The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-10-06
SHORT SPEECH.
LONG SORROW s
BY MATTE DYER BRITTs
4 CAN stay at home. then," Mrs

IathiIbnIo pIeIlg DIOWu eyes
sparkled with anger, her pretty fingers
tapped the workstand impatiently, and
hei tone was-well, snappish, to use a
mild term.
I shouldn't think a bride of a year,
with a whole wardrobe full Of dresses,
would need to be quite in the sad con.
diuon of Miss Flora Macfimsey," re-
turned her young husband, laughing
gOod-naturedly.
But, Charley, the overskirts are
muCn longer than they were a year
ago, and the basques are different. !
can't e those old-fashioneG
things"
Get 'em fixed up, then, You women
know how to do such things"
"It would cost as much as new gar
ments. Besides, Charley, nobody goes
to a big party like Mrs. Judge Nor
gan's, except in a new dress. l won't
go, and be a shabby Old fright"
"You couldn't do that if you wore
the oldest calico dress you've got" said
Charley, with a fond glance at her
lovely face, for he was very proud OF
his young wife's beauty.
But Ida was not to be won by com
pliments this time.
81 must have a new dress, Charley"
she said. "A mauve silk with lace
trimmings needn't cost over a hundred
dollars, and I'll make it nearly all my
self"
Charley shook his head.
Ida, love, | would give it to you If
I could. But I couldn't raise $50 this
month, outside of my business, to save
my life"
ITS always business! business!"
snapped Ida. You men care more for
your money than you do for your
wives!"
Charley colored, but he made an
effort to keep his temper.
I'm sorry you think so, dear" he
said, dryly. "But l can't help it. I
cannot give you a new dress now"
"Then I'll stay at home, if that will
please you!" retorted Ida, giving her
head a toss, which set her eardrops
to ~twinkling spitefully. IF l can't
dress fit to be seen at Mrs. Morgan's,
I'd better drop her acquaintance"
Charley hesitated, looked doubtful,
and at last spoke, gently and kindly:
II think, dear Ida, it would be bet
ter for you to drop several of your
ultra-fashionable acquaintance. You
cannot keep up with them in style,
and you only distress yourself and me,
too, by trying. You ought to know,
pet, that the wife of a young man just
starting in business cannot dress like
Mrs. Judge Morgan and those of her
stamp, and their society only leads
you into extravaganza"
Perhaps you'd liks me to associate
with the Dutch grocer's people around
the corner! | can dress as well as
they do" flashed Ida, whose temper
had quite run away with her discre,
ton.
Charley flushed holly, but he did not
answer her: he only got up, and put
on his hat very quietly.
Now you're off" snapped Ida. 81
thought you intended to remain with
me tonight
81 did, but you don't make your So
ciety very pleasant just now" said
Charley, as he opened the door.
Go then, and l don't care If you
never come back" cried Ida, pas
~sionately.
Charley did not answer, and the next
moment she was alone-with her re.
pentance. For her hasty words struck
a cold chill to her own heart the in.
slant they were uttered, and she would
have given anything to be able to re-
call them.
But alas! alas! The hasty word
once gone beyond the lips is gone for.
ever The long sorrow" may come,
but the short speech" can never,
never be recalled!
Poor Ida burst into bitter tears,
and wept abundantly in her sorrow
and regret.
"Ohl how could I-how could I have
said that" she sobbed. 81 DO care,
Charley has given me one cross
word! He didn't, even just now, when
| provoked him so And he only told
me the truth, too! 1t would be better
to drop my fine acquaintance, and III
be good enough and brave enough to
do It. for Charley's sake. Oh! how
| wish he would come back and for
give me for what | didn't mean to
say, | didn't, indeed! Surely, he
won't be gone long!"
She sprang up, with this thought,
as her better nature asserted itself,
made the little parlor IS bright and
tidy as possible, bathed her tear.stained
face, aud sat down to practice Char
ley's favorite pieces till he came.
He would not be long. He very sell
DOM stayed beyond nine o'clock. for