The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1911-05-12

be awful. You are looking mighty
mean, too"
go ahead and abuse me as much
as you please l suppose l can stand
it," Mrs. Joyce was beginning to feel
very badly treated.
Joyce looked at his wife in aston
ishment. Then he tried again What
is the matter? Is your mother COM
ing?"
Louie Joyce!" II she had imagined
before that she had cause for an
ger she knew 1t now. II know you
do not care for poor dear mamma but
that is no reason why you should
think l will sit by and let you talk Of
her as you please"
why, for the love of Pete, what
did / say about your mother? | only
asked If she was coming again. You
| know you were all tired out and wor-
ried the last time she sent word she
was coming" Joyce was getting dis
couraged, but he was determined to
make peace If possible.
mo, mamma is not coming. Now,
go ahead and grin. You might at
least have manners enough to con-
ceal your pleasure at the news. You
are Just as cruel as you can be,
| and"
For goodness sake ring on, Esth
err" Joyce was getting irritated.
Eyes. yes, that's right. Get slangy
and insulting I'll try to bear 1t.
Mrs. Joyce was feeling like martyr
You'll try to bear it? What have
you to bear?"
"Oh, nothing. OF course you are
an angel, and l suppose l am the re
verse"
Eyes. that's about right" acquiescet
Joyce, trying desperately to get E
smile from her Everybody says
so you have been discussing me
have you? Oh, you are cruel! Tn
going back to mamma this very
night" Mrs Joyce rushed from the
room.
Joyce followed in a leisurely way
He found her in her room. throwing
her clothing around on the bed anC
chairs.
Here, let me help you" Their
Joyce. with a twinkle in his eye
which his wife did not see because
she persistently refused even t
glance at him. began placing he
things carefully, neatly and quickl,
in her trunk.
Mrs. Joyce gazed in horror for
minute at his back as he stopped owe
the trunk. Then she turned with ap
parent Indifference, but with smoth
cred Sob and walked to the dresser
There with painstaking carelessnes
she powdered her nose with sache
powder.
Joyce grinned expansively into tn
trunk. Then he turned and sal
seriously: well, she's packed an
I'll ship her in the morning.
He went over and helped his wifi
nut on her coat and followed her nor
= cralantly down the stairs and to tn
door.
He had felt all along that his wifi
lid not really mean to go, but now
os she put her hand on the knob, h
became apprehensive. AS she opene
the door and was about to pass on
he felt a quick pain at his heart tina
i took his breath for a minute. For
i, dawned on him in a fash that he ha
been cruel His wife had been sic
and he had leased and angered he
\ instead of sympathizing with her. |
an instant he was all contrition. Fl
reached out and took the door kno
: from her fingers and, drawing her IL
!, side. closed the door.
q Mrs. Joyce looked into his eyes an
what she saw there broke down he
bride and opened the flood gate
somehow-she never could tell Jus
how-she was in his arms, her hea
q m his shoulder, crying unrestrainet
w while he was soothing and pettin
Z her in his tenderest way.
When the worst of the storm ha
= passed, she looked up and said: "Ol
a Louie. you didn't care bit about m
u going. and it hurt sol"
/ why, you little goose" he replied
i. 81 was scared stiff. but | was wearin
e my poker face"
Then Mrs. Joyce buried her nose |