Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-11-16

WIZ Eidu' Nv ANS WtIeu. ~ Z re =.
an Improvement Oh Hannah"
Ihe dinner was excellent. and Me
tilda was very attentive m her servic"
at table. benning on them ms though
she would say. Bless you. my chil-
drcn"' Late in the evening. when thev
were apparently much absorbed ip
reading they heard strange sound
half cough. half sneeze. in the hall
Prue looked up from the book. What
was that?" she said Tom was Oh Bis
way to the door when Matilda entered
the room. 1T was me. ma'am," she
said. Il never walk in on new married
folks without givin 'em warnin' I'm
a-comin'-not at first. OF course they
get used to me after awhile and go
right on lOverin' If ] do see EN-. Moth
in suits me better'n thatw
Prue's face was scarlet. She dared
not look at Tom Oh, why had she
engaged the services of such a silly.
sentimental creature?
"lf YOU please. ma'am," Matilda con
tlnued. Pm goin' home now to get my
clothes. and I'll say good night to you
and him"
Thought we were new married
folks did she?' Tom said grimly. 81
can't imagine why. She's a good
cook" he added, "and I hope we can
keep her"
I'VE can" Prue said to herself, III
we will meet her peculiar require
mcnts But I'll not be driven into any
foolishly unnecessary display of affec-
ton"
For three days the Dawsons enjoyed
the results Of Matilda's culinary eff
forts. but a heavy heart will affect the
best of appetites somewhat, and or the
fourth day Matilda complained that
they didn't seem to relish their vic
tlals" and she guessed she'd better
be Coin."
ooh, no. Prue cried. NO one could
suit us better than you do"
''Im glad of that, ma'am, but there's
another reason" And she hung her
head.
Prue was painfully embarrassed, for
she could guess the other reason. Il
hope you will stay" she stammered.
"Pll think it over till tomorrow
ma'am, but feel as if Hannah hadn't
been fair with me. leadin' me to expect
things was different between you and
him from what they really be-"
Tom came home later than usual
that night Prue was in the hall Civ
ing some instructions to Matilda when
he opened the door. His eyes looked
tired and sad. she thought. She hest
tated a mOment-only a mOment-for
Matilda was present, and now was her
opportunity to redeem herself in the
girls eyes, when she ran to meet her
husband and held up her face to be
kissed The tired look faded from his
eyes as If by magic, and he put both
arms around her and held her close.
Has my little wife come to her
Senses?" he asked.
Hush" she answered Il still think
it's unnecessary. but Matilda likes It,
She refuses to stay unless we are nf-
fcctionate like" And she laughs
Historically.
oh" Tom said. That was all, but
there was world Of disappointment
in the exclamation, Then he looked
beyond his wife AT Matilda, WHO stood
beamiuG at him, her hands clasped in
ecstasy. We'll, she'll stay now" he
said bitterly. Il congratulate you"
Yes. Matilda had decided to remain.
She came to the sitting room dOot
after dinner to announce her decision.
After she had gone. .rrue left her
seal and moved rcStlnssty about the
room. Then she sishedoso deeply that
Tom looked up from his paper Head
ache?" he asked. -r...
"N-uo." she said. Her lips trembled.
and she buried her face in her hands
and sohbed out. Its just heartache,
Tom" ... o..
"Heartache?" he said gently. IL
thought l had a monopoly Of that"
Prue came close to his chair and
leaned against an arm Of it, Tom
she cried remorsefully-"T dear,
will you forgive me and'-her voice
sank to a Whisper-"kiss meg
He caught her hands in his and
drew her down beside him, ITO please
Matilda?' he asked
ooh Tom, you know betterw
Because if it's to please that girl
I'll be hanged If T. But something
further speech just then.
, When the Dawsous celebrated their
tin wedding f. was with the assistance
OF their honeymoon cook.
I'd -rl thn..ANnna Oil