Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-05-06
ST was all SO absurdly trivial. In
fact, she had almost forgotten what

was all so absurdly trivial. In
fact, she had almost forgotten what
1t was about.
They had Quarreled before, lots of
times. and over more serious matters,
but they had always made 1t up again
directly afterward until now.
Now she came to think of 1t, 1t was
always she who had begun the quarrel
and he who had begun the making up.
And quite right, too. she said to her.
self. When he proposed to her he had
told her that he worshlped her; that he
was her slaye till death; that for her
sake he'Was rtady to go through fire
md water. She had only to command,
md he would obey.
Very well, then; she had taken him at
his word. She had commanded and he
had obeyed-until now.
She had never asked him to go
through fire and water for her. No, she
was much too reasonable for that. She
had never demanded the impossible.
The things she had expected him to do
were all quite simple and easy.
II wouldn't order George about quite
so much II l We're you, Kate" her sister
had said TO her tle other day.
"What do you mean?" she asked In
amazement.
well, don't exactly know how to
explain It," said EN-. "Yon know you're
quite pleasant. casy-going sort of per-
son. generally speaking. but with
George you're perfect tyrant. some
times wonder why he puts up with
you"
"You don't understand" returned
Kate, loftily. when man is in love
with his wife 1t is the greatest pleasure
and privilege In the world for him to do
her bidding"
Even II 1t makes him look like a
fool? asked EN-, whereupon Kate pre-.
served dignlfed silence.
OF course, Elm had never been mar
ried, never been engaged even. and
consequently knew nothing about The
feelings of people In love.
Yet, somehow, those words of Ems
ranked.
She thought of them now, as she stole
into the garden, where George had
taken refuge after dinner.
She knew where she could find him,
He was sitting In his favorite place.
under the old apple tree Mt the back of
the lawn, unconscious of her presence,
Noiselessly she stole up behind him.
and stood watching him, as he mocdily
pulled Mt his pipe.
A ladybird had dropped from some
overhanglng Dough. and was crawling
slowly up his back In the direction OF
his collar.
Had she really made George look like
fool? And did he mind looking fool
for her sake? Surely the ideal, the
perfect husband should shrink from
nothing, not even ridicule, incurred in
his wife's service. And yet-and yet
no man likes to be made to look like a
fool. 1t Isn't in human nature.
Thoughtfully she stared at the lady
bird, us 1t made its slow, laborlous jour-
ney across Georges light coat.
After all, perhaps, she had expected
him to do a little too much fetching
and carrying, and all that sort of thing.
OF course, man should wait on wom-
an. That was perfectly right and
proper, but-there are limits to every.
thing.
Was George beginning to recognize
this? Was that the reason why he had
not been as ready as usual to patch up
their last little squabble?
Now she came to think of 1t, she re-
membered how the squabble had origin.
ated.
She had commissioned him to get
certain back number of an Illustrated
paper that contained portrait which
She had admired.
The offices of the paper were In Fleet
street, and George had an Office in Hol-
born, SO that 1t would have been the
easiest thing in the world for him 10 get
that paper. But no. he had simply for
gotten all about 1t. He had had busy,
harassing day, he said. He was awful
ly sorry, and he would be sure to re-
member tomorrow.
Now, She had particularly wanted the
'er that very day, hut what upset
most was not 80 much the want of
aver, as the fact that he should