The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-08-29

Kirby, dear, my hostess S
"this is Miss Dunham." We bowet
coldly. "She is an applicant, SO yol
two must be good friends"
He glanced timidly toward me.
presume 1 looked rather forbidding il
my severe black suit, compared K
his wife in a gorgeous red dressing
sacque.
'Now, Mrs. Smith," l said, in :
business-like way, "you must leave
us alone for awhile to do our court
ing"
1t was by a mighty effort l con
trolled my features at the helpless
wild look that sprang into Mr.
Smiths eyes.
Certainly" she answered in {
surprised tone. detected shade o.
jealous resentment in her voice. Il
gave me my cue understood the
situation perfectly, and determined
to do bit of missionary work.
hoped to teach the spoiled, wayward
wife a lesson she would not be likely
to forget.
When alone with Mr.. Smith
whispered few words in his ear.
His face lighted up instantly.
"You are sure she will come back :"
he asked, anxiously.
Certainly she will, if she leaves at
ALL" 1 replied, heartily.
He was an intelligent fellow, with
but one weakness, that of over absorp-
ton in his fad for chickens. liked
him, however, and much better than
did his silly little wife. He grasp
ed my hand firmly.
Thank you !" was all he could
say.
A feeling of genuine loneliness
swept over me. 1 would have liked
to be petted by such man. I called
Mrs. Smith after few minutes. She
looked sulky as she came in the par
lor.
"Is it all arranged?" she asked
with suspicious choke in her bird
like throat.
ACoy We AdtC PAduLO0 CVCl
so you can go any time you wish.
Until a divorce can be arranged /
will stay here as housekeeper and will
feed the chickens. You need not be
kept longer from your beloved stage
work"
"You can go now !" I repeated,
opening the door wide. She turned
and flew upstairs, and door Slam
med viciously. The lines of anxious
thought deepened on the mans face.
"Cheer up!" 1 said. His eyes
frightened instantly. They were
such expressive, soulful lights.
We heard a light football on the
stairs, and 1 hurried1y crossed the
room to where Mr.. Smith was sitting.
1 laid a hand afectionately on his
shoulder, but did not expect he
would enter into the little ruse. To
my surprise he put his powerful arm
the protecting sense it carried with
its tenderness? ?-and lightly touched
my forehead with his full red lips.
In that minute l hated Mrs. Smith,
for knew life would never be the
same to me again. She had come
into the room, but had made hasty
exit. We changed our position and
1 called to her. She came back slow
ly. Her eyes were swollen and red.
Until then I did not notice her dress,
or rather lack of it. She had on
short petticoat, which made her look
like child of II. Her hair fell in a
mass of golden curls about her plump
shoulders.
81 only wanted to see what time
it is," she said, i'll explanation. I
smiled, for had just heard a clock
strike upstairs.
cit is exactly one, as your bed
room clock will tell you," Mr.. Smith
said, sternly. She looked at him in
frightened manner as she left the
room.
In less than ten minutes we heard
her coming again.
Kirby" she stammered, will
you please fasten my waist?" She
was very humble now. I grew in
dignant.
Indeed, Mrs. Smith," I said, an
grily, 81 will allow no such liberties
between you and my intended hus.
band" She simply stared at me, un-
comprehendingly.
every WE'LL" she answered, back
ing out of the room in a decidedly
ungraceful fashion. She crossed the
hall, but did not open the door. She
was evidently trying to hook her
waist. Twice Mr.. Smith started up,
and twice gave him vigorous push.
He looked utterly miserable.
In a minute or two a distressing
little face appeared between the por-
there's. With tinge of coquetry she
asked:
MAY 1 kiss Kirby goodbye
Just once?"
'Just once % said roughly.
She came up to him softly and lift
ed her mouth to his. 1t was too
much for him. Before I realized it
he clasped her in his arms, and she
hugged and kissed him as if they had
been parted for years.
1 stole out of the room, first pick
ing up the wee chick which had been
dropped and almost mashed in the
joyous union of two hearts. l Icarried
it to the kitchen and pressed silent
kiss on its pretty white head. I
brushed tear aside and smiled. l
recalled painfully the one brief mo-
ment "Kirby's" arm had been around
my waist, and l blushed.
As 1 passed through the hall ]
heard the wife's fearful voice saying
81 will feed the chickens, and
won't go to another rehearsal. And,
Oh, Kirby, l love you, I love you,
love you '
The sun had gone behind the clouds
- IL arl~ =