The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-01-03
Stories Of the Streets and Town

new house slippers and as he gazed
at his wife in her pretty and also
brand new gown he felt very well
pleased with himself and with life.
That was q dandy dinner, dear,
he remarked.
He was little surprised fiat the
compliment did not draw her to his
side as such remarks usually did. She
remained sitting in the Weathered
oak rocker and looked up absently
from her embroidery.
Was it?" she inquired.
"Fine!" said the Pensacola young
man with tremendous enthusiasm
He did not exactly understand why
bnt he felt an impulse to be blithe and
emphatic. He felt there was some
thing IN the air.
I'm glad you liked it," said his
wife
The young married man ccughed
and picked up the newspaper. For
i've minutes he read the advertise
ments upside down, frcwnIng He
was thinking that Mabel certainly did
rot act as usual. Perhaps she did not
feel we'll
Have you headache!" he asked
anxiously.
The young woman in the weathered
oak rocker gave him a brief and f1aet-
ing glance Il feel very well, thank
yon," she said. politely.
oh" said her husband. little
hlankiy. I'm glad dol't know 1
I-er-just thought I'd ash"
Over the edge of the paper he sent
inquiring chances at her. He had
never noticed it before, but when she
looked down as she was doing now
MabeIs profile certainly was severe.
Perhaps it was because he was used
to seeing her laugh. Now that he
thought of it she hadn't laughed all
during dinner. He wondered why.
''Were yOn alone all day." he asked
automatically. Were you Ionesome?"
Three of the girls were here all
afternoon" said his wife. We had
very good time. No. was not lone
some"
''WeH-what-has anything gone
wrong?" asked the young married
man.
'Oh, dear, not said his wife with
polite earelessness- why, what could
go wrong?"
81 didn't know" said her husband.
L thought something might. Things
do sometimes, you know. 1 thought
you seemed so quiet.
oh. do II" asked his wife, turning
Ter SmDrO1Q0Fy ABOUT
The yonng married man held his
head. A horrible feeling of helpless
ness was stealing over him. He won
dSred with a sort of chill IL this was
a natural thing and to be expected.
Maybe Mabel had grown tired of him
already. Perhaps it was the usual
thing to have ones wife grow cold
and distracted after a few weeks. But
a whole lifetime of it.
The young married man made a
great fuss over getting a cigar and
lighting it, wandering around the
room as he did So When ne passed
Mabel he touched her hair lightly as
he had a way of doing, but no an
swering uptuFned face resulted. May
be she did not notice 1t. he concluded,
for the touch was very light.
Il saw Billy Hamlin today" ne be-
gan, 'brisi6ly, as he sat downs again.
Did your" said his wife.
"He told me a big piece OF news"
went on her husband, desp srat-ly.
Did he?" said his wife.
"See here" said the young married
man hurriedly, whats the matter,
Mabel?"
Nothing is the matter" said his
wife.
"Yes, there is" protested her hus-
DdnQ. HIS tone was UuS0u VIII
alarm. Tell me what it is!
u don't see. why you think anything
is the matter" protested his wife,
raising her chin q trifie.
why, you act so odd" Insisted her
husband Not a bit like yourself. 1
wish you'd tell me-"
I'm surprised" said his wife with
her chin still higher. that YOU should
even notice how / act
why, Mabeli"
Yes, ami Hou-youve shown
plainly enough-we1, never mind"
Now. Mabel" cried the young mar
Fied man standing anxiously before
her, tell me instantly what's wrong,
Wat have I done?7
"You-you f-f,forgot to H-k-kiss me
when you came home tonight for the
f-ffirst time since we were married."
sObbed his wife. dropping the EN-
bTcidery and hunting her handker
chief, "and nev-never once said you
still l-l-loved me. l think that's
enough"
"Great guns" said the young mar
Iied man cOntritely and relievedIy,
7 believe I did forget. WAT a vii
lain l ann"