The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-12-28
An Ounce of
Prevention
by SUSIE BOUCHELLE WIGHT
opyright, 1905, by G. T. Yiskniskki

Now. Tom. dear" said little Mrs.
Ellis, handing him a cup of coffee, Il
have something serious to say to YOU"
Yes. Mr.. Ellis tone was notably
absentmindcd. He was looking at the
alluring curve of her soft white arm.
She had the cunningest way of giving
her big sleeves d twitCh to keep them
out of the way rs she passed anything
at table. aud this morning the sleeve
was a great Silkcn one embroidered
with Japanese iris. However for her
own good her husband had not told her
all her attractions for him. Not know
ing his tram of thought, she observed
only the preoccupation in his tone.
This confirmed her in the wisdom Of
her determination. but it also gave her
a queer little disposition to let down
the corners of her mouth.
We'll, it is only this, Tom she pro
ceeded. her eyes Studi0usly avoiding
his. Preoccupation in his tone was
bad enough; 10 recognize it in his eyes
would be intolerablc. You see, we
have been staying 50 closely together
since the wedding, now three whole
months. Aren't you just a little afraid
we are OVERRIDING the dcvotedf When
see so many married couples who are
just as happy away from each other,
or more so. dread The time Her lip
Int II
giving his attention to the smooth
Wilderness of her neck He did not an
swer, and in moment She Went on in
steadicr voice. You remember the
ounce of prevention DEAR
Worth a pound Of patent medicine,
isn't it, he replied frivolously, and
when she proceeded grayely her voice
had shaded down to actual wistful-
ness.
For fear, Tom, that our happiness
constant association a. ours | have
been thinking that maybe it would be
better not to see each other quite so
often. couldn't bear 10 see that you
were growing tired Of me-
Her infinite variety" he began to
quote, but she interrupted him with q
lift of the kimono clad arm that set his
thoughts adrft again. We must con
slider the subject seriously, dear she
said softly and plaintively. Suppose
we plan deliberately to keep new to
each other by taking some of our
pleasures away from each other
Goodness. Betty" he exclaimed. Il
thought we were married in order to
enjoy ourselves together"
We did, but see how people get
after a few years The Thomases.
now. for instance-hoW different they
are! And yet am old enough To re
member that they were perfectly self
ish together at first There are the
Ripleys too. They are congenia and
apparently the best of friends but
Mrs. Ripley doesn't seem 10 mind at
all that her husband spends the greater
part of his time away from her 1t Is
only that l dread such a phase in our
life"
He looked al her in surprise Who
would have thought her capable of
such serious consideration of life
problem this pretty creature of sun
shine and smiles; Just then thought
popped into his mind. Suppose she
were already getting tired = just Il
little bored with him. 1t would be
like her to coutriVe some tactfu way
of telling him Md then Betty had been
belle; there had been a score of fel-
lows dancing attendance upon her
even up To Tho very day Of the we'd
ding Perhaps She was feeling dull.
and no wonder with such Il poor stick
as he as her only companion, even il
she did love him as she professed He
pOndered NV moments, making Il
great sacrihec. while trivially engaged
in slipping h fragrant breakfast cof
fee. When he spo.,c his tone was
cheerful.
We'll. Bclt1 darling" he remarked
that had mo- occurred to me until you
spoke. but You are right There is
danger of oterdoing the devoted. and
we mustn't eet tired of each other-we
just must not have not been TO the
club-not since the wedding | Will go
there to dinner this evening, and YOU
must accept one Of your numerous in
vitations. lou have Dolly TO go with
you, and l vii send carriage to be at
your disposal for the evening"
Yes" aequicSccd Betty in small
voice kecpia@ her eyes upon her plate
She had nol expected her ideas to be
adopted will 50 little protest and il
was not cheering TO find herself so
correct in hct forcthOught
He looked ut her sharply for a mo