The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-06-23
Domestic FineSSe.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

best man at the WeQQlnS, 1 euJoyeu
many Of his condolences about Miss
Somers before he married her. He
was deeply in love, but knew that she
was a speculation; as risky as she
was fascinating.
Their differences, so far as I knew,
began two or three weeks before the
wedding day. He wished to spend
the honeymoon in Devonshire, and
she at Windemere. I said I was as
tonished that he could argue such a
point with his bride, especially as she
was so fond of the lake district. At
the railway station, just before they
started, I again mentioned the mat
ter.
Sorry you're not going to Tor
quay" I said, playfully.
"That's all right" said he. That's
quite all right, between ourselves"
Then, with a smile, he Joined his
wife in the train. and I was left won
dering, moderately, why it should be
right between ourselves"
Soon after their return from the
lakesT dined with them, and obtained
q little more food for thought.
Mr.. Reyson," said Mrs. Barlow,
apropos of nothing, isn't it ridicu-
lous Of Jim to want a cat?"
1 looked at Barlow for informa-
ton.
Isn't it unreasonable of my wife,
Reyson, to conceive such a sudden
aversion to cats?" said he, smiling
serenely.
Surely, Mrs. Barlow" I said, II
remember a beautiful Persian and
two or three more cats at Heathside
House"-her mothers residence.
THAT has nothing to do with it,"
retorted Mrs. Barlow, with an ador-
able toss of the head. 81 shan't have
one here, not even to please jim"
Barlow sighed as if he were al
ready used to matrimonial Affections.
MY only worry" he said, lis to
know which 1 like bess, Persian or
plain"
Its his fun, Mrs. Barlow" l
said. You don't know him as 1 do"
suppose I could have said nothing
exasperating to a six-weeks
wife.
IF it's his fun" she cried, with
scorn, I'm glad my sense of humor
Is feeble. 1 think we'll change the
subject, jim. But, once for all, I've
had enough cats at home"
"We certainly will not quarrel
about them yet," said Barlow, as
grave as an undertaken. "Ill put
them off for six months"
six years-eternity!" exclaimed
Mrs. Barlow. "And-this is, l
think, turbot, Mr.. Reyson.'
When we were alone 1 rallied Bark
low about the cats; but he would
have none of it.
Hush" he said. mo tales out Of
school, even to you, yet"
.
Several weeks later the Barklows
changed their housemaid; and again
I dined with them. The new girl
waited at table, and I vas greatly i'm
pressed with her attractions. She had
a sublime complexion; and, though
shy, moved with remarkable grace.
What do you think of her, Mr..
Reyson?" Mrs. Barlow whispered
eagerly, after her first appearance.
Isn't she sweet? She's from a
farm"
Clumsy young fool-that's what
she is" growled Barlow.
"Brea!:s things, I presumed"
"Not a single-Oh, yes, you must
go to the concert, MI. Reyson; you
must, indeed"
The girl was resumed after an in
terval, and though 1 don't care for
such topics of talk, I felt curious
about Barklow's unaccountable preju-
dice toward SO pleasing a young
woman.
81 tell my wife, Mr.. Reyson," he
said, that it's the greatest mistake
to engage pretty servants. Not that
Rogers is pretty"
She is, Jim," protested Mrs. Bark
low.
WELL" said Barlow, its a mercy
we see with different eyes But,
pretty or not, 1 hope she'll soo dis
grace herself and leave u.s."
That was enough about the house
maid. She is still with them, and a
pattern to other h~ousemaids. I don't
choose to ask Barlow if marriage
with a pretty wife had blinded him
to beauty in others. But if it were
so it was an extraordinary change.
Weeks wore on, and Mrs. Barlow
increased in glory-if | may so So
alike of face and demeanor. Married
life, evidently, suited her. She was
almost a platant advertisement of the
fact. Her smiles and greetings were
all of that finished, matronly kind
which seem designed (by nature or
art) to persuade single women that
they are deplorably out of it in hav-
ing no man to command them, work
for them, and stand between them
and the greater troubles of life.
And now one day l met Mrs. Bark
lows mother, and received from her
a hint that she might soon be giving
up her beautiful house to live with
the Barklows. If not a positive hint.
it was emphatically an aspiration.
Again I dined with my good
friends, and again l was confused by
what seemed to me the abnormal