The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-06-04
MR.. AND MRS. BARRrsrER.
"No, I am not going"


Pardon me, l think you are"
Edwin, in the first place, 1 am
afraid of the horses in the second,
want to finish my book; and in the
third, don't care for the flowers"
Margaret, in the first place, you
should not give way to your foolish
nervousness in the second, your
brain needs rest from all this trashy
reading; and, in the third, I told
Thompson to expect us this afternoon
for the flowers
Aone-eared interest in this dialogue
had been letting the conversation of
the rest of the table sink, to a mean
ingless rumble. Finally, all were
silent except the landlady-who could
listen and talk with perfect ease.
"That may all be true, Edwin. :"
There was tone of worry and COM
plant in her voice. 'I'm not going"
Her husband gave faint smile.
Excuse me, you are going" he
said, coldly.
Here even the landlady stopped to
listen expectantly, and all eyes were
fixed on the two speakers.
eHo-~oicad t,ic ewes ard of his o,sicl,
started and took UP their knives and
forks.
"What were you saying, Mrs. Par
sons?" he asked, smiling pleasantly
at the 1andlady.
And, wonder of wonders Mrs.
Parsons was for moment embarrass-
ed. But only for moment.
II was saying" she answered,
briskly, "that we're going to have a
cold summer, and Mr.. Bryce here
says we're not.
Mr.. Bryce and the other boarders
gratefully forgave the lie.
"Well, judging by today, I agree
with Mr.. Bryce, said Edwin Barris-
ter, rising and glancing at his wife.
She rose hurriedly, and they left the
room together.
"He's BRUTE Mr.. Bryce said,
emphatically, and then the talk went
on Of itself.
1t is a boarder's undeniable privi-
lege to discuss with those at table
those who have just left. So now, as
had often been the case before, Mr..
and Mrs. Barrister furnished subject
matter for the inmates of Mrs. Par
sons select seaside boarding house.
They were both young, and she was
beautiful there was nothing remark
able in all that, but their behavior
certainly was extraordinary. There
was something strained and i'll at ease
in her manner; something nervous,
almost pleading. And in him there
was coldness, a touch of stern supe-
riority, that fascinated while it anger
ed them all extremely. Did she keep
out of their way by choice, that they
might not see his cruelty to her, OF
had he commanded her to do it J?
They did not know, but they knew
very we'll that she avoids them.
After each meal she would leave
them, would go out on the sands, he
following always. silently, relentless
ly, like threatening shadow.
At dinner that night Mrs. Barrister
was late and Mr.. Barrister sat by her
vacant place with frown on his
brow, which he took no pains to con
ceal. At last his wife entered, glanc
ing apologetically at him.
IT am very sorry I am late, +" she
said, slipping into her chair with low
cred eyes.
1--WE are very sorry, too" he an
swered, dryly.
Mrs. Parsons said that cit made
absolutely no difference at ALL" ant
followed it up with string of rea
sons and anecdotes to prove her as
sertiou. When she had finished
Mrs. Barrister looked at her crate
fully.
81 am very glad," she said, "tha
it really makes no difference.
"I tell you," said Mr.. Barrister
turning angrily on his wife, "that i
makes a great difference. +" No on
dared to contradict him, not evei
Mrs. Parsons, but Mr.. Bryce's eye
looked threatening.
This little incident seemed to in
crease Mr.. Barrister's temper, ant
his wife's nervous embarrassment
She passed him what he had not ask
ed for, and he stormed at her; sh
blundered, and he snapped her up
altogether it was most unpleasant to
everyone.
"Don't you think" said Mrs Par
sons, bluntly breaking silence wit
her stock sentence for the purpose
"don't you think that literature
declining nowadays?"
"Well, it depends on what you ez