
table.
Dona Seyeriana-Come, Isolina. Come
and take lunch and don't worry Yourself
about that man. He isn't worthy Of anv
consideration whatever.
Isolins-0h, deari
They pass into the dining room and
sat themselves ct the table.
Juanito (pushing back his chairl-This
II unbearablei
Isolina-whatf
JuAnito-Fried eggs every day, nothing
nut fried eggsi I'll not have any lunch
at ell. ---.,''''
Dona Severiaha-So much the bester
Juanito-Hold your tonRuel
Dona Severiana-T don't choose 20.
Isoina-oh, dear, how unhappy I ami
But. J1Anito. love, stay and take lunch
with n, WON'T yous
Jnanito--No. won't I'm full Of fried
- up % my neck
a cipute lzfcr the slamnlng Of the
< {oor 1nnoonoes the dep1rtars Of Ju-