The sun., 1897-06-13
QUITE IN THE DARK.
Ana the MISTAKE that George Wade,

l knew better OF course; but, then, II was per
fectly delightful to hear him say It, and I'm
sure was not going to pin him down to absolute
truth In such matters. There were plenty of
other things in which truthfulncss was OF much
greater moment, and I knew that before our
married life was finished all Of dear Georges
hcrosm would be called into rcqusition to reply
truthfuly TO many of the questions would bo
compelled to ask him.
is II not so with every wifel
And is there husband who docs not need
almost divine strength to meet the demands
made upon him in this rcgardi
Even with such aid. there nre husbands who
at times do not reach that high standard Of
truth to which Washington attained.
mean. OF course, in respect Of the cutting
down of the cherry tree.
AS said at the outset, George was extremely
good looking, and l can recall having heard
many men say as much of me.
But George was angel; neither was I.
In fnct. think under some circumstances
he could be the most provoking man on earth.
Hundreds of times, nay, millions of times,
might say. have wanted TO box his cars; and
goodness knows how many times I have vowed
that would never speak to him again.
Still, when he came homo in the evening, tired
and worn out, / have felt SO sorry for him, and
been so glad to see him that, in spite of all my
good resolutions, have rushed up to him like n
schoolgirl meeting her father at Christmas time,
and with my arms around his big, broad shoul.
dcrs. cling to him il there was not another
man on the entire face Of the Garth.
1 can't help feeling how silly it all is, for we
have been married nearly two years. and
ought to be more composed and more practical,
but can't, and there is simply use in my
trying to be.
As our only hired girl remarks apologetically
concerning her own shortcomings, 81 am what
l am, an can't be ammer than am"
III George is provoking in beginning quarrel,
he Is Just too lovely in making one up, and he Is
as persuasive then as he Is provoking in the
start.
think sometimes he provokes me just to see
how much power he has over me In coaxing me
completely away from my determination to
teach him lesson in domestic ethics that he
will never forget. l don't know how many
times have firmly made up my mind to teach
him just such lesson, but since come TO
think Of it, don't believe have ever made the
slightest effort to act domestic pedagogue
When the time comes George kisses me just
like n boy would kiss his angry mother, folds
his hands mcekly, and waits for the storm of my
wrath to break
And 1t never breaks.
That That is one . reason George is 50 drcadfully
Last Wednesday morning | was to 60 to town
with him on the early train-you know we live
in the subprbs-and before we got started he
said something TO me that provoked me all
over, and ! wouldn't have gone "A foot with him.
only ! did want ego to town so much that
would have gone with anything.
But was under no obligations to speak to
him, and didn't. Not word. Much he cared
him, reading as II there were a new novel by u
"eTRnown ELL now writer IN every , ~ column.
| in the end n a vii nj her In
e'eorse took his place across the aisle in seat
turned over. SO that the man facing George
| This pleased me immensely for he WAS such a
handsome fellow. and he seemed to notice me
hrazenly but with such beautiful dcicacy,
| just as II he had u dear mother and sisters at
| he respected me and all women.
AS was debarred from communication with
my husband, either by speech or sight, there
| siona!ly at the handsome stranger, but it was
always with George in my mind, and could
some one of his cute ways of kissing and max.
| Ing up which were invaria bly, successful.
onder hin ha ovss his
some fellow distracted my attention, and l could
Wondering il should speak to him again be-
| fore he came home in the evening, when knew
that there would be a fond reconciliation
Think | noticed the darkening in the train ns
We ran into the cut before going through tun-
mel which was nearly two minutes long. and
never did think Il worth his while to light the
train lamps for such little time
| George would do. and | had come to the con-
clusion that If he did, would be safe in max
ing him wait till evening for our reconciliation.
Well into the tunnel we dashed at eighteen
few seconds &c, / cot could feel that some one was S
catching George around the neck and giving
him good, hg hng right there
1.A.I N..f Il 1,tt ~,
was the time II ever 20 never let on. though
will confess that when felt the warmth
OF his face close 10 mine i did unbcnd just a
wccnty tcenty, little bit, and did not freeze
him with my firm set lips.
But | was cold faced and hard as iron when
| the train ran out into the sunshine again, and
although George looked over at me and hall
smiled, did not see anybody over his way ex
eept that go2d-iookins man opposite.
was SIN aS hrIn ats ever when we reached
called it, and merely buwcd as we parted
1t was dreadful thing to do, for. as the poe,
says, in cyc:y parting there is the image o
death, and there are so many chances for
person not 10 escape with his life in the city
And still was determined and intended /,
carry my purpose ont for once, come wha
Al 3 O'clock went home, and by had tn.
had ever, prepared for him since we had beer
keeping house. Not only the dinner nj
unusually good one, but his mother had givel
me some new pcarl-handlcd knives that day
and my own mother had contributed IA GU
glass salad dish and bottle OF champagne,
| Everything was just too lovely for anything
and there wasn't the slightest hitch anywhere
All went merry u marriage bell or fair,
dream, or any OF those things that only hap
pen In poetry and song, and / couldn't hav
been happier II | had been in heaven. In
quite sure couldn't. Really, don't you know
/ wouldn't have wanted to be.
| 1t was simply perfect
Wasn't 1t funny, dear" said. as put hin
down carefully in his hig chair at the foot o
the table, that | should have known what yo,
were going 10, do on tho traini And how
punished you by not giving in, didn't l. yo,
darling old Gcorgci'
| was on the point OF dancing around to tina
end OF the table and kissing him again, but
had taken my place AT the head OF the table, an
] felt that rs Sarah had entered the diDin
room must be more staid and dccorous.
Wasn't what funnyi" he responded. In ton
that sent u cold chill down my back.
why, your kissing the train wen
through the tunnc this morning" | said s
fast that tho words fairly sized through m
lips but ! could not have said theri slow I
have saved my life.
| would have cried, | know would, just fror
the horrible suspicion that began to force itsel
upon me.
And George didn't do thing to prevent m
going into Mysteries, the provoking creature.