El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-23

| throwing the stockings aside. with emo
| tion precipitates herself into Juanito's
arms. saying:
DO not think of me as your mother
| in-law- Look upon me loving friend
as an affectionate sister. as
Isolina. Juanito and Dona Severiana
| remain. locked in each others arms. shed
ding tears Of joy
.Tuaniio and Isolina are eating fried
eggs ont Of the same plate. Each gives
the other mouthfuls alternately as though
they We're babies Dopa Severiana sits
at the other side of the table and watches
them out of the corner Of her eve.
do you love me-" cooes Isolina.
with all my heart" replies .Iuanito.
And y"u are happy
"Oh. ever so happyr'
''And you will never cease to care for
me?
''N-e-v-e-r,'
Dona Severiana shifts about uneasily
in her chair
"Juanito. she says. suddenly address
ing her son-in-Iaw. Il must speak TO you
in very plain terms. am her mother"
Iuanito opens his eyes in alarm, and
bona Sevcriana continues severely:
'T'hese loving demonstrations are do
ing harm to Isolina- She is young and
uoeSh Will she Is uOlQR. he
neighbors have begun to criticise her I'M
favorably."
'Isn't she my wire?" Juanito plucks up
the courage TO inquire.
Admitting the fact replies Dona Sc
veriana. with decision: admitting the
fact. it isn't ut all proper for you to make
m exhibition OF yourselves in the balco-
ny Why. only this morning / watched
Won kiss her % times in five minutes,
W hn nm, hx
in kind Of trance and never took his
eyes Off you,'
"Well!"
81 repeat. you are abusing your prerog
atives as husband of my daughter"
Iuanito frowns. Then he eats a hot
potato in silence.
Isolina whispers in his ear:
Don't be vexed. Juanito, dear. Poor
mammal, It's only because she is so fond
of me-"
Juanito sayagely takes n mouthful of
bread and in doing so bites his finger
Snatching his hand away in pain. it hap
pens to strike his mother-in-law's cheek
"Villain." she cries. you have struck
mev'
Isolina tries to calm her mother. Juan
ito protests his innocence of any wrong
intention.
He has raised his hand against me-"
declares Dona Severiana.
mo. mamma. dear, 1t was an acct
dent" Isolina assures her.
Dona Severiana at length permits her
self to be trauduliZed and seats herself
at the table. carefully and ostentatiously
wrapping up her cheek in a handkerchief
'rPoor mammal whispers Isolina to
her husband 'Sbe is so good. Don't
you think SO. Juanito?''
And Juanito murmurs:
HUM
Jusnito enters in a bad bumor, throws
his hat and cane on the sofa and, seating
takes q newspaper out of his
pocket and begins to read.
Isolina is sewing. Dona Severiana fans
herself with a lamp shade, so great is her
q bsence of mind.
Are going to have lunch or aren't
we going TO have lunch in this house to-
day. inquiries Juanito.
Lunch will be ready in due time" an
nounces Dona Scvcriana.
81 wasn't talking to you.'
"Jnanito! Pleaser says lsoIina in a
pleading tone.
Let him alone. Let him alone" says
her mother uiaj"sticaiIy- Let him insult
me- Let him strike me. I shall say moth |
ing
Juanito mutters something and escapes
int" the dining room. shutting the door
With violence after him.
The Maid tcnterine)-Lunch is on the
table.
Dona Come. Isolina. Come |
and take lunch and don't worry yourself
about that man. He isn't worthy Of any |
whatever.
Isolina-Oh. deari
They pass into the dining room and |
seat themselves at the table
Juanito ipushing back his chsir)-This
is unbearablei
Isolina-What?
Juanito-Fricd eggs every day-noth |
lunch at all
bona Scveriana So much the better.
Jnanito-TIolJ your tonguei
Dona Severiana-T don't choose To.
Isolina-Oh. dear. how unhappy ! am,
But. Juanito. love. stay and take lunch |
with us. won't you?
Juanito-No. ] won't. I'm full of fried |
eggs up to my neck.
A minute Letter the slammipg Of the
front door Announces tn" departure Of
Juanito
Juanit, makes his way tn RI. English
cafe. and. seating himself At one OF the
tables. calls the waiter.
"Wbaf have Won for lunch today?"
"Anythinc you may wish. sir. replies
the waiter Hero is I'll" hill Of fare
Jnanito looks over the hill OF fare care
fully. and then. turning to the waiter.
says:
Bring me first of all a couple of fried |
eggs"
without potatoes?"
YES. and without mother-in-law
From the Spanish.