Morris tribune., 1901-07-06
Ihe
HONEYMOON

It was the day after the wedding and
wet enough to damp the ardor Of the
most devoted Of bridegrooms. And
John Hampton was not the most de
voted. He had married, as most eau.
tious and selfish young men do, be-
cause he wanted home and some one
to look after his home comforts. He
had tried housekeepers. butt they had
proved failures one and all. They
wanted too many evenings out, and
their appearance was not calculated to
decorate any smart little suburban
villa.
And so John meditated deeply about
the matter. Should he hamper himself
with a wife or should he engage an
other lady housekeeper and see how
that worked? "a "
"Why not combine the two and get
a wife as well as lady housekeeperY p
thought, John, and so he kept sharp
eye round him for bright, pretty do
mesticated girl whom he could honor
with his intentions with view to mat
rimony.
And at last his diligent search was
Madeline Gray possessed
every attraction and virtue that John
had determined his pretty wife should
have. She was pretty, brilliantly pref
ty. Her hair was Like spun gold, and
her eyes were as blue as the bluest of
china; but, as John Hampton remark
ed, beauty was not everything, and
Madeline's hands, though. small and
white, were the nimblest In the world.
She could knit, and she could sew, she
could wash, and, yes, she could even
scrub and dosit all in the daintiest and
most becoming manner too. Truly
Madeline Gray was a Jewel which only
required the setting of that little Nor
wood villa to perfect. ..4, @.5..,E
And John Hampton thought himself
extremely lucky when this model Of
virtues accepted his attentions and lat
er his dignifed proposal OF marriage,
and that was how he happened to be
looking out of the window Of his mod
est little apartments at Brighton one
very wet day in May.
The scene was depressing enough.
The sea looked dark and gloomy, the
beach was deserted, and now and then
a detected looking individual enveloped
in macintosh hurried along the pa
rade with the seeming object Of get
ting home as quickly as possible.
"Honeymoons are mistake" said
John to himself. "If L hadn't wanted
a. change of air. shouldn't have come.
It's an ideal morning for the seaside,
must say" y 49,. .:...... ...
At that moment Mrs. Hampton en-
tered the room, and he turned to greet
her. 80 r..sass ai:a Ts,. ,l:
mot a very charming morning, my
dear, is itY said he amicabiy.
We'll, what can you expect from a
place like Brighton" said his wife
coolly. cts all the same here whether
It rains or Shines
John raised his eyebrows in surprise
"Why, my DEAR he began anxious
".
You thought liked Brighton, sup
pose," interrupted Mrs. Hampton calm
y. 'Well, it's pity you didn't trou-
Die to inquire before. AS you arranged
his holiday yourself, you mustn't
yrumble, and now come and have your |
To say that Mr.. Hampton was sur
orised is stating the case too mildly.
BE was simply astounded. He looked |
t his wife as at some Chinese puzzle.
Vas this self possessed and command |
ng woman really the meek and sub |
ued little maiden he had married the
lay before2
And yet there she sat, her golden
lead as golden as ever. her eyes as
'lue, pouring out the coffee with as T
much sang froid as If she had been
drs. Hampton for years. .
II presume you ordered this break
ast," she said as she finished her task
Eyes, dear" said John. us there
mo, there isn't anything / like" she
eplied. without troubling him to finish
is remark, and looking at the viands
n the table. "Will you please ring the
ellY' sa.g,
John eobeyed, and when the maid, APP
cared she gave an order for a new
lid. egg and apiece Of hot toast. pass
lg the cold meat to her husband with
ne dignity Of a queen.
And q very good breakfast she made
70. John was rather taken aback. In
Is idea delicate and refined women
1ould eat very little and Of the dainti-
Il viands, and this morning meal Of
g wife's surprised him as much as
IF manner had done, She had ACTED
} differently during their engagement
he had mlsund erstood her,
i'd he determined TO assert his author
Y Fas her lord and master at once.
here was no time to lose. ':sLet a wo-
an get the upper hand" thought
Inn. "and your influence 10 gone for
err