The Glenwood post., 1907-01-19
An Ounce Of
Prevention
BY SUSIE BOUCHELLE WIGHT
Copyright, 1906, by G. T. yiskniskki
1905, by G. T. viskniskki

"Now, Tom, dear" said little Mrs.
Ellis, handing him a cup Of coffee, 81
have something serious to say to YOU
"YesP" Mr.. Ellis tone was notably
absentminded. He was looking at the
allucing curve Of her soft white arm
She had the cunningest way Of giving
her big sleeves a twitch to keep them
out Of the way as she passed anything
at table, and this morning the sleeve
was a great silken one embr oidered
with japanese iris. However, for her
own good her husband had not told her
all her attractions for him. Not know
ing his train Of thought, she observed
only the preoccupation in his tone.
This confirmed her in the wisdom Of
her determination, but it also gave her
queer little disposition to let down
the corners of her mouth.
well, it Is only this Tom," she pro.
ceeded, her eyes studiously avoiding
his. Preoccupation in his tone was
bad enough; to recognize it in his eyes
would be intolerable. "You see, we
have been staying so closely together
since the wedding, now three whole
months. Aren't you just a little afraid
we are OVERRIDING the devoted? When
l see so many married couples who are
just as happy away from each other.
or more so, l dread the time Her lip
quivered, but this time Mr. Ellis was
giving his attention to the smooth
whiteness of her neck. He did not an
swer, and in moment she went on in
steadier voice, You remember the
ounce of prevention dearf"
"Worth a pound of patent medicine
isn't it?" he replied frivoously, and
when she proceeded gravely her voice
had shaded down to actual wistful.
ness.
- For fear, Tom, that our happiness
should lose some of its tone in such
constant association as ours | have
been thinking that maybe it would be
better not to see each other quite SO
often. l couldn't bear to see that you
were growing tired of me-
Her infinite variety" he began to
quote, but she interrupted him with
lift of the kimono clad arm that set his
thoughts adrift again. 1--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 We're married in order to
enjoy ourselves together"
I'VE did, but see how people get
after a few years. The Thomases,
now, for instance-how different they
are! And yet l am old enough to re
member thai they were perfectly self
ish together at first. There are the
Ripleys too. They are congenial and
apparently the best of friends, but
Mrs. Ripley doesn't seem to 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 at 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
poppCu lhlo LIS lullll. suppose Sis
We're already getting tired = just
little bored with him! 1t would be
like her to contrive some tactful way
Of telling him. And then Betty had been
a belle; there had been a score of fel.
lows dancing attendance upon her
even up to the very day of the wed.
ding. Perhaps she was feeling dull
and no wonder, with such poor stick
as he as her only companion, even If
she did love him as she professed. He
pondered few moments, making
great sacrifice, while trivially engaged
in slipping his fragrant breakfast cof-
fee. When he spoke his tone was
cheerful.
well, Betty darling" he remarked,
that had not occurred to me until you
spoke, but you are right. There is
danger of OVERRIDING the devoted, and
we mustn't get tired of each other-we
just must not! have not been to the
club-not since the wedding l will go
there to dinner this evening. and you
must accept one Of your numerous in
vitations. You have Dolly to go with
you, and l will send a carriage to be at
your disposal for the evening""
YES" acquiesced Betty in a small
voice, keeping her eyes upon her plate
She had not expected her ideas to be
adopted with so little protest, and 1t
was not cheering to find herself so
correct In her forethought.
He looked at her sharply for mo
ment, then came over to her side Of the
table and kissed her goodby most af
fectionately. She longed to tell him
that it would seem like month for
him to be gone until late that evening
before she should see him again, but
no-if he was already feeling the pull
of the silken chain that bound them to-
gether she must not let him know that
she was aware Of 1t. She sprang mer-
rf1y I'm won't with hin, T., tbn ,lon,,