The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-02-04
He looked across at her with sudden

lie looked across at her with sudden
anxiety.
It's all right he said hastily. "Tm
not q 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 twingc
of conjunction, and poured him out a
glass of port. "That will do you good.
she said gently; Cts the old bin.''
He put his arm around her as she bent
down over him.
you've done your hair differently %
he suggested, with puzzled glance
She put up her hand and stroked back
rebellious strand, that would curl
against her will.
Its neater, isn't it? 2" she said. Il
knew you'd be pleased"
She picked little bit of fluff off his
coat collar and went on softly. 'I'm 60
ing to try. Cecil-after what you said
you remember ITO take life more
seriously, and try to model myself and
the house, and, in fact, everything on
the old regime you so approve off,
A shade of anxiety stole across his
strong open face as he listened to her.
mo more foreign ways-no more
French food"-a vertical line came be-
tween his eyes, but she went OH 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 but murmur in
coherently his approval Of her conduct,
as he kissed the pretty face so near his
own?
Il believe it's a 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
tt"
'In May!" Her voice showed marked
disapproval as he moved about rest
lessly on the stiff sofa, innocent of
cushions
Just as he was turning to go, with a
heavy gesture of annoyance, she stopped
him with appraised hand, as though fired
by fresh idea
eff you would care, Cecil she hest
tated purposely, there's my den-as I
call it.; and ire-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 a room hitherto unused, and
switched OH the light.
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 lay back
comfortably in silence, drinking in the
old familiar artistic atmosphere-tha
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 ?n
And kiss wiped out the last sting of
the Early Victorian comedy-Muriel
Hine in Black and White