The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-05-30
A PARDONABLE RUSE
BY MRS. NJ. L. RAYNE.

talk, talk, in order that you may have the
last word. You are so quarrelsome that"
Il quarrelsome! When you know per-
fectly well l never have an opinion of my
own. And as to the last word"
THE clerk is waiting for US to register.
If you will stop scolding long enough l will
order our room"
Room, Mr. Wilson, room? You mean
rooms. We are not reduced to the necessity
of dispensing with parlor to which we can
invite our friends, are WEI"
Just as you please, madame; it Is like
your extravaganza to engage suite. Fourth
floor, then, and suite"
Fourth floor Mr. Wilson, then you &C.
cupy it alone. You know we are always TAX
ing the second floor for fear of fire. But
l presume you would be delighted if was
burned to a cinder. Wretch! In all the
years we've been married | never knew you
to oblige me by granting any request"
Never mind about that, Mrs. Wilson.
It's fourth floor or nothing. You know me
well enough by this time to understand that
l am not to be dictated to by any woman
"Oh, no, Mr.. Wilson,; certainly not, par
ticularly when that woman is your wife.
suppose by this time ought to be glad
have roof to cover me. Heartless man
please register" said the clerk, who was
tired of the determinations of the pair, and
willing to help them adjust matters.
They had been engaged in this disagree
able quarrel since stepping from carriage
at the door, and there was a suggestion of
one of those terrible hotel tragedies which
occur so often in their expressions of rage
and defiance, and the hatred which flashed
from their angry eyes as they glared at each
other.
Clarence Wilson and wife, st. Paul,
MINI" was the inscription recorded on the
hotel register, and several guests who had
been Interested in the quarreling couple
sauntered up and glanced at the bold accus-
toned writing and speculated over the new
arrivals.
"That isn't the handwriting of tough"
commented the clerk.
Must have money by the way they are
logged out"
''It will be either murder or divorce"
They're too young to have good sense"
ooh, they've been married some years. l
heard her INVITING him with it. They are
not so young as they look"
The pair entered the hotel dining-room in
pacific silence, and but for the traces of
their previous i'll humor would have made a
very good impression. However they went
at it again hammer and tongs before they
had finished their first course.
"Did you secure good tickets for the the
alter or did you get any old thing, as usual"
'"There you go, jumping at conclusions!
These are the tickets-perhaps you will con-
descend to approve them. Best in the
house"
"Six rows from the stage and not end
seats. Suppose the theater should be on fire
how would we get out?'
81 could skip over the backs of the seats"
eyes, and leave me to perishl Oh, this is
too much! Yet, years ago when We were
first married, Mr.. Wilson, and you were not
the cruel wretch you now are, you said"
ooh, never mind what l said Eat your
fish and give me chance to finish my din
ner in peace. little thought in those days
that had married termagant"
"Who made me one? You-nobody but
you. My-my mother"
"Never mind dragging her in. If her
daughter were half as amiable as she is /
wouldn't be leading such a dogs life
Mr. Wilson seemed to have had the last
word, and although the pair spoke once or
twice in an undertone, the attentive waiter
had no further parley to report to the head
clerk
But the quarrel was resumed at the ele-
vator, where they snapped and snarled in
such a vicious fashion that the boy related it
at the desk, where he was told to look out
for concealed weapons and to report any
loud talking he might hear in the apart
ments of the new guests.
eve don't want any coroner's inquest
here" said the clerk. Gust keep a tab on
them, and if you see anything suspicious let
me know"
Nothing was reported, however, until late
in the evening after the return of the couple
from the theater. They had been talking
loudly and disagreeably when they went
out, but had returned in a more peaceable
mood, although looking daggers at each
other as they went up in the elevator. A
call for ice water was responded to by bell
boy, who came down from their room with
eyes popping from his head.
"Tkere'll be another murder done in this
house sure" he exclaimed. Then two have
got it in for one mother, for she called him
rutfyan an he said take that back or yer
| life will pay tn forfeit. An they jist
glared at themselves like catamounts."
''rhe clerk sent for the landlord. 81
think we should look into this" he said.
"The couple in parlor 20 have been fighting
ever since they came into the house. We
don't want another tragedy"
"Who are they?" asked the landlord.
mice looking peope-young, too-but en-
gagged in the worst row you ever heard"
| Married"
"Oh, yes, they're man and wife all right
looking for a divorce, should say. But
there'll be mischief done if you don't in
| terfere and settle their quarrel for them or
find out what it's about"
"I'l go up and see them" said the land
lord, ''and you might as well come along as
a witness, and bring the boy-he may have
| to tell what he heard. Come on"
Arrived opposite parlor 26, the landlord
and his suite, reinforced by several curious
guests and a few chambermaids, stopped to
reconnoiter. All was silent, and the party
looked at each other with gloomy forebod-
ings of having arrived too late. No quarrel
was in progress, but instead peals of girlish
laughter saluted their listening ears, accom-
panied by series of masculine ha-ha's and
festive bass voice saying:
''Such lark, Nellie! l never would have
believed it possible. l never had so much
fun in my life. Why, you looked like little
savage!"
"Oh, you should have seen yourself!
! Why Clarence, dear, there was malignant
hatred in your face every time you spoke
to me. l hope we didn't overdo it. You
called me termagant."
Eyes, dear, but you called me wretch"
Here there was sound so suggestive of
a tender reconciliation--an explosive kiss
/ H., -.