The Monitor-register., 1897-12-03
A SEVERE LESSON.

his wife's eyes as he spoke, but it had
taken him too long to screw himself up
to his present attitude to be lightly
shaken from it, now it was reached. He
therefore pretended not to notice her
tears and went on:
"You See how things stand. 1t is just
three years since I made you my wife
and took you down to Bognor for the
wedding trip we both enjoyed 80 much.
When, on our return home from that all
zoos short honeymoon, your mother pro-
posed to come and spend a little time
with US, 1 made no objection at all to the
proceeding. for as we ware making a
fresh start in life, l deemed the expert
ence of an older hand an advantage to
us, and thought you would bssElxd to
avail yourself of a mothers help in your
domestic concerns"
He paused momentarily. relieved at
having thus far safely delivered himself
of a speech he had spent much time in
putting together. His wife remained
silent, and he continued:
"But whom it came to months, and
vyoarnm Observation-Disclosures
turning to the maternal abode, Lhegap
to wonder whether it might Sn0e Be- bsFter
for US both if we were left to ourselves,
TO make the attempt to walk alone. This
have delicately limited to your parent
on several occasions, but she has refnseds
to take the hint, and now, as l say it
has come to this-she must be told to 90.
You see your mothers not content to
take a back seat like any other visitor.
On the contrary, she keeps herself
always in the front, and even affects to
rule. ln.fsekss Ae dessArnle. IF a new
carpet is to be bought, she chooses the
material. When the rooms are to be
papered, it is she who selects the pattern.
Even in preparing the daily dinner, your
mothers tastes and wishes always have
the first consideration. I've had Just
about enough of it, 30 the thing must
stop. As the old lady doesn't seem in
cllned to leave of her own free will, and
refuses to take a hint, she must be told
to go in language that she can't mis-
understand"
Then you u tell her, for I ~can'G,"
~ssshsArReAE@ss5sSse~ ~ ~sss4
Jack had hoped that the task might be
undertaken by his wife, who,swith her,
womanly tact. would, he thought, be
able. to manage the affair a little more
sa4sfully than he could hope to do, but
having gone SO far'Ass<asAaaot now
Very wsii, g said airXx .r~Fst
her myself tomorrow, whatever the con.
sequences may be-"
y &eAeg@sNsw
"Mother-:niaw," said Jack, the next
morning, having found the opportunity,
I've got something particular to say
affecting yourself" ssaesss
The old lady adjusted her speotacles in
a neat little stimulation of surprise.
Affecting mel" she exclaimed. go
on, my dear John; I'm all attention"
jack screwed up his courage and went
On:
1-we- that, is your daughter and l
have been married three years." q
"Three yearsl' broke in the old lady.
Dear mel How the time flies! It
hardly seems three months! Well ?"
jack didn't like that "W ell!1 but he
went on:
slt 10 thFeeseEeaFs though, andsyou
have lived with us all that time"
sssffte.stes,,sJ0fn SO l have" said the
cd lady. blandly.
.aARd I've. that is-have couds to the
conolasion%HssSaa<sshould now like to
to lye, by GU rselve xp
Tie ofid xasslgatsged herrelf up
with dignity. fss0
"Oh, John Hadley." she said cofdly,
81 see what you mean. You. want to
turn me out of doors!'
"Not exactly that" said Jack, de.
precatipgly. "We should never, of
course, think of turning you, out, but we
certainly ventured to hope ffatvyou
would probably see your way to living
at ydnr own home in the future, as no
doubt you do"
Il quite understand, MIR. John Had
ley" returned the. mother-in law, freez-
ingly. 'It's just the same thing. I'm
notsa4f oaf, and can put two and two
Very we'll, it shall be as you
wish-I" a go to day'
'eThere is no need for such great
haste,~ said Jack, mildly. "a week or
two, or three, would give you time to
arrange your plans, and would quite
suit ours"
Enough; l go at once" said the old
lady, moving toward the door as if pre-
pared to act instanter. "One word be-
fore | leave" she added, majestically,
pausiDg at tie threshold. "You said
we Do l understand that my daughter
is a party to this insult ?"
"Your daughter, Mrs. Haslop," said
Jack, stung into a commanding tone by
the digniied demeanor of the old lady,
sis my wife, and as such her duty is to
her husband. Conss quently, anything
done by me or at my wish is equally her
| act"
THANK you." said the old lady, bow.
ing herself out of the room.
Jack was surprise ed, but not altogether
delighted at the easy victory he ad
achieved. He had anticipated opposi'
ton, and Was almost disappointed a,
finding none However, he accomplished
his purpose, for Polly's mother, true te
her word, made a speedy exit from the
house.
At first Jack and his wife missed the
old lady greatly, for ste had always
been much in evidence. In fact, &C
lonely and solemn did the house now
seem without her that Jack sometimes
wished she hadn't gone, and as for Polly,
she had many a good cry by herself
over the affair. But as her husband now
made a point of spending less time st his
club and more at home in her society, she
couldn't help becoming reoonciled to bel
loss. So, as the lonely feeling gradually
wore away, the young couple gradually
got used to the new order of things, and
Jack Hadley congratulated himself or
having done the right thing at last.
Some three months later, when Jack
was returning from business one day, he
was met by his VITA. Mhosa tear-dimmed