Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-09-30
THEIR
HONEYMOON
By Harrief G. Canfieid

they'd only let W. slip of quietly. Now
every one will know that we're just
married. You mustn't pay any attcn-
ton 10 me! You must read your paper.
and them
"'And them" smiling whimsically.
why, then you must go into the
smoking ear. dear"
When Jack abandoned his paper for
a cigar the old lady behind Beth leaned
forward. Excuse me-" she said. but
are you going fari'
'Yes. long distance" Then the
kind OLD face won her confidence. and
she added volubly: My husband has II
farm out west We are going there
now. but we intend TO stop nj several
places on the way"
II was thinking" the old lady said.
'of the many bridal couples that have
passed over this road. How many OF
them. | wonder, are as happy now as
they dreamt they'd be-"
"Oh, many. | hope" said the little
bride wistfully Don't you think 500"
'It all depends. or course the honey
moon can't last forever. \ man may
love his wife he ter every day he prob
ably does--but lie forgcts To tell her so.
and womans heart IL n curious thing.
She can't live on faith and apple dump
lings" Then she added. My dear. II
your husband ever forgets to show you
any OF the little signs of affection
want you 10 remember that he loves
you just the same and believes in your
love for him. but being Il man. he isn't
continually looking for Il sign"
THANK you" Beth whispered CRATE
fully. ''and I'll remember"
The old lady left the car ut the next
station. and Jack returned.
In less than two months Beth was
the established mistress Of the farm
house. though Jacks Aunt Mehltabel.
who had ruled there so long. was loath
to relinqulsh her scepter.
In Aunt Hltty's presence Beth's spir
It's were strangely subdued. Even the
Swedish girl In the kitchen felt the de-
pressing influence and hummed a
dirge whenever Aunt Kitty entered
her domain.
The weeks went by. and the little
wife's happiness was seriously In dan
ger Her nature was an active one. but
Jacks aunt opposed her every effort
20 be useful When alone with her
husband Beth was happy; their honey
moon had not waned. She longed 10
tell the kind old lady 50. But Jack
could not often be with her. The farm
work demanded his attention. Once.
when she supposed Aunt ffitty was
taking her afternoon nap. Beth gave
way 10 her feelings, and. burying her
face In Jacks old coat. she cried ms
II her heart would break.
That evening, as she sat on the wide
porch. waiting for Jack 10 join her, she
overheard Aunt Hltty talking TO him.
''Shc il so utterly incompetent"
Aunt Htty was saying. ''and 81 child
ish. This afternoon ! heard her cry
ing-actually crying. often wonder
why you married her. John"
Because loved her-that Is suf-
ficient. think" Jack answered. Poor
little girl-crylng. was she?'
Then he came out and found Beth.
standing white and still in the moon
light
This Is n lonesome place. isn't II.
deary' he said. very gently. Il think
II would do you good to return Mrs.
Lennox's call tomorrow II will cheer
her up. and Tom too
Mrs. Lennox and son seemed glad to
see them and insisted upon keeping
Beth until after ten You needn't
come for her. Mr. Bradley" Toms
mother said MY son Will take her
home"
This was the beginning OF the great
intimacy between the two families.
Jack was very busy on the farm, but
young Lennox had more time at his
disposal. lie frequently drove over for
Beth and brought her home in the
moonlight Jack rcJoiced IN their
friendship and had no thought OF jeal-
ousy until Aunt Hitty said:
beth Is never happy unless she Is
with Mr.. Lennox. I'm sure IL doesn't
look well for her TO ride with him as
often as she does" Jack laughed nj
the idea. but II came again and again
until he imagined that Beth shrank
from his caresses. and he resolved not
20 annoy her IN the future. His wife
felt that the honeymoon was waning
~ last and bravely tried to follow the
old lady's advice and believe that Jack
still loved her.
BY and by the grain rose and fell IN
golden waves and the sun beat pitiless.
iy down on the tired men toiling IN the
harvest fields. In the midst ~ II NIL
Jack succumbed 10 the heat and had
20 be helped 10 the house Aunt Kitty
took immediate possession Of him and
prescribed rest ln darkened room
He slept heavily for some time. and
when he opened his eyes Beth was
bending over him.
"Jack. dear" she said. SIS there moth
ing ! can do for you?"
Nothing" he answered stifiiy IL
shall be oil right In day or two. All
that worries me II the wheat. It's sure
20 rain before long and there's no one
10 take my place In the field. Tom
Lenn0x can't spare one OF his men. and
- n.