Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1901-09-20
The
HONEYMOON


1t 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 u home and some one
to look after his home comforts. He
had tried housekeepers, but 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 wife or should he engage an
other lady housekeeper and see how
that worked?
why not combine the two and get
a wife as well as lady housekeeperT
thought John, and so he kept sharp
eye round him for n bright, pretty do
mestieated girl whom be could honor
with his intentions with n view to mat
rimony.
And at last his dligent search was
rewarded Madeline Gray possessed
every attraction and virtue that John
had determined his pretty wife should
have. She was pretty. brilliantly pret-
ty. Her hair was like spun gold. and
her eyes were as blue rs the bluest of
china; but, as John Hampton remark
ed, beauty was not everything, and
Madeline's hands. though small and
white. were the nimblcst In the world.
She could knit, and she could sew, she
could wash. and, yes, she could even
scrub. and do II all In the daintIest and
most becoming manner too. Truly
Madeline Gray was jewel which only
required the setting of that little Nor
wood villa to perfect.
And John Hampton thought himself
extremely lucky when this model Of
virtues accepted his attentions and lat
er his dIgnifisd proposal of marriage,
and that WAS how be happened to be
looking out OF the window Of his mod
est little apartments ut 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
Ia a macintosh hurried along the pa.
rade with the seeming object OF get
ting home as quickly as possible.
f,4a rs mistake - Sa Id
John to himself III | hadn't wanted
a change of air, shouldn't have come.
It's an ideal morning for The seaside, !
must say"
At that moment Mrs. Hampton en-
tered the room, and he turned to greet
her.
Not very charming morning, my
dear. Is IL" said he amieably.
well. what can you expect from
place ike Brighton" said his wife
coolly. ITS all the same here whether
II rains or shines"
John raised his eyebrows In surprise
why, my dear he began anxious
ly.
"You thought liked Brighton, sup
pose" interrupted Mrs. Hampton calm
ly. We'll. It's a pity yon didn't trou-
Bile TO inquire before. As you arranged
this holiday yourself you mustn't
grumble, aud now come and have your
breakfast
To say that Mr.. Hampton was sur
prised is stating the case too mildly.
10 ,vas ,innIv aotnundad Ha lo0kpd
at his wife as at some Chinese puzzle.
Was this self possessed and command
ing woman really the meek and sub
dued little maiden he had married the
day beforeg
And yet there she sat, her golden
head as golden as ever, her eyes as
blue. pouring out the coffee with as
much sang froid as IL she had been
Mrs Hampton for years.
II presume you ordered this break
fast" she said as she finished her task.
"Yes. dear" said John. rs there
"No, there isn't anything like" she
replied. without troubling him to finish
his remark, and looking at the viands
on the table "Will you please ring the
bell!"
John obeyed, and when the maid ap-
peared she gave an order for new
laid egg and a piece of hot toast. pass
ing the cold meat to her husband with
the dignity of queen.
And very good breakfast she made
too. John was rather taken aback. In
his idea delicate and refined women
should eat very little and of the dainti-
est viands, and this morning meal Of
his wifes surprised him as much as
her manner had done. She had acted
SO differently during their engagement.