The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-19

Arbuscula insolently.
ITO explain would be to insult your
intelligence - and yourself" replied
Edith. Beat in carte. lunge in tierce!"
thought 1.
ooh. am not thin skinned" laughed
Arbuscula.
Il made allowance" rejoined my
wife.
Arbuscula's lips became a thin line
of scarlet Then they parted, and she
smiled. l knew that she had always
possessed most unfeminine sense Of
humor. burt I was not prepared for it's
assertion at this supreme moment. The
two women stood looking at each other
across the table, Arbuscula's dazzling
smile lighting her face. my wife's pale,
vet never so beautiful I thought,
though now, enlightened by the con-
trast. I noted the lines of anxiety
which had been creeping there during
the past months, and violet shadows
under the sweet eyes. The other gath
cred up the letters and began to shut
fie them as one would a pack of cards.
You are dying to read them!" she
said
My wife's voice said mo-" her face
was not so explicit.
Here's one-it's poetry" continued
Arbuscula. at was written for a stays
1 invented. the Arbuscula busk-you
might have heard of it?"
mo, it must have been before my
time" said Edith innocently.
Possibly, you came rather late in
the day." retorted the other.
But came to stay' answered my
wife.
Arbuscula laughed. Edith put her
hand upon the bell.
you. surely, will not compel me %
she said. Il have been very patient
you'll want all the patience you
have in the good time coming" re-
Joined the other.
"And you, what will your future be
without patience?" asked Edith.
MY future can take care of ITSELF"
cried Arbuscula, laughing laugh short
as the snap Of breaking sword blade
I'm a woman with past, the Sort
morality humbugs chatter about, but,
if 1 had a future like you, by =, I'd
try to get something better than the
butt end of roue!' Using the hilt,''
thought l.
My wife laughed gaily now "You
know the old adage," she said, 1.-The
best husband is a reformed rake.
Mems follies often serve as beacons to
guide them past the ether shoals and
shadows Of life. Experience enables
them to appreciate things-it is a good
light for man."
And a useless one for a woman"
answered Arbuscula, with a sudden
change Of tone. TITS like the poop
light which shows the foam upon the
reef that has just torn the poor ships
side out-much good, when the masts
are going by the board!'
She gathered the letters together.
Whatever had been her purpose in
coming. | could see her grasp upon it
was gone. Catching at that moment
the reflection Of my own face in a mir
ror opposite. I was so i'll pleased by
the sight that stole down stairs, hear
ing another hacking laugh and the tin
kle of a bell as I went.
I returned to the garden and COM
menced to patiently dig up the border.
Presently Edith came out also with an
armful Of plants she began to sort,
singing a cradle song much admired
the while.
L went over to her. 81 got those car
nations up" said, "but for the life Of
me I can't say which is which,
She ran to the border. "Ah, you took
far too much trouble, DEAR" she said
softly. "And after all your labor, too!
and the touch covered more than the
But the line was not straight?" I
answered, averting my eyes. isS-.'
Wen draw a Straighter one, now,
you and I, she whispered.
1 passed my arm around her waist
and kissed her. She put both her own
around my neck.
My wife" said I.
you old goose she whispered, bit
ing my ear, 81 saw you all the timer,
Use the Long Distance Telephone to Mime.
Gotta. No. and So. Dakota cities and towns