The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-11-12

came HON" that evening.
"Nou will be glad to hear that I've
engaged new girl" Prue said TO him
in the distantly polite tone that she
had recently adopted in speaking to her
husband
Every glad he answered "if she Is
an Improvement on Hannah"
The dinner WIS c24ellaut. aud Ma
tilda was very attentive III her service
at table, beaming on them as te4ngh
she would say. Bless you, my ell
dreni" Late in the evening, when they
were apparently much absorbed il
reading, they heard d strange sound,
half cough, half sneeze, in the hall.
Prue looked up from the book. What
was thatY she said. Tom was ON his
way to the door when Matilda entered
the room. ut was me, maam." she
said. 81 never walk in on new married
folks without giyin' 'em warnin I'm
a-comin'-not at first. OF course they
get used to me after awhile and go
right on loverin' If do see 'em. Moth
In suits me better'n that
Prue's face was scarlet. She dared
not look at Tom. Oh, why had she
engaged the services of such a silly,
sentimental creature?
IF you please. ma am" Matilda con-
tinued, I'm goin' home now to get my
clothes. and I'll say good night to you
and him"
Thought we were new married
folks did she?" Tom said grimly al
can't imagine why. She's a good
cook" he added, land l hope we can
keep her"
I'VE can" Prue said to herself, "if
we will meet her peculiar require
ments But I'll not be driven into any
foolishly unnecessary display of affec-
ton"
For three days the Dawsons enjoyed
the results of Matilda's culinary eff
forts, but a heavy heart will affect the
best of appetites somewhat, and on the
fourth day Matilda complained that
they didn't seem to relish their vic
tuals" and she Guessed she'd better
be goin'"
ooh. no." Prue cried. mo one could
suit US better than you do
Pm glad of that, ma'am; but there's
another reason And she hung her
head.
Prue was painfully embarrassed, for
she could guess the other reason. Il
hope you will stay" she stammered.
I'm think it over till tomorrow
ma'am, but feel as if Hannah hadn't
been fair with me- leadin' me to expect
things was different between you and
him from what they really be-"
Tom came home later than usual that
night Prue was in the hall giving
some instructions to Matilda when he
opened the door. His eyes looked tired
and sad, she thought. She hesitated q
moment-only a moment-for Matilda
was present and now was her opportu-
nifty to redeem herself in the girls eyes,
when she ran to meet her husband and
held up her face to be kissed. The tired
look faded from his eyes as if by mag
tc, and he put both arms around her
and held her close. HAS my little
wife come to her senses?' he asked.
HUSH. Slle answered.. i SUN llllllh
It's unnecessary, but Matilda likes it,
She refuses to stay unless we are 'af-
fectionate like" And she laughed hys-
terically.
ooh" Tom said. That was all, but
there was Il world of disappointment in
the exclamation. Then he looked be-
yond his wife at Matilda. who stood
bcnming Mt him. her hands clasped in
ecstasy. "WeH. she'll stay now he
said bitterly. Il congratulate you"
Yes; Matilda had decided to remain.
She came to the sitting room door after
dinner to announce her decision
After she had gone Prue left her seat
and moved restlessly about the room.
Then she sighed so deeply that Tom
looked up from his paper. Head
ache?" he asked
"N-no," she said. Her lips trembled,
and she buried her face in her hands
and sobbed out, ITS just heart ache,
Tom
Heart ache?' he said gently 81
thought had monopoly of that"
Prue came close to his chair and
leaned against an arm of 1t. Tom"
she cried morsefully-"Tom dear,
will you forgive me and"-her voice
sank to whisper-"kiss me?"
He caught her hands in his and drew
her down beside him. TO please Ma
tilda 2" he asked
ooh, Tom, you know betterw
Because If it's to please that girl I'll
be hanged If p But something pre-
vented further speech just then.
When the Dawsons celebrated their
tin wedding it was with the assistance
Of thnir hnnnr1nnnr, nn..l.