Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-05-13

The Head Of
the House
A Story For Young Men About
to Be Married.
BY EDWARD B. KNIGHT
Copyright BY American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

been more billing and cooling and kiss.
Ing in that one week than there would
be In five years of the married life he.
fore them. Then Sam called halt to
look practically ut the future. lie was
not man to drift through life: he pre-.
ferred to prearrange everything II
seemed that there was n great ocean
ahead of him and Theo, of comfort or
suffering. of anxiety or discord, Of con.
tcntmcnt or unhappincss. and across
this ocean 1t became him as the head
Of the house, the pilot. TO steer their
Dark. Before taking n voyage does moi
the mariner famillarize himself with
the areas of probable storm and sun
shine, Of navigable water and sunken
rocks? Why should not he MS COM
mander lay down on chart the exact
course the family ship should sail!
To begin AT the bottom. was he TO he
the commander? The very fact OF his
| asking himself the question shows the
depth of his understanding. IL a gen.
| eral is 10 conduct n campaign II Is
necessary that his word be the law
for his army. Martindale realized at
once that II he were to pilot the family
bark lie must have no interference
Having thus settled the matter by
| elaboration. Marilndale concluded to
breach the subject to his fiancee. mere.
~ as preliminary reconnaissance in
order to feel the enemy
"Theo." he said gravely, "since you
and are to pass our lives together
It may be we'll for us to come to an
understanding on one important point.
In every government, every business,
every family. In order that the wheels
may run smoothly, there must be one
head. | would like to know how you
feel about the matter"
"It seems to me-" said Thco after
thought, "that we should both be
head"
Martindale was not prepared for
what he considered flying right in the
face OF the fundamental principles OF
order. What was the family but
miniature state? And the idea of a
state having two governors, Absurd!
Theo saw by the expression of his
face that she had assumed too much.
So she FASTENED 10 say: "Why. dearie.
don't you know tina. woman just
loves to lean ON n man for guidance?
You're to be head, of course
This was great relief to Sam. He
took his flancee in his arms, kissed her
aud said:
sweetheart. you have no idea how
happy you've made me by saying that.
Our future happiness depends upon II.
There must always he head TO n
family. And how hard II would be for
both of us IL You had disposition to
usurp the husbands place"
II would never think of such n
thing"
He gave her n dozen kisses and left
her. flied with JOY that the basic prin.
ciple OF married life-in his case-had
been settled without word of dis
pute. Indeed. II eliminated all the rest
of the problem. for since he was TO he
undisputed captain he had no doubt
that he could guide the family bark
safely.
The couple We're married. There was
In big wedding lifts galore. rice throw.
ing. a trip and at last settling down
In home OF their own. During the
engagement Theo had never expressed
an opinion. much less made n decision.
that would have interfcred with Sans
position rs heir apparent to the soy
creignty OF tho family.
Thco had long been connected with
charitable association Of which she
was the secretary. One morning
fortnight after the couples return
from their wedding trip she woke M
with an aching OF the bones. in
feverlsh condition and in other ways
indicating that care must he taken 10
avoid n severe Illness. perhaps death.
Rut there was TO he meeting that
day Of the charitable society. and the
secretary was expected 10 he there.
Sam was astonshed to see his wife
preparing to 70 out In storm. already
III and with the probability Of coming
back to face pneumonia.
What do you mean by even think.
ing of going out:" he exclaimed.
"why. dearie. they can't get on with
out me-"
"They will get on without you.
forbid your going"
"Oh. couldn't possibly stay at
home. I'll wrap up well. wear my
rubbers and keep dry. There's not
bit of danger"
Martindale sat with his morning pa
per on his lap. looking fixedly Mt his
wife, while she continued to put on
her belongings with as much sang
froid as II she had not heard the com
mnnd OF her lord and master. When
she was ready she took up an UNI
brclla. bent over her husband. kissed
him and went out ~
"Well. by Jove. like that" OK
claimed sam TO himself as soon as the
door was closed behind his wife.
II would he impossible to give an