The Stanford interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1911-1912, 1911-11-24
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AZ k1ftcraft was hurrying across the
bridge to catch the sos train for
home he saw briggs just ahead Of
him with . black band on TIE sleeve
Of his light overcast
Though the two men had only a
bowling acquaintance. Flitcraft knew
that Grfggs' wife had died recently.
and q sudden realization came over
him Of what II must mean TO q man to
De deprived Of long accustomed do
nestle companionship. II was q
thing. he reflected. which might hap
pen at any time 10 any married man.
ne wondered vaguely. as the light
ovsrcoat with the black band disAp-
peared In the crowd. whether Griggs
had been good to his wife. Then he
affirmed to himself virtuousiy that .
man ought to be habitually good TO his
wife. and then II anything should hap
pen. there would be nothing to regret
Just at this moment he happened to
see an elderly man buying some now-
ers at the stand on the corner and
1t once his vaporous general resolve
became solidified into concrete form.
F1itcraft decided that he would take
some roses home to his wife. He
hadn't done such a thing during the
eleven years since his marriage. but
that was no reason. he assured him
self. why he shouldn't do It now.
80. with some embarrassment. he Sc
lected bunch Of American beauties.
He was rather self-conscious when
he found that no one manifested any
curiosity ~ to the contents Of his
tissue paper package.
why. Harley FIitcraft!- sxclaim-
ed his wife as she tore on the wrap
pinEs. "Where'd you get such beautt
full roses?"
Bought EN-. Of course" responded
F1itcraft, jocularly. Can't ! buy you
some flowers once in a while! No 9TH
er man is buying flowers for you Just
ut present, is there!"
His wife blushed at the very
thought Of such a thing Very steady
In the domestic harness we're both the
Flitcrafts.
Don't be ridiculous. Harley" she
admonished him. as she hurried to all
a vase with water.
II was evident that Mrs. Flitcraft
was delighted. A close observer
might have detected that she was also
puzzled. But F1itcraft was not In the
habit Of observing his wife closely.
being convinced that he had found out
all there was TO know about her during
the frs. year OF their married life.
So. elated by his success, he rushed
on to his undoing
His voluble praise OF the peach
shortcake at dinner. besides being I'M
usual. appeared to his wife a work
of supererogation, since he had eaten
two large pieces with great relish.
A little later. to complete his wife's
mystiflcation. F1itcraft laid down the
evening paper and proposed that they
go to a concert.
Mrs. Flitcraft was well aware that
her husband didn't know Beethoven
from Tschaikowsky and was utterly
Indifferent to both.
why. Harley" she protested. its
going to be all classified music. and
I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy IT,"
There's nothing would enjoy
more!" prevaricated F1itcraft
His wife cast a penetrating glance
toward the American beauties, as
though to read there the secret OF her
lords sudden transformation. Then
she said, gently: Harley. you don't
feel well. do your
Never felt better in my life." re-
sponded Harley. promptly.
His wife disregarded these words.
1T must be-" she insisted. because
you didn't put on your heavy under
wear the first Of the month"
why. l tell you that ! feel perfect
ly WELL" reiterated Flitcraft. II don't
need heavy underwear in such wealth
er as this"
Then I'm afraid you haven't been
careful enough about your diet" she
said You know. the doctor said
that you"
Haven't ! told you three times"
roared Flitcraft. that ! never felt
better"
"Oh. Harley. don't say that" plead
ed his wife. with tears In her eyes.
"Of course. l don't want you to be Ill.
and yet I'd rather 1t was that. There's
only one other way TO explain your
queer actions. It's remorse!"
"Remorse? For whatY" demanded
Flitcraft
For having fallen in love with some
other woman! You're trying to atone
to me for IL! And you're always been
such a good husband until nowl"
Obvious Explanation.