Middletown transcript., 1907-12-07

AUSTIN anu !, Sn0 conblnueu,
are never going to quarrel when
we're married.
I see. You're getting it all
over beforehand.
Celia gave me one of her IA
nous cold dou Il e looks as she put
the question:
What do you mean
II beg your pardon. l mis-
understood you. You mean that
when you're married you will
continue to treat each other with
unrufaed amiability?
Exactly.
I should explain here that
Celia is twenty and Austin twen-
ty-two. Celia's father urges her
to wait at least two years, and
Austin's mother insists that he
shall not take wife within three
years. But / happen to know
that the young couple are already
house hunting. The lucky
suburb they propose to adorn
with their presence is Richmond.
I don't wish to discourage you,
I ventured to observe, bat
wouldn't it be wise, perhaps, to
allow yourselves, say, onesquab-
BILE week 4? Just to clear the
air, you know.
I have yet to learn, replied
Celia loftily, that squabbling
clearsftl1e air.
It does, theughA just as sneez.
ing cIeass the head. Besides, il
you nevens squabble, you'll never
know the delight Of making it up.
If you'll excuse my saying SO,
Ican't see the sense of quarrel
ing for the sake of makingit up.
You might as well ask me to cut
my finger for the pleasure of get
ting it to heal. No; Austin and
and I have arranged to dispense
with the usual vulgar squabbles.
and we have thoughtof a splen-
did plan to help US carry out the
idea.
I'm so glad, May one ask
what it is?
Certainly. Ishould like every.
body TO Fnow it, and then the
world would be ever SO much
happier. We hit upon it by ask
ing ourselves what was the rea-
son for all these rows between
married people. What would
you say was the reason?
Lack of money.
Don't try to be cynical.
Incompatibility of temper.
No. You seem rather stupid
this afternoon. so III tell you.
People squabble because there's
no definite understanding as to
whose word shall be law.
All! / never thought of that.
And which of you two is to be
the master?
Neither-and both.
Oh, yes. That sounds excel
lent
Celia was vastly amused at m y
confusion.
I thought I should puzzle you,
she said. Now I'll explain.
When we differ on a very big
affair, Austin is to decide. Isn't
that a splendid plan
Magnificent
{ You don't think SO, you sulky,
disagreeable old wretch .
Yes. I do, really. The only
difficulty l foresee-
I might have known you d fore.
see something horrid! You re
the kind of person who makes il
impossible for people to live ur
to their ideals.
I'm sorry, ! won't tell you
what / foresaw.
At this. of course, she fell tc
coaxing. I was not to be angry.
1t was only her fun, and | was a
dear old thing to bother my head
about them at all With more to
the same effect, which meant
that Celia was inquisitive. Pre-.
sently I allowed myself to be
persuaded.
/ was going to say that the
only difficulty ! foresee will
arise when it becomes necessary
to decide whether the matter IN
der consideration is a big one OF
small one
Oh, that viii be obvious, argued
Celia. But my suggestion
had evidently made her uncom.
Portable.
I hope 50, but m not sure.
For example, suppose Austin's s
mother wanted to come and live
with you Would that be a big
matter or a small one
a big one, said Celia promptly;
but in that case, you see, j
should decide, because Austin