The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-01
TIE EVENING STORY
An Odd Honeymoon.
(By Virginia Blair.)

An Odd Honeymoon.
(By Virginia Blair.)
1t was beautiful little cottage
with wide porch. a lawn sloping
down to the frozen lake and great
trees, heavy now with winter SHOWS.
Within was deep fireplace built Of
rough stones.
II think it was perfectly lovely of
Cousin Beth to let us come here,
said the little bride.
Her husband bent and kissed her.
It's the nearest thing to Paradise
that can imagine" he said fervently.
That's the beauty of the coun-
try" Joyce emphasized.
ut is bliss after the hurry and
worry of getting married" her hus-
band teased. IT don't see why you are
not worn. to fragile. joy
II was so happy" said the little
bride softly. that I didn't have time
to get tired. But it does seem good
to rest. away from everybody
I'll build fire in the fireplace"
Philip said land we might get a
warm supper over the coals.''
Joyce's laughter rippled. Phil
Brandon she said. "I think you are
wonderful to have such confidence in
my cooking"
You do everything WELL" was his
assertion.
But Joyce had some doubts as she
tied on the distractingly pretty apron
with its pink ribbons and surveyed the
pots and pans. Hitherto her culinary
skill had been tried only in her
mothers dainty apartment, where a
chafing dish and a competent maid
had made things easy.
But there were was no obliging
housemaid, and the sacks of flour and
the cans and bottles of supplies had a
discouraging unfinished look
81 might make pancakes" Joyce
ventured doubtfulIy.
'Of course" was Philips ecstatic
acquieScence.
But while she stirred and whipped
and mixed the necessary ingredients
energetically, the pancakes were not
success. With unlimited maple
syrup, however, they were eatable,
and Phillips enthusiasm supplied all
defects.
"Of course you can't expect to have
things perfect when cooking under
such difficulties he said. as he
moved the griddle from the Goals and
wiped off the ashes. Tomorrow
when our coal comes we will have the
stove in running order. and then we
will have feasts-iust you and king
and queen in our own domain"
But the stove didn't help matters
much Joyce's efforts at cooking
were distinctly discouraging. More
over she couldn't keep her finger nails
pink and shining and her hair in
it's usual crown of puffs.
For I just can't look nice and
cook, Phil she said. almost tearfully
one night.
Never mind" said Phil. But his
tone was trif1e doubtful. He did
miss Joyce's usual pretty plumage. In
spite of love and romance there was
Something lacking. Philip had lived
hitherto in his mothers weli-ordereo
household.
But he wouldn't complain. Joyce
was dear and sweet. and he didn' t
want cloud on her face so he ate
soggy biscuits and overdone steaks
But Joyce couldn't smile. tt new
er worked so hard in my life," she
confessed one morning, land I don't
think I like housekeeping. Phil"
A little shadow came into Philips
eyes. He was of race of men, strong
had dreamed of the
little apartment over which Joyce
should preside. He could not afford
a servant.
If they did not keep house, room
in cheap boarding place must be
their home. He sighed, then made a
little protest. you know 1t won't be
so hard after you've learned. Joyce"
Joyce leaned forward and looked
into the flames. But I am not sure
that want to learn. Philip" she said.
After that neither of them said
much, but something was lost out of
BY noon they were practically snow
bound They ate an unappetising
lunch of canned salmon and crackers
Joyce was not in the mood to cook
and, as an inevitable consequence,
by o'clock they had quarreled.
eff you loved me you wouldn't care
what you ate." was Joyce's accusation
when Philip had complained of hun
ger.
"It seems to me that hunger has
nothing to do with love-"
Philip had visions of what his moth
er's table would be under like condi-
tons, but. of course. his mother was
his mother, and Joyce was Joyce. And
his little wife was a dear.
So his arms went about her and he
kissed her, and asked if he couldn't
get the dinner for a change, and hav-
ing gained her consent he went into
the kitchen to forage.
Somehow the prospect didn't seem
hopeful. He wasn't sure that he could
fry eggs, but he thought he might try.
First he sliced the bacon, glancing in
to the other room now and then to
see Joy in the easy chair.
1t seemed difficult to break the eggs
He was sure that he wasn't
doing it in a workmanlike manner.
He was looking at the mixed mass in
despair when a voice behind him
said, Let me do it,
He turned with start. A tall, gray
stood in the shadows. ST got
ost in the snow" she said, land 1 saw
your light. I knocked, but I guess
you were in the other room. So I
opened the door and came in and then
you came out and broke the eggs. and
saw you didn't know much about it.
t amt work for a man."
mo, it isn't" Philip agreed. Then
lie added quickly. as though what he
aid had implied doubt of Joyce,
But she was tired-it's such de-
PRESSING day.
Nothing ought to be depressing"
he woman said, grimly, when two !
people amt been married but two |
veeks.'