The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-01-30
KISS AND MAKE IT UP,

Moo HnU MHM II vi !.
Its good to get home" I said to my
wife, as [ hung my coat in the hail, ''and
jolly to have a fire and pretty little
wife to come to. I've invited a chap
home to spend the Christmas holidays
with us. 1 hope you wont object. Milly
[ thought it would be a real Christian
act"
How like you, John, dear!' said my
wife, giving me a kiss.
well, the fact is the poor fellow would
have beastly depressing time of it
alone. Fred Mathers-"
Fred Mathers!" gasped my wife. ''You
don't mean to say you have invited him
here?'
Yes" replied. 'Why not? You have
nothing against him.?
My wife sank into an helpless attitude
on .. the sofa 4fa and stared at me-; >, -
He can't come here-he can't, really
And why not, pray?' l asked again in
some irritation.
'Because-because- John, l have
asked Isobel Chanerton. 1 thought she
would be so sad and lonely, and"
well. then, all I can say is" I re-
turned, you've spoilt my little plan.
Why, they haven't spoken to one another
since their engagement was broken last
spring. How could you be. so foolish?"
Me, indeed!" said A1illy, holly. II
asked Isobel week ago. It is you that
have been idiotic enough to spoil Christ
mas for u.s."
What are we to do?' I began anx-
iously
''Do?' said Milly. 'sYou must make
some excuse to Fred. Say we have got
measles Or scarlet fever in the house
co
again"
Il can't Milly," [ answered. indignant
". cts impossible. You must explain
to Isobel, and ask her to postpone her
visit
Il shall do nothing of the kindr' said
well, I shall certainly not ask Fred
to go"
you must do as you please" she said.
Certainly | shall in this NATTER I
agreed
She inclined her head
Then hope you will enjoy your
Christmas holidays. Isobel won't speak
a word to him. He was entirely to
blame in the matter; and, from all l can
hear, he behaved shamefully."
well, then, you heard wrong" | be-
gan. Erred told me all about it, and
from first to last IsObel was in fault"
"Man-hke: you side with the man"
sneered Milly.
We'll, it's a change to hear you side
with woman, at any rate" / retorted.
"A few weeks ago Isobel was your dead
lest enemy"
1T isn't true" said my wife "She
has always been my dearest friend"
Didn't you say she was a firt, and
that she had such a fearful temper that
you don't wonder Fred and she quar-
reled?
Il don't remember said my wife, in
differently. But there's the bell It
must be. Yes. it is Isobel''
There was the trou-frou of feminine
draperles, a littre scream of delight, and
the two dear friends We're locked in each
others arms.
"Oh, Isobel, I'm so glad you have
GOMEZ" cried my wife.
1T was so sweet of you to ask me,
dearp' gushed Isobel.
The maid will bring up your trunk
said Milly, after another close embrace
And now come and see your room''
With this my wife threw me a defiant
glance and ran upstairs. followed by her
visitor, talking and laughing all the way.
But she came running quickly down
again at the sound of another loud ring
at the door.
''Oh, john" she cried. 'that must be
Fred For goodness sake dc get rid of
him somehow! Isobel will never forgive
me-"
Il shall do nothing of the kind I re-
marked calmly. you deliberately well
coined Isobel here when you knew what
was in store for her. l shall do the same
with Fred"
Ny wife could scarcely speak for an
ger, and stamped her pretty little foot.
At that moment the door opened, and
Fred was ushered in, followed two sec
onds afterwdrd by Isobel, who had dis
carded her travelling clothes for a smart
pink tea gown. Pale and red by turns,
they faced one another, and neither
spoke.
Fred drew me aside.
You must get me out of this, old
man." he said breathing quickly. "No
doubt you meant it for the best, but it
won't do. Where's my hat and coat?"
You don't go out of this house to-
night" | returned desperately, thinking
of Milly's triumph in such an event.
Stay, if it's for my sake. We can
keep to the smoking room as much as
words with Mily, and / can't be left
alone with those two women-I can't in
deed. You don't know Milly. She's got
an awful tongue"
'And you don't know Isobel," sighed
Fred, giving way, to my delight. my
dear fellow, | can sympathiZe, if any one
can; and if / can benefit you by staying
let Isobel glare her worst"
II.
ioHdIl ever loISel tnc uiocOiIloII VI
that long dinner? Milly and | never
addressed one another the whole time;
neither did Fred and Isobel. They might
have been perfect strangers, dining at u.
restaurant, for all the notice they took
of each other.
When | spoke to Isobel she answered
me in cold monosyllables; and when Fred
addressed Milly she was polite to dis
agreeable degree The end of that din
ner was marked by absolute silence, and
never did | experience such sense OF
relief as when we rose and adjourned to
the drawingroom.
But here it was worse still What a
mockery those Christmas decorations
WERE and how utterly depressing the at
mosphere seemed. My wife felt it, too,
and after fine she made some pretext
for speaking to the servants, and escaped
: from the room.
Watching my opportunity, when IsobeI