The Washington times., 1903-02-15


ton Of Broadway and Eleventh Street. /
the sidewalk canopy. and the snatches
OF dreamy music that Aoated now and
then through the Gothic windows glow
ing with mellow light. all proclaimed
that most delightful Of social functions,
a Grace Church wedding.
In the presence OF a brilliant assem-
blage OF friends and relatives. Jessie
Amsterdam became Mrs John Brent
wood Society, as represented by the
congregation pronounced them the most
perfectly mated bride and groom it had
seen in decade OF match making Such
was the unvarying tenor OF all the con-
gratulations showered upon them at the
reception in the hospitable Amsterdam
home-with one exception. Old Colonel
Preston had the honesty 20 say that no
two people ever yet came together in
the holy bonds of matrimony without
experiencing some differences while
mutually adjusting their personal pecu-
liarities during the first year OF mar
Tied life" With warm-hearted solicit
eude. he recommended the cultivation OF
the two indispensable household bruins.
bear and forbear."
Brentwood admitted the soundness Of
his kind old friends counsel and said as
much TO his bride when they reached the
hotel. Jessie was rather inclined to re-
sent the advice as a piece OF imperti-
nence. discrediting the possibility OF fu-
ture differences between them.
She had not seen the handsome house
which was being fitted up for her in
Fifty-seventh Street. and so was all the
more delighted whom, upon her return
from their wedding tour in the South,
she was installed as its mistress. She
was n fortunate woman, and. as their
friends often reiterated, they were a
happy pair.
True, during even the first few months,
she found herself seriously Directing TO
some of Johns peculiar ideas. There
was his setter. Jack. for instance; John
would have him in the house when he
was at home. Jack was an exceedingly
well behaved dog. but his auburn coat
bad a way of shedding itself on the
furniture Then one evening. they
were sitting down to dinner with a few
invited guests. who should call but an
old Colorado acquaintance OF Brent
wood. whom he insisted upon bringing
in to dine with them. though he was in
morning costume, and a somewhat rough
diamond as we'll
so stupid OF you. joint" Jessie said
in ar aside. as the party were adjourn
ing TO the drawing room. why couldn' [
you have given him a lunch at one OF
your business restaurants tomorrow. and
avoided spelling my dinner party? You
are continually putting me out of pa
thence by your lack OF tact
But Jessie. dear. l was his guest out
there for months. and he knows no one
else in town; came straight TO me as
the only friend he has in the Eastern
States. 7 couldn't send him of in any
such way as that He may be outspoken,
but hes as true a friend as a man ever
had He's welcome to stay here as long
as he likes
surely you VIII let him go to his
hotel to Sleep"
Not il our house is comfortable
enough for HIM"
And though Jessie gave several excel
lent reasons why-even acknowledging
her husbands debt OF hospitality
would be most inconvenient TO have thi,
blunt Westerner constantly about tn,
house Brentwood was obdurste an,
she had TO pocket her objections.
As the months passed he seemed les.
inclined to accompany his wife 10 the nj
merous social functions which were dea
as the breath OF life to her. He pleade'
fatigue the desire TO do a little reading
at home, or important business: unit
finally. one evening. after a kind but de
cided refusal to attend a reception a
which she considered IT absolutely neces
sary to be present she lost all patienc
with him.
John. what am I 20 understand b
your persistent refusal TO be seen Wit
me anywhere? Do you intend to shu
yourself up in the house like a hermit
and compel me TO stay here with you il
order to avoid talk, until We lose ever
friend we have?'
Come. Jessie. aren't you a little un
reasonable? I go out with you two q
three times every week often when II
so tired that I nearly go 10 sleep al din
ner: we have people here at least tW
evenings-really. see very little Of you
dear II isn't so much Of a hermit life
after all, is it,"
Well, you know what / mean! If on
refuses invitation after invitation. peopl
get tired OF sending them. II we expec
to keep Our place in society. we must e
out and be scen-we must entertain d
our own house. or else We are very 500
dropped-and then, pray. where are We?
My dear wife. we are under obliga
lions 10 no one. socially To tell IN
truth. I only care TO see people whom
like and respect. and after this 7 don
propose 10 make a slave OF myself for
whole evening by attending a sOcia
Z function simply because the hostess in
vites us to pay of a similar festivity a
which she was our guest Now this re
ception. for instance. I've met thee
people twice--ten 10 one they can't re
call my name when ! shake hands wit
them. / only see them moment an
then stand around the rest or the even
tnr-ncrhnnr exchanging q wnrd VII