The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-10-27
Much Ado About NOTHING


"Shayng'
These were the only words spoken At
the breakfast table. The Young hus-
band scanned his paper in silence amt
with n scoWl. He was suffering from
II toothachc The Wife's brow. too
was clolded She had invited some
friends t. dinner. and the most de
sirahlc had regretted What should
she lo about it? The husband arose.
kissed her and took his hat and can"
to go out. but before doing 50 went
into the library. where he remained a
few minutes. came out and WAS about
to leave when his wife stopped him.
"Havnn't lou forgotten something.
DEAR" she said
Il? Forgotten? What is it,"
cob. it doesn't natter
"Then why did YOU mention it? IT
it doesn't matter. it would have been
wise not to bother me about it.
Bother youG'
The words were spoken as if re
calling some memory. The husband
stood looking at her. She still sat at
the table. her arms resting on those of
her chair.
Come. Winifred" he said inpatient
~. "are YOU going to keep me stand
ing here all day waiting for you to
come out with what you are driving
at? My time is valuable"
eco ON There is no necessity for IN
explanations"
Upon my word. like that, You
tell me that | have forgotten some
thing: then when | ask what it is You
say it doesn't matter. Is there any
thing YOU wish me to bring YOU from
the city
"No''
"Anythiug am TO do before going|
"No"
We'll | shall ask You no more ques-
tons If YOU are SO unreasonable as
to sit there pouting-I won't call i!
sulking- without enlightenng me as To-
the cause of your grievance. ! see no
way for ne 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 | ask you to prevent an
unpleasant day for both of us by frank
ly telling me what is the cause of this
quarrel
"Will you leave me-
lin. What can one expect from a
woman? Frankness he hanged. There's
not a manly trait in 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 dowa. denting the crown by his
violence
That's what have been begging
you to do for five long minutes
81 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. give you fair
warming"
"How many more times are you go
ing to warn me?''
"Not another. WHAT'S the use stand
ing here like fool giving warnings to
woman who hasn't sense enough
to-
At this point in the debate the flood
gates were opened. and tears. accom-
panied by sobs. poured copiously,
1t is curious to note the effect of wO-
mans tears on man. They will either
molify or irritate him. For a moment
the husband felt that to break the hall
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 put
his arm about her.
Sweetheart. forgive me. I'm
brute"
mo: YOU are man, and that's
what, darIing?'
"Worse sometimes-that is, when
they act as brutally as YOU have
acted"
~" bristing again. "Do you mean
to call me brutal?'
What would you consider a man
who would leave his wife in the morn
ing, to be gone all the long day. with
out kiss?''
"He would he Il savage. q beast"
"Then why didn't YOU
Il did,
"You didn't
"What's that on your chinW
He put his hand to his own chin.
Upon my word. it's the court plaster
| put on my face when l cut myself at
shaving | must have left it on yours
when kissed you. How fortunate that
l have the proofr'
well, l declare; it's just too stupid
for anything"
"What?'
"Why, you, of course"
But you-surely it is you who were
mistaken
But it Is you who were stupid
How could see the plaster on my own
face? 1t was plain enough to you"
"True. l am not only a brute. but a
tool"
you should certainly have seen what