The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-11-06
ONE TOUCH
OF
NATURE.

before we were married. / knew quite
well that It would not last long. The
house is not big enough to hold your
mother and me, and one Of us has got
TO ind other quarters. She's your
mother and | haven't a word to say
against her, but we don't get on to-
gether and that's the whole truth Of
the matter"
John Ferguson looked down at his
wife with a little furrow of perplexity
on his sunburnt forehead.
you might have told me so before,
Nellie" he said. THE Pearl sails to-
night, as you know we'll enough, and
there's no chance for me to do any
thing. My mother is a good woman,
and as easy to live with as most people,
take it."
"Oh, of course it's all my fault"
i don't say whose fault it is. but l
don't know what you expect me to do.
l can't turn the poor old soul out into
the street at a minutes notice. She
doesn't deserve that sort of treatment
from me"
"And I'm not asking it, John. I'm
not unreasonable. If you were at home
always things would be different per-
haps, but you'll be away for six
months certain, and maybe longer, and
we shall quarrel all the time. l can't
stand it, indeed. But | don't wish her
to be turned out I'll go myself. Steph-
en- will be very glad to have me back
again for the time you are away"
your brother has his housekeeper
-"
ayes, but she does not make him
comfortable, and he told me yesterday
that he only wished for his own sake,
though not for mine, that l had re-
NAMED single l said would go and
keep house for him again. and he was
ever so glad about it."
And the baby-will he care to be
bothered with a young child?"
ooh, he won't mind! Why should
he?"
Captain Ferguson considered for
moment.
Mother will be very lonely" he said
at last.
ooh, no. She never minded it before
you were married" said his wife, has
tily.
Perhaps not, but she is three years
older since then. Well, you can do as
you like, Nell. shall not prevent you.
Just please yourself"
And you are not angry?'
ANGRY? Oh, mol"
COR vexed?"
He smiled little bitterly.
I'm not exactly gratifed," he said
SIT isn't likely l should be- But that
makes no difference, of course. will
tell mother, and put things straight
with her. She is very fond of little
Nellie, and will miss the child good
deal, but that can't be helped. Poor
old mother"
II shall come and see her sometimes,
of course, john"
"Oh, you will? Well, that is some
thing"
81 am sorry you are vexed, John"
"Oh, never mind, my dear! l never
did profess to understand women, but
it's all right"
But Mrs. Ferguson was not alto
gether satisfied with her interview with
her husband She was very fond OF
him, and she could not help seeing that
he was deeply hurt and grieved. He
would set out on his long voyage with
a sore heart, and it might even be that
ne would not return. She almost
wished that she had made up her mind
to bear with her mother-in-laws little
peculiarities for Johns sake, but it
was too late now; her pride would not
let her turn back.
tits all settled, Nell, said the cap
tain, coming back to the little parlor
a few minutes later You will dc
Just what suits you, and my mother
will not interfere. And now l must be
going. my dear. This is the longest
good bye we nave said since our mar
rage, isn't it? There! Don't cry! III
be back by midsummer at the latest, SC
look out for me when the roses are il
bloom. Goodbye, sweetheart"
IF you'd rather I stayed, John
sobbed Nell, clinging to her husband il
a last long embrace.
mo, I'd rather leave you happy, my
dear girl, and mother says she car
manage alone. Now, no more tears 4
you love me! Once more, good-bye'
He was gone and his wife, sobbinl
her heart out on the old horse-hair GOV