Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1904-01-21

tllda was very attentive In her-eerv1ce
at table. beaming on them as though
she would say BLESS you, my chill
dren." Late In the evening, when they
were apparently much absorbed IN
reading. they heard strange SOUND,
half cough. half sneeze, in the haH.
Prue looked up from the book. w nat
WINS thaty she said. Tom was on his
way to the door when Matilda entered
the room 'It was Inc, maa-n," she
said. II never walk in on new married
folks without giyin' 'em warnin' I'm
a-comin'-not at first. or course fhey
get used to me after awhile ana so
right on Ioverin' il do see 'em. Moth
I'm suits me better'n that"
Prue's face was scarlet She dared
not look ut Tom. oh, why hal she
enpoged the services of such silly,
sentimental creature?
IF you please, ma'am," Matilda con-
tinued. I'm goin' home now to get my
clothes, and III say good night to you
and him"
"rhought we were new married
folks did she?" Tom said grimly. Il
can't imagine why She's a good
cook" he added, "and l hope we can
keep her"
I'VE can" Prue said to herself, III
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'.'
"Oh. no." Prue cried. NO one could
suit us better than you do"
I'm 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.
IN 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 a
moment-only n moment--for Matilda
was present, and now was her opportu-
nifty to redeem herself In the girls eyes,
when she ran - meet her husband and
held up her face to be kissed. The tired
look faded from his eyes as If by mag
ic and lie put both arms around her
and held her close. HAS my little
wife come to her senses" he asked.
Hush she answered. 81 still think
it's unnecessary, but Matilda likes it.
She refuses TO stay unless we are 'af-
fectionate like" And she laughed hys-
terically.
"Oh," Tom said. That was all, but
there was world of disappointment in
the exclamation. Then he looked be-
You'd his wife at Matilda, who stood
beaming at him, her hands clasped IN
ecstasy. well, she'll stay now" he
said bitterly. II 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, IT'S just heart ache
Tom"
Heart acheT' he said gently II
thought | had monopoly of that"
Prue came close to his chair and
leaned against an arm of it. Tom"
she cried remorsefully-"Tom dear,
will you forgive me and"-her voice
sank to whisper-"klss me?"
He caught her hands in his and drew
her down beside him. ITO please Ma
tldaE' he asked
"Oh, Tom, you know better,"
Because # it's to please that girl I'll
be hanged IL r. But something pre-
vented further speech just then.
When the Dawsons celebrated their
tin wedding it was with the assistance
of their honeymoon cook.