Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-08-21

'Nhat rs the ulHerence between you
and me? \ wedding ring"
"And all II symbolizes." rejoined my
wife, softly.
That's house on a fifth-rate terrace,
with only one stop-cock for eight Of ye,
and the lady next door cuts off the wa
ter when she has had few words with
you over the hedge know i'll"
sneered the other.
20, il symbolizes more" said Edith,
but her tone was weaker; the thrust
had gone home, for the study Of hy-
drostatics had been forced upon us Of
late.
"And what is that, pray?" demanded
Arbuscula, insolently.
ITO explain would be to insult your
intelligence - and yourself" replied
Edith. Beat in carte, lunge in tierce!"
thought /.
20. I'm not thin-skinnedl" laughed
Arbuscula.
81 made allowances" rejoined my
wife.
Arbuscula's lips became a thin line
Of scarlet. Then they parted, and she
smiled. ! knew that she had always
possessed a most unfeminine sense Of
humor, but was not prepared for It's
assertion at this supreme moment
The two women stood looking at each
other across the table. Arbuscula's
dazzling smile lighting her face, my
wife's pale, yet never so beautiful
thought, though now, enlightened by
the contrast, noted lines OF anxiety
which had been creeping there during
the past months, and violet shadows
under the sweet eyes. The other gath
cred up the letters and began to
shuttle them as one would a pack OF
cards.
"You are dying to read theml" she
said.
My wife's voice said mo-" her face
was not so explicit.
"IIere's one-it's poetry" continued
Arbuscula. "It was written for stays
invented, the Arbuscula busk-you
might have heard OF III"
"No, IL must have been before my
time" said Edith, innocently.
Possibly you came rather late in the
day." retorted the other.
But came TO stay!" answered my
wife.
Arbusculn laughed. Edith put her
hand upon the bell.
"You, surely, will not compel me?"
she said. 81 have been very patient"
you'll want all the patience you have
in the good time coming" rejoined the
other.
"And you, what will your future be
without patience?" asked Edith.
"My future can take care of itself"
cried Arbuscula. laughing n laugh,
short as the snap OF n breaking sword
blade. "Tm a woman with n past, the
sort morality humbugs chatter about;
but II had future, like you, by c.,
I'd try TO get something better than the
butt end OF roue!" "Using the hilt,"
thought !.
My wife laughed gsyly now. "You
know the old adage," she said, "the best
husband is a reformed rake. Mems fol-
lies often serve as beacons TO guide
them past the other shoals and shall
lows OF life. Experience enables them
to appreciate things-it is a good light
for man"
"And a useless one for woman" an
swered Arbuscula, with sudden
change OF tone; "it's like the poop-light
which shows the foam upon the reef
that has just torn the poor ships side
out--much good, when the masts are
going by the board"
She gathered the letters together;
whatever had been her purpose in com
ing, | could see her grasp upon II was
gone. Catching at that moment the re-
Election OF my own face in a mirror OPP
posite, l was so III pleased by the sight
that | stole downstairs, hearing an
other hacking laugh and the tinkle OF n
bell as went.
| returned TO the garden and com
menced TO patiently dig up the border
Presently Edith came out also, with
an armful of plants she began TO sort.
singing a cradle song much admired
the while.
went over 10 her. VI got those
carnations up" I said; but, for the
life of me, can't say which is
which,"
She ran TO the border. "Ah, You
took far too much trouble, dear" she
said, softly. "And after all your labor.
too! I'm so sorryl" She pressed my
arm, and the touch covered more than
the words.
"But the line was not straight"
answered averting my eyes.
We'll draw straighter one, now,
you and l." she whispered
l passed my arm about her waist and
kissed her, She put both her own
around my neck
"My wifel" said |.
"lou old goose" she whispered, bit.
ing my ear, 81 saw you all the timel"-
nIunL nnI WHIT