The bee., 1908-11-12
The First
Quarrel


~ the way Il was;
They had been married two weeks
and we're settled in a Harlem fat lie
sat In the Morris chair, smoking with
apparent contentment, but there were
signs that he was bit restless. She
idly picked up the evening paper and
glanced over II. but " divorce suits
were chronicled at any length and
there were no new affinity cases.
practically nothing but whole pages Of
politics, so she tossed the paper away.
There we're a few desultory observa.
lions from each other. but, strange to
say II seemed a trihe difficult to keep
a conversation going. or course there
was the eternally fruitful topic OF
themselves and what each meant to
the other, but this subject had been
so thoroughly discussed during their
honeymoon that neither felt exactly
like taking II up again now. They
were trying now to ignore their new
ness to each other and wanted to seem
settled and married.like. SO there
was a hint OF uncertainty a vague
uneasiness In the air Hubby glanced
az his bride as II he felt that in his
capacity as head Of the household and
her lord and master II was up to him
to do or say something or other, but
be didn't know what,
He glanced at her again. Their eyes
met and instantly each looked OF
somewhere In an attempt not to seem
ssif-eonscious. Finally he spoke.
Would you like 10 go to q show this
EVENING""
why. don't know; do you want
60 GOT" inquired the bride sweetly.
why, no. not specially; but l
thought maybe you'd like TO 60"
Why. yes. I'd like to go II you
think you'd care TO-"
We'll, don't particularly wish to;
but l thought II you felt az II you
3 wanted TO see a show, why, we'd 20"
But l don't want to drag you out
with you looking so comfy and fxed!"
protested the bride Affectionately.
How absurd" said hubby fondly
That doesn't matter II you think you
would like to go out"
But l don't want 10 go II you're
coming along just because you think
you're pleasing me-"
"Nonsense Why. I want TO go II
you want to CO."
Yes, that's just IT, But I don't
want 70 80 unless you DO"
But then II will give me no partic-
ular pleasure to 10 to a show unless
| know you are enjoying It,"
why, OF course 1 will enjoy Il II
you're along"
"All right, then" said he promptly.
"Coms on and wen 60"
But just now" said she anxiousIy,
YOU said you didn't particularly care
20; ! am sure shouldn't want to go
unless ] felt that you were getting as
much fun out Of II as L."
"F1ddlestiekBl" He said Il . trine
imDRtiently. Now listen to me and
answer yes or no--do you or do you
not want 10 90 TO a shown
why, you know. Harry. I'D just
love 10, but"
AN right then. wen gOl" OK
rfaimsd be bit shortly. sprinEing
20 HIS feet.
But I'd be perfectly miserable ell
the time" said the bride. thinking
that you'd come just to please ma, and
that we might have had cory little
evening at home IT,"
"All right then, We won't 60" man
fully REFRESHING an impulse TO anger
and replying resisnedly an he sat
down again.
He picked mp the paper and pre-
tended to become Immediately alb
sorbed in it. settling back In his chair
with an air of patient but irreVocable
hnahty. Mrs. Bride glanced appeal
iDgly at him, but his face was stony
and gave her no comfort. She sat
perturbed and anxious, feeling as n
something dreadful had happened. A
deathlike silence ensued for perhaps
two minutes. Mrs. Bride then broke
II fearfully
Harry" she said, Il feel perfectly
dreadful--as II you were terribly an
cry at me. But you are not. are you?"
Pause. 81 did think when you first
mentioned a show that 1t would be
nice TO see John Drew. I've been just
crazy to see him In that new play OF
his, but was not sure that"
Then you do want TO go. after all?"
said her husband, laying down his pa
per and staring across at her mysti-
1edly.
why. always love to 80 TO the
theater, but"
"rhen. for heat.n's sake, come on
and let's gol"
SO they went. but neither enjoyed
the play. because Harry was grump-
ish and his wife was hurt. On their
return Harry stumbled over something
IN the dark hallway. and said "h--li"
and the brides feelings gave way i'm
mediately. Then ensued their first
quarrel. II Is said they all go through |
IL some time OF other. generally IN the !
early part OF the married state