Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-06-03


self. The majority of women know all
about those things"
Eyes, Arthur" said Mrs. Hartman,
family, "and intend to learn, too. I'll
get up breakfast one of these morn
ings that'll surprise YOU"
well, you can't be too quick about
It" replied Mr.. Arthur Hartman.
When the baby was two months old
they discharged the cook. Mrs. Hart
man had learned to prepare such dain-
ty. tempting dishes that her husband
would allow no one less skilled to cater
to his delicate stomach. The Hartmans
did not keep a nurse girl. Mr.. Hartman
stoutly maintained that woman who
didn't know enough to take care OF her
own children wasn't fit to be a mother,
SO his wife administered catnip tea and
broiled steak at the same time and
washed dishes between the tantrums of
the Hartman son and heir. Neither did
they keep a maid. A maid was so apt
to let the dust accumulate on chairs and
mantels, Mr.. Hartman said, and IL there
was one thing he disliked more than
another Ii was dust. His wife was the
most thorough sweeper and buster he
had ever come across and it hurt him
to the quick to think of entrusting such
important duties to another.
Rose Hartman was too thoroughly
conscientious to do anything I'm a half
hearted manner and 1t wasn't long I'M
til she had developed into a model
housekeeper Mr.. Hartman admitted
that and was very proud of her. The
easel stood untouched in the corner in
those days, the piano was never opened
unless they had company and Roses
sweet voice was hushed except when
grooming lullabies to the baby. She
was very pale and thin, too, but Mr.
Hartman never seemed to notice that
But then he spent good many even
ings away from home and perhaps he
had no time to give heed to such trivial
things.
On those evenings when he went out
calling he generally came in about 10
o'clock. But one evening it was almost
IL when he turned the key in the lock
and walked into their little sitting
room. His wife was still up, for the
baby had been ailing and fretful and all
the mothers art had been powerless to
soothe the little fellow. Mr.. Hartman
heard the low, fitful crying before the
door was fairly opened, but 1t did not
disturb him that night. A happy, self
satisfied smile played round his lips
and he sat down opposite his wife and
communed with himself for several
minutes in contented silence. The baby
fell asleep at last. The cessation of the
mournful cries brought Mr.. Hartman to
himself.
Poor little fellow" he said, careless
ly. rs he sick?"
YES" said his wife, hes been sick
all day"
Mr.. Hartman stretched his long legs
and yawned.
Rose" he said, i've been around to
the Winstons' tonight"
Mrs. Hartman WINGED as her toll
stained hand tremblingly clasped that
of the sleeping child.
Il don't know whether you ever no.
ticed or not" he went on, "but Mrs.
Winston has glorious voice. She sang
some selections from Martha I'm
going round again Thursday night and
we're going to practice some duets to-
gether. Why is it you never sing any
more Rosey? Other women don't be-
gin to retrogade as soon as they get a
husband. l never thought you would.
/ tell you this thing of woman forget
ting everything she ever knew, just be-
cause she's married, is all mistake.
Now, that music at Winston's tonight
was an inspiration. 1t made me feel
like different man. Shall carry the
young man upstairs for your"
No, thank you," said Mrs. Hartman,
and her voice was very calm and low.
He whistled a few bars from Mar
tina" and went to bed. His wife bowed
low over the little form in her lap
When she drew her cold hand across
the boys forehead it shattered a glo-
bule of something that glistened and
sparkled like a diamond. But a mo-
ment later another jewel, and then
another, took the place of the one that
had been brushed away.