Morris tribune., 1901-07-06
: ia UeeRIg $toryatta.t


on her bonnet and accompany him fol
a long walk.
"Good gracious, John. are you madT
said his wife. ''ln weather like this!"
Certainly. 1t will do You far more
good than stopping at home. Come, dc
IS tell you"
Mrs Hampton looked ats him scorn-
fully. 2,y7
"John Hampton she said firmly, "if
you like to go out and contract a chfH.'
I've no objection, except that shall
have the trouble Of nursing you, but
don't take me- quite for fool. 1 shall
stay indoors and write long letter to
mamma" s
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 MAX
ing ducks and brakes on the waves.
But in time this sport became tame,
and, after buying some cigarettes and a
newspaper, he sretraced his steps once
more to the house .~.s... !,
Z On his way he passed 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 Awas chatting
charmingly. They appeared to besper-
fectly oblivious to the rain and every.
thing but just themselves.
For some reason or other John sighed
heavily, then to excuse himself Of
the weakness looked after them cons
.temptuously 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 a dignifed
manner, "May be informed Of the.
contents Of this letter. 50.
.'''No, you. may not" said Mrs. Hamp-
ton stif1y. t"And your request Is an
insult. Pray make haste, back. as lunch
con Is on the table. g,sss2>
And again John obeyed, though with
very i'll grace. I'd
The next day Mrs. Hampton declared
that honeymoens were very dull. 81
"You had better give notice here and
pay. the weeks bills and take rooms at
one, Of the best hotels, 1t will be a
treat to see a few people at mealtimes
even IL one does. not speak to. Them"
s. At this John made strenuous pro-
test. He hated large gathering. he
said, and much preferred a quiet life.
Besides, he was hurt and mortified that
she should so soon tire Of his company.
In honeymoon wife and husband
should be all and all to one another. III
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. ------.r- r.
4 That's all nonsense. she said, with
! derisive laugh. You only read about
hat sort Of thing in books. In real life
l marriage is very prosaic matter.
When we return to town and you go to !
business, it will be different. 1. shall
entertain, my friends then and shall
AVE plenty to .amuse me- -.
And so to: the hotel they went, and |
Lfter that Mrs. Hampton couldn't COM
)lain that she saw too much Of John.
she became a great favorite with the !
'isitors there and was always joining
q some expedition or the other. and it [
vas with a great sigh Of relief from the
Happy bridegroom that the holiday
anne to an end.
How pleasant the little villa at Nor
wood looked after those desolate rooms
t the hotel. Even Mrs. Hampton adj
aired Johns taste at the manner in
which they were furnished, and they
at down to tea in the little dining
DOM for the first time together.
John took up his evening paper as
7as his wont and scanned it through,
ut raised his head suddenly at. what
ounded like a muf1ed sob.
Madeline" he said anxiously, what
! the matter. dearY And he jumped
p and went to her side, whereupon
ne distressed one lifted face ripping
18th laughter. -
"Oh, John. dear John" she said. |
Tell me. did you enjoy your honey 4
loon very much, dear?'
John hadn't, but he didn't say so. He 7,
aught the white hands held out to him
nd drew the owner to him. T.
Madeline" he said, .'did your
Eyes; ! did," said Madeline, inter-
1pting him In her usual way. 81
'anted to give you a lesson, sir. You I
'anted to have things all your own
ay. | OWNED It from the first. You
arried me because you wanted a COM
antonable housekeeper. Come, con-
IS. sir. You didn't marry me be-
luse you loved me- 1
"But now, dearest" he said, still1 ]
olding. her close. !
"Well. I think, thanks to my lesson,
~ do a little BIT now 81
And John confessed he did lust a lit
: Bit and his thoughts travelled back !,
that happy young couple under the
nbrella at Brighton. S
We'll have another honeymoon later
l. Madeline no said sGn ,4c.ol r,r1e, thga | {