The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-03-20

her and made her sob silently until she
fell asleep.
There was something restrained and
shamefaced in his manner as he kissed
her goodby the next morning and went
down town, but in the evening he re-
turned early, and after dinner he did
not go out. He was restless and nervous
and didn't seem to be reading the paper
which he held up before him. Between
husband and wife there was an embar-
RAISING silence. There seemed to be no
common theme for them to talk about.
They retired early, and again Adelaide's
pillow was wet with tears.
1t is a very easy matter to tell when
man stays in the house out Of sense of
duty. That is what Ned did for several
nights, but it brought Adelaide no hap
piness and aim no comfort.
Her heart was oyerfull and she want
ed sympathy and counsel. To whom
should she turn? Would not her father
tell her that she was foolish? Would
not her mother be angry and blame Ned?
Would not Nell pity her? No; she could
not go to none of these. Then suddenly
she thought of Mrs. Chatterton. She
understood Ned. She loved him. Would
she not also understand the situation
and be able to advise her? When she
had gained courage enough, she went
down to her mother in law s and sobbed
out the whole story to her. The old lady
took her in her arms as she would have
q tired child.
"You poor, little girl" she said.
"Ned has been very bad to you, and
You didn't know how to manage him.
How should you? But be patient; we
shall'bring the young man around all
right. - Mrs. Chatterton bent down and
kissed the girl, who lay sobbing in hef
arms, and hope sprang up in the young
wife's heart.
1t was matter of some doubt whether
Ned was more pleased or surprised
when, on the following night, Adelaide
said to him:
"Would you mind going to the club
tonight, Ned? Mother and are going
out for little while, and I am afraid
you will be lonesome.
Certainly not" he replied, "but I
thought your mother was out of the
city,
"I mean Mother Chatterton-your
mother" ;" she said, faltering and blush
ing.
"Oh, he said tenderly, and he was
slow in getting his hat, and he kissed
her twice before going out.
He came home early that evening,
and his mother was just about to leave
as he entered. She paused only long
enough to say: cpl be over tomorrow
evening. Mr.. and Mrs. Delaney are
coming with the hope of beating you
and Addy few games Of cards. I'll
have to come and make welsh rabbit
for you, 1 suppose. - 80
"That will be just the thing" laid
Ned. "I'll show Tom Delaney whether
he can beat us at cards or not. Do come,
mother Wait minute, and Addy and
I will walk home with you. Won't we,
dear?" But his wife was already throw
ing ON her cape.
Next night Mr.. and Mrs. Delaney
came and Ned and Adelaide were beat
en-, but Mrs. Chatterton made the Welsh
rabbit-she had never made a better
one-and there were jokes and stories
and bright conversation all through the
short evening.
Delaney proposed that the three Chat
tertons come over to his house ON the
next evening and get their revenge, and
they went. There were more jokes and
bright talk, and, best of all, this time
Ned won.
"How pleasant these evenings are,n
he said to Adelaide, as with her on one
arm and his mother on the other he
wended his homeward way, "and how
foolish have been to have been vast
ing them at the club. We must keep
them up, eh, little girl?" They were
just at Mrs. Chatterton's gate, but Ade-
laide put her hand ON the old lady's
arm. "You are going home with us to
spend the night" she said.
"And there is to be no demur, little
mother" added Ned, sweeping her on
past the gate. She could not but con-
sent.
Far into the night, after Mrs. Chat
terton had gone to bed, Ned and Ade-
laide talked. They made plans for fu-
ture pleasure, and their youthful joy
seemed the revival of the honeymoon en-
thnsiasm.
"We shall have such glorious times,"
said Ned. "Mother is right here near
us. :"
"She must be nearer, Ned" said Ad-
elaide. 81 want her to live right here
with u.s..
"But, Adelaide"-
"Ned, desire it. Don't say no. I've
got over some foolish notions of mine
and l just begin to find how much /
need mother-in- law"
Her friends say "It is strange that
after starting out so we'll she would let
him bring that mother in law in on her.
but suppose he compelled her; that's
the way with men. "-St. Louis Repub-
lie.
Captive Wild Animals.
''It is a curious thing how animals
are affected by conditions which one