The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-19
LETTERS.
William Buckley in Black and White.

~N<~~rSc>><>>s~S~~~~r>>~~S
/ We had been three months married
and lived in the blessed expectancy Of
a secretaryship which had been PROM
1sed on commission appointed to in
! Qulre into some abuses government did
| not want to find out, but the prelmi-
narIes dragged, and 1 found myself
| doomed to period of enforced idIeness
which did not improve my temper, and
l fear tried my wife's sorely, for though
/ happy we were human. Our first anil
/ thank heaven, our only tiff, took place
one memorable day when we were both
/ gardening on plot of soot-blackened
+ ground attached to our modest DWELL
ing. In making a border 1 had planted
! number of carnations and picotees to-
| sether, contrary to my wife's directions,
and on discovering the mistake she saio
what suppose nine out Of ten women
would have said. I answered tartly,
pelng preoccupied with bitter thoughts,
and so acrimonious did our discussion
become that Edith went into the house.
/ After some minutes reflection l felt
! the childishness of my conduct and fcl-
! lowed to make it up. She was not in
/ the little attic-like boudoir at the top
! OF our mansion, so 1 descended to
search for her in the drawing-room,
! Which had doors opening on the con-
serVatory and hall. By chance 1 chose
| the first, and had almoTt entered the
room when 1 heard the sound of a welt
remembered voice. and drawing the
portiere aside cautiously saw my wife
face to face with Arbuscula
I daresay you know who amp" the
! latter was saying
| Edith denied the implied honor
Ihen is your state the more
! gracious" retorted Arbuscula But
! your husband does, and that is the
chief point. The servant told me he
| was at home" She looked just as splen-
cld as ever and swept our modest little
apartment with scornful glance
My husband is engaged said Edith
Anything you have to say may be said
to me-"
''Indeed?" replied Arbuscula. .Wel1
have got good many things to say
My Wife folded her hands and, finding
| one of her gardening gloves on, pulled
1T off and threw it on the table.
'Guard"' thought I.
And first" continued Arbuscula. 81
want to say that your husband is the
writer of those letters" And She de-
posted formidable bundle on the ia
Bile beside the glove. '"rhey were writ
ten to me-you may read them if YOU
choose"
Il have no desire to do So" replied
my wife, valiantly
They would interest you," the other
went on. You could compare them
| with those he has, l daresay. written
| to yourself"
Il fear you misunderstood, though
the error is natural one-for you"
replied my wife CONSIDERABLY.
A spot of light shone in Arbuscula's
! eye. They would be useful" she con-
tinued, If you wanted to make things
not for n1m-as you undoubtedly will"
| My wife was SILENT she PLAYED with
her wedding ring
Or, perhaps, you won't care to see
them in the public press" the other
added, viciously. II know a literary
chap who would dress 'em up we'll;
| they'd want a little draping, for a ma
per 1 know Of
conclude. then, that the lawyers
have marked no case"" observed
Edith. and Arbuscu!a glanced curiouslv
at her. ''
L do not take my-wrongs to a law
courtp' she said magnifcentIy.
In that you show your wisdom" re-
piled my wife. Arbuscula looked at
her again, with some thing approaching
l respect, but there was "a sparkle he
meath the eyelids
Come. what will you give to pre-
vent it?" she asked.
Nothing" responded Edith, quietly.
He would be Of a different opinionr'
i observed Arbuscula
! Hardly" said my wife; she is not
a fool"
You are the first woman who ever
said that of him." retorted Arbq1scula.
Il do not doubt itp' replied my wife.
with much significance, and the other
Redeemed slightly. Under the guard!'
thought I.
IAN women are the same to him."
continued Arbuscula, recovering her
self. What is the difference between
you and me? A wedding ring"
"And all it symbolizes," rejoined INV
wife, softly.
That's a house on fifth-rate ter
race. with only one stopcock for eight
of ye. and the lady next door cuts
| off the water when she has had a few
words with you over the hedge-I know
it?' sneered the other.
oh. it symbolizes more" said Edith.
but her tone was weaker; the thrust
had gone home, for the study of
hydrostatics had been forced upon us
of late.
And what is that, pray?" demanded