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

came Tor MIN 10 return. but his key
did not rattle IN the lock Of tIia front
door. He had gone to his club and
was sitting with the evening paper be-
fore him, trying to persuade himself
that he was reading 1t, but really in
mental turmoil. The question of
the domestic supremacy had come up
for settlement, and II must be settled
his way.
He ordered his dinner at the club
and when 1t was served went into the
he ate n few mouthfuls; he couldn't
eat any more His wife would know
where 10 find him, and II she wanted
him very badly she would telephone
for him. Then he would insist on an
apology and n promise never TO do so
any more. After that he would 60
home and forgive her. II might he
good lesson for her II she would be
very i'll In consequence of her stupid.
obstinate defiance of his order not to
invite pneumonia. At one moment he
almost wished this would happen: Mt
the next he was In terror lest IL should.
Dinner over, he sauntercd out into
the cafe. lit cigar and--suffered
Several men he knew were there. hut
when he saw one OF them advancing
to speak to him. pretending not 10 see
him. Sam turned and walked the
other way He hoped every minute to
be called to the telephone. Whenever
rA tte lao. To- oil
at the man anxionsly. and when the
waiter passed him without the sum
mons he desired he crushed back
moan.
But he wouldn't yield.
by . o'clock he was In despair. He
concluded that IL he didn't get mes
sage from Thco before 10 he would go
home and upstairs to room by him.
self without paying any attention to
his wife. Meanwhile his actions had
made II apparent TO every waiter in
the club that he was eager for n tele.
phone message. At 9:55 he went into
the coat room for his hat and coat.
and when he emerged waiter ran
into him. shouting:
You're wanted at the telephone,
sir"
Martlndale ran TO the booth. knock
ing down another waiter who was
hunting him to tell him he was wanted
there, brushing by three more who
were making dives for him from diff
ferent directions to give him the same
Vnu l.. a
receiver and heard In n faint, husky
woman's voice:
"Is that you. dear?"
Yes"
II thought you must he at the club.
Just called you up to say-I'm talk
Ing from the phone next the bed-that
the doctor has been here to see me
and said had high fever That was
about g o'clock Since there was no
one here to take care of me but the
cook he telephoned for trained
nurse. | knew you must be having n
nice time at your club with all your
old friends. and didn't like to spoil
your fun. But nurse says that I'd bet
ter try 10 get some sleep now. and
preferred to tell you about II before
doing so. Don't hurry home: have a
good time"
81 told He was about to give her
the usual II told you So" but checked
himself saying instead that he would
be at home MS soon as he could get
there.
'Yon were very unreasonable this
morning" the voice continued, "but ]
have forgiven you. and you needn't
trouble yourself about that at NIL But
don't make noise when you come in
don't believe shall get any sleep.
but
There was click. followed By
ring. and n different woman's voice
said:
"Mr. Martindale:"
yes"
I'm speaking TO you from the lower
hall telephone. Your wife is very IN:
threatened with pneumonia: tempera
turc i0i degrees
"i'll he there In five minutes Why
the devil didn't you
He dropped the receiver and bottled
for the street door
Mrs. Martindalc fortunately escaped
4 long illness. but she was for several
days In condition not warranting her
husband bringing up any other subject
than toast. tea. temperature and time
to take medicine During the danger
period he was in an agony OF fear lest
he should lose the woman who would
surely dominate him through life. for
this first episode bearing on the bal.
ance Of power in his family had open
ed his eyes. II was too late 10 go back
and choose some other woman who
would permit him TO assume his posi-
ton as head of the family. and he
wouldn't have done so II he could He
quietly made up his mind. ms many
another man has done before him, that
IN the case If woman certain laws
that regulate the universe are suspend
ed. His wife had disobeyed an order