Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-01-22
The First Quarrel

some time OF OAhtIs BehcAoAig III Nho
early part Of the married state. Here
is the way It was:
They had been married two weeks
and we're settled in a Harlem fat.
He sat in the Morris chair, smoking
with apparent contentment, but
there we're signs that he was bit
restless She Idly picked up the
evening paper and glanced over 1t,
but no divorce suits we're chronicled
at any length and there we're no
new affinity cases-practically moth
ing but whole pages OF politics, so
she tossed the paper away. There
were & few desultory observations
from each, but strange to say, it
seemed a trihe difficult to keep a
conversation going. OF 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 1t 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 at his bride as II he felt
that in his capacity as head OF the
household and her lord and master
It was up to him to do or say some
thing or other, but he didn't know
what
He glanced at her again. Their
eyes met, and instantly each looked
of somewhere in an attempt not to
seem self-conscious. Finally he
| spoke.
Would you like to go to a show
this EVENING""
why, l don't know; do you want
to go?" inquired the bride sweetly.
why, no, not specially; but
thought maybe you'd like to 60"
"Why, yes, I'd like to go IL you
think you'd care to"
We'll, l don't particularly wish
to; but l thought If YOU felt as il
you wanted to see a show, why, we'd
CO."
But don't want to drag you out
with you looking so comfy and fix
ed!" protested the bride affection
ately.
How absurd" said hubby fondly.
"THat doesn't matter if you think
you'd like to so out"
But l don't want to so If you're
coming along Just because you think
you're pleasing me-"
''Nonsensei Why, want to go il
you want to go"
Yes, that's Just it! But l don't
want to go unless YOU do"
"But then 1t will give me no par
ticular pleasure to go to a show un-
less | know you are enjoying it"
"Why, of course / will enjoy II
If you're along"
"All right, then" said he prompt
ly. Come on and we'll go"
But just now" said she anxious
ly, you said you didn't particularly
care to; l am sure l shouldn't want
to go unless felt that you were
! getting as much fun out OF It as l."
"Fiddlesticksl" He said it triile
impatiently. Now listen to me and
answer yes or no-do you or do you
not want to go to a show?"
why, you know, Harry, I'd just
love to, but"
"All right, then. wen gol" ex-
claimed he a bit shortly. springing
to his feet.
But I'd be perfectly miserable all
the time" said the bride, thinking
that you'd come just to please me
and that We might have had a cozy
little evening at home f."
IAN right then, we won't CO."
manfully repressing an impulse to
anger and replying resignedly as he
sat down again.
He picked up the paper and pre-
tended to become Immediately alb
sorbed in 1t, settling back in his
chair with an air of patient but ir-
revocable finality. Mrs. Bride
glanced appealingly at him, but his
face was stony and gave her no COM
fort. She sat perturbed and anxious,
feeling as If something dreadful had
happened, A deathlike silence en-
sued for perhaps two minutes. Mrs.
Bride then broke it fearfully.
Harry" she said, Il feel perfect.
ly dreadful-as if you were terribly
angry at me. But you are not, are
you?" Pause. Il did think when
you first mentioned a show that II
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 90 after
all?" said her husband, laying down
his paper and staring across at her
mystifedly.
why, l always love to go to the
theatre, but"
Then, for Heavens sake. come
on and let's go."
So they went, but neither enjoyed
the play. because Harry was grump-
ish and his wife was hurt. On their
return Harry stumbled over some
thing in the dark hallway, and said
HI" and the brides feelings
gave way Immediately. Then en-
sued their first quarrel. It Ia said
they all go through it some time or
other, generally in the early part OF
the married state.