Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-01-15


over the enormous bear skin rug.
He enjoyed his Scotch broth thorough
~, but when it was followed by a mas
siye Joint of cold sirloin, placed, not on
the carving table, but, in all its majesty
under his very nose, hiding his disap-
polntment with an heroic effort, he sug-
gested an explanation himself.
Something gone wrong in the kitchen,
suppose, my dear?"
Wrong?' said his wife, innocentlv,
I hope not 1t looked an excellent
JOINT. | saw it cut myself" There was
pride in her steady voice. but she
dropped her eyes before his astonished
look, fearful Of the mischievous spark
she feared might be there.
He looked across at her with sudden
anxiety.
It's all right" he said hastily. "Tm
not a bit hungry. that's ALL We've had
such rotten weather lately I'm glad
to be back again he cleared his throat
very glad"
His wife got up, with sudden twinge
OF compunction, and poured him out a
glass of port. That viii do you good"
she said gently; its the old bin"
he put his arm around her as she bent
down over him.
You've done your hair differently y
he suggested with puzzled glance
She put up her hand and stroked back
a rebellious strand, that would curl
against her will
Its heater, isn't it," she said Il
knew you'd be pleased"
She picked little bit of fluff off his
coat collar and went on softly. I'm go
Ing to try. Cecil-after what YOU said
you remember ITO take life more
seriously, and try to model myself and
the house, and, III fact, everything on
the old regime you so approve Of"
shade of anxiety stole across his
strong open face as he listened to her.
NO more foreign ways-no more
French food"-a vertical line came be-
tween his eyes, but she went on with
increasing fervor-'no more money
squandered on dress" she smoothed out
the stiff folds of her silk gown primly,
and no foolish alterations in the house."
What could he do out murmur in
coherently his approval of her conduct
as he kissed the pretty face so near his
own?
Il believe it's joke" he said doubt.
fully, as he poured himself out another
glass of port, but when he Joined her
upstairs, in the melancholy looking draw
ing room, his heart sank again.
almost cold enough for a fire. isn't
it?''
I'm May!7 Her voice showed marked
disapproval, as he moved about rest
lessly on the stiff sofa, innocent of
cushions
Just as he was turning to 60. with a
heavy gesture of annoyance, she stopped
him with appraised hand, as though fired
by fresh idea.
IF you would care, Cecil she hest
tated purposely, there's my den-as
call it; and fire-you know how chilly
| am!-and we could sit there together"
Before he could reply she ran lightly
past him and up the stairs
As he joined her, openly grumbling.
on the landing above, she threw wide
the door of room hitherto unused. and
switched on the Hgnt.
He gave an involuntary exclamation.
as his eyes fell on the bright log fire.
thanked by two deep chintz-covered
chairs, adding its sweet scent of pine
wood to that of the massed flowers scat
tered in profusion in the cosy room.
She drew forward one OF the comfort
able chairs with the pride of ownership.
sit down, darling, and light up-here
are Matches" and proceeded to make
coffee.
Once she turned and tucked a soft
cushion under his head as he Law back
comfortably in silence, drinking in the
old familiar artistic atmosphere-that
instructive touch of clever fingers now
banished from the rooms below.
And as he watched her, the only in
congruous note, in her formal Victorian
dress, her beautiful hair deformed by its
very neatness, her individuality tempered
with, slowly the lesson played its in
tended part
So that, when at length she handed
him his coffee and his eyes met hers.
Il give in" he said, under his breath.
''and for heavens sake go and get into
a comfy tea gown, old girl-and be your
self again, and, look here" his voice
rose almost gaily as he saw the happi
ness shining in her FACET didn't mean
it'll give you carte blanche in future;
do what you like, only-no more cheese
and cold beef-eh?"
And kiss wiped out the last sting of
the Early Victorian comedy.-Muriel
Hine in Black and White.