Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-04-27
THE
TEMPEST

taken three hours to tell that she had
seen another neighbours husband
walking with a blonde person that
she just knew must be his stenog-
rapher. Also Johnnie had fallen
through the ice, and in her nervous
ness in getting him to bed she had
spilled cup Of tea on her best down
quilt.
Taking everything into account,
she felt that she had had a pretty
bad day, but she bore patiently all
through the dinner Joyce's rapid fire
conversation and his bubbling good
humor. 1t was only when the meal
was over and her husband whistled
the chorus of "Yip-I-Addy" five times
IN five different keys, each one shrill-
or than the one before, that she raised
her hands and said, Louis, please
stop that awful noise"
"Noise?" exclaimed Joyce, surprised
Why, my dear, don't you feel well?"
mo. I don't. but person might
feel we'll and still not care for your
whistling."
What ia it-another Of your beast
~ headaches? 1t must be pretty bad.
I used to be called fine whistler"
Then you must have been raised
In very untruthful community"
Z Now l know your headache must
be awful. You are looking mighty
mean, too"
go ahead and sbuse me as much
as you please. Suppose 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!" If 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? l 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.
"No, 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 off, Esth-
er!" Joyce was getting irritated.
Eyes, yes, that's right. Get slangy
and insulting. I'll try to bear it. :"
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 suppose am the re-
verse"
YES, that's about right" acquiesced
Joyce, trying desperately to get a
smile from her. Everybody says"
$50 you have been discussing me-
have you? Oh, You are cruel! I'm
going back to mamma this very
night" Mrs. Joyce rushed from the
room.
- Joyce followed in leisurely way.
He found her in her room, throwing
her clothing around on the bed and
chairs. ~"
"Rere, let me he'll you" Then
joyce, with twinkle in his eye,
which his wife did not see because
she persistently refused even to
glance at him. began placing her
things carefully, neatly and quickly
in her trunk.
Mrs. Joyce gazed in horror for a
minute at his back as he stopped over
the trunk. Then she turned with ap-
parent Indifference, but with smoth-
cred sob, and walked to the dresser.
There with painstaking carelessness
she powdered her nose with sachet
powder.
Joyce grinned expansively into the
trunk. Then he turned and said
seriously: well, she's packed and
I'll ship her In the morning"
He went over and helped his wife
put on her coat and followed her non
,chalantly down the stairs and to The
door.
He had felt all along that his wife
did not really mean to go, but now,
as she put her hand on the knob, he
became apprehensive. AS she opened
the door and was about to pass out
he felt a quick pain at his heart that
took his breath for minute. For 1t
dawned on him in a flash that he had
been cruel. His wife had been sick
and he had leased and angered her
anstead of sympathizing with her In
an instant he was all contrition. He
!, reached out and took the door knob
from her fingers and. drawing her in
side. closed the door.
Mrs. Joyce looked into his eyes and
what she saw there broke down her
pride and opened the flood gates.
somehow-she never could tell Just
how-she was In his arms, her head
on his shoulder, crying unrestrained-
". while he was soothing and petting
her In his tenderest way.
xxy,..- +ho xyorot of the storm hod