The Press., 1901-09-26

! too. John W:lS rather taken :iDack. In
his idea delicate and refined women
should eat very little and of the dainti-
est viands, and this morning meal of
his wife's surprised him as much as
her manner had done. She had acted
so differently during their engagement.
Evidently he had misunderstood her,
and he determined to assert his author
ity as her lord and master at once.
There was no time to lose. Let wo-
man get the upper hand" thought
John, land your influence is gone for
ever"
And so, after the breakfast things
were cleared away, he told her to put
on her bonnet and accompany him for
long walk.
"Good gracious, John, are you mad?"
said his wife. "In weather like this!"
certainly. 1t will do you far more
good than stopping at home. Come, do
as tell you."
Mrs. Hampton looked at him scorn-
fully.
John Hampton" she said firmly, eff
you like to go out and contract a chill,
I've no objection, except that l shall
have the trouble of nursing you, but
don't take me quite for fool. l shall
stay indoors and write long letter to
mamma"
And SO, very much crestfallen at his
first attempt to assert his authority,
John put on his hat and went down on
the beach and amused himself by maxi
ing ducks and brakes on the waves.
p,1% S,, &c
and, after buying some cigarettes and
newspaper, he retraced his steps once
more to the house.
On his way he passed a couple who
were walking under large umbrella.
The man had his right arm round the
girls waist, and the girl held up a
radiant face to his and was chatting
charmingly. They appeared to be per-
fectly oblivious to the rain and every
thing but just themselves.
For some reason or other John sighed
the weakness looked after them con-
/ ftemptuously and denounced them as
deluded fools.
When he reached home, Mrs. Hamp-
ton met him at the door and asked
him to kindly post her letters. There
were twO-One to mamma, certainly,
but the other was addressed to a young
man who had been frequent caller at
the maternal home until their engage
ment was announced.
Excuse me-" he said in dignified
manner. MAY l be Informed of the
contents of this letter?'
mo, you may not" said Mrs. Hamp-
ton stif1y. "And your request is an
insult. Pray make haste back, as lunch
con Is on the table"
And again John obeyed, though with
very Ill grace.
The next day Mrs. Hampton declared
that honeymoons were very dull.
"You had better give notice here and
pay the weeks bills and take rooms at
one Of the best hotels. 1t will be
treat to see few people at mealtimes
even If one does not speak to them"
At this John made strenuous pro-
test. He hated large gathering, he
said. and much preferred quiet life.
Besides, he was hurt and mortified that
she should so soon tire Of his company.
In honeymoon a wife and husband
should be all and all to one another, 1t
should be a brief time sacred to them
selves, time when there should be no
intrusions from the outside world.
But Mrs. Hampton only curled her
pretty lips.
"That's all nonsense" she said, with
a derisive laugh. "You only read about
that sort of thing in books. In real life
a marriage Is a very prosaic matter.
When we return to town and you go to
business, it will be different l shall
entertain my friends then and shall
have plenty to amuse me-"
And so to the hotel they went and
after that Mrs.. Hampton couldn't COM
plain that she saw too much of John.
She became a great favorite with the
visitors there and was always joining
in some expedition or the other, and it
was with great sigh of relief from the
happy bridegroom that the holiday
came to an end.
How pleasant the little villa at Nor
wood looked after those desolate rooms
at the hotel. Even Mrs. Hampton ad-
mired Johns taste at the manner in
which they were furnished and they
sat down to tea in the little dining
room for the first time together.
John took up his evening paper as
was his wont and scanned 1t through,
but raised his head suddenly at what
sounded like muffied sob.
Madeline" he said anxiously, what
is the matter, dearY And he jumped
up and went to her side, whereupon
the distressed one lifted a face rippling
with laughter.
ooh. John, dear John" she said.
"Tell me, did you enjoy your honey
moon very much, dear?'
John hadn't, but he didn't say so. He
caught the white hands held out to him
and drew the owner to him.
"Madeline," he said, Ibid you
Eyes; l did," said Madeline, inter-
rupting him in her usual way. 81.
wanted to give you lesson, sir. You
wanted to have things all your own
way. l OWNED it from the first. You
married me because you wanted CON-
panionable housekeeper. Come. con-
fess, sir. You didn't marry me be-
cause you loved me-"
"But now, dearest" he said, still
holding her close.
"Well. think. thanks to my lesson,
you do little bit now"
And John confessed he did just lit
tie bit, and his thoughts travelled back
to that happy young couple under the
umbrella at Brighton.
"We'l have another honeymoon later
on, Madeline" he said; "a real one this
tim0.n-PennY Pictorial MAGAZINE.