The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-11-20
Much Ado About Nothino
tOr!g!n;l.l


| They had been married !. nlOu:i. "l1
had just returned from the vc.|.ng
journey. They We're about to .ss
through a condition similar To :H at
mospheric change when a haiiny air
encounters a cool wave. producing Il
storm. Sentiment was to give place
to ordinary existence.
"How did you cut your chin, DEAR"
Shaving"
These We're the only words spoken at
the breakfast table. The young hus-
band scanned his paper in silence and
with Il scOwl. He was suffering from
a toothnche. The wife's brow. too,
vas clouded. She had invited some
friends to dinner, and the most de-
sirable had regretted. What should
she do about it? The husband arose
kissed her and took his hat and zane
to go out, but before doing so went
into the library, where he remained a
few minutes, came out and was about
to leave when his wife stopped him.
Haven't you forgotten something,
dear:" she said.
II? Forgotten? What is itY'
ooh, it doesn't matter"
"Then why did you mention it? II
It doesn't matter, 1t would have been
wise not to bother me about it,"
Bother your
The words were spoken as If re-
calling some memory. The husband
stood looking ut her. She still sat at
the table, her arms resting on those of
her chair.
"Come, Winifred," he said impatient
~, ARE you going to keep me stand
ing here all day waiting for you to
come 0 II with what YOU are driving
at? My time is valuable"
"Go Oh. There is no necessity for an
explanation"
Upon my word, l like that! You
tell me that l have forgotten ONE
thing; then when l ask what it Is you
say it doesn't matter. Is there any
thing you wish me to bring you from
the city,"
mo"
Anything l am to do before going?"
mo"
swell, l shall ask you no more Ques-
lions. If you are so unreasonable as
to sit there pouting-I won't call it
sulking-without enlightening me as to
the cause of your grievance, l see nc
way for me but to leave you to do
what Mrs. Tam O'Shanter did-nurse
your wrath to keep it warm"
He turned toward the front door.
stopped and came back.
"Once more l ask you to prevent all
unpleasant day for both Of us by frank
ly telling me what is the Of this
quarrel"
Twill you leave meT'
Him. What can one expect from a
woman? Frankness be hanged! There's
not a manly trait in a thousand of
them
"Thank heaven for that"
Enough of this. | am going down
town"
He put his hat on his head and cram
med it down. denting the crown by his
violence.
THAT'S what l have been begging
you to do for five long minutes"
II wish you to understand, my dear,
that if you sit at home all this pleas
ant day making yourself miserable it
Is your own fault. I give you fair
warning"
"How many more times are you go
ing to warn meT'
mot another. What's the use stand
ing here like a fool giving warnings to
- ,1~ v-h1 l0rvt ~ 1~o,,O1
to-
At this point in the debate the food
gates We're opened, and tears, accom-.
panied by sobs, poured copiously.
It is curious to note the effect of wo.
mans tears on man. They will either
mollify or irritate him. For a momen,
the husband felt that to break the hal
mirror with his walking stick would
bring infinite relief; then the picture
Of helplessness and stupidity Tor so he
considered it, before him touched his
heart. He ran to his wife and pu1
his arm about her.
Sweetheart. forgive me! I'm
brute"
"NO: you are a man. and that's
"What. darling?"
"Worse sometimes-that is. whel
they act as brutally as you have
acted"
~" bristling again. DO YOU meai
to call me brutal:"
"What would YOU consider a maj
who would leave his wife In the morn
ing, to be gone all the long day, with
out a kiss
"He would be a savage, Il beast"
"Then why didn't YOU
Il did"
"You didn't
"What's that on your CHM"
! He put his hand to his own chin
upon my word, it's the court plaste
, l put on my face when l cut myself a
shaving. l must have left it on your
when l kissed you. How fortunate tina
! l have the proof!'
"Well, l declare: It's Just too stupi'
for anything"
: "Whatt"