Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1911-05-25
DOMESTIC
DIPLOMACY

uoIIly meal Sne nau prepared lot MIN.
He kept up a stream of conversation
| and was busy with detailed descrip-
ton of how he had secured an order
for his house in spite of the best eff
forts Of a rival concern TO land 1t,
when 1t suddenly dawned upon him
that he was not getting the attention
I that his story merited Then 1t crept
into his mind that all his remarks had
been answered in monosylIables.
Are you sick. dear?" he asked his
wife
No" The answer was brief enough.
Worried about Johnnie again."
NO"
Joyce began to think in earnest In
all the ten years of their married life
he had never known his wife to be so
economical of words unless she had
reached the stage where she was too
angry to talk.
Did things go wrong today, little
woman" he asked in his tenderest
one
Nothing went wrong today, thank
you" freezingly.
Joyce knew now that the partner OF
his sorrows was really angry. Freezing
politeness was a sure sign of anger
with his wife.
Are you having trouble with the
girl?"
The girl is jewel. Mr. Joyce"
Then, If nothing is wrong, for the
love OF Mike, grin and show your
teeth"
Joyce was getting nettled.
Il might grin and show my teeth till
doomsday and you would not notice
them"
So" thought Joyce, that's it, is
it,"
Now he had the key to the situation!
Mrs. Joyce had bought a new gown,
or some other fixing, and he had not
noticed it. Joyce's observation-disclosures
was only equaled by his lack of obser-
walton. He had been badgered by his
friends so much about his failings
that he tried to keep all knowledge OF
them from his wife
so you thought didn't notice it.
did you, little girl?" he said, with an
air Of raillery. We'll. when you catch
Louie T. Joyce overlooking any bet
like that, just put it down in your diary
that he's asleep"
But you never mentioned It." Mrs.
Joyce, though visibly Modified, was
still little vexed.
"0F annrqa ,~rD4{~.,
Would you have me come in and shout
about it like a schoolboy?"
Moo, but you might have said
something about it. You might have
let me know whether you liked 1t or
not"
All this time Joyce had been look
ing his wife over to see if he could
discover the new thing she had on, but
her attire looked as usual to him.
He came out of his abstraction to
hear his wife say: DO you think it
suits my complexion"
All! Now he had It! 1t was her
dress!
That dress is just too corking for
anything, dear. You know I always
liked you in yellow; 1t sets off your
brown eyes so well, and"
Always is a good word" his wife
cut in, seeing that I have worn this
dress for two years. But what has
that got to do with itr'
I'm bad again." thought Joyce, men
tally kicking himself.
We'll, 1t has really nothing to do
with 1t, l suppose" he said, but I'd
like to know since when a fellow has
been barred from complimenting his
wife If she looks particularly sweet
just because she isn't wearing a new
gown"
The indignation In Joyce's voice was
as strong as II he meant it.
"Oh, of course, dear" said his wife.
Il did not mean to offend you, but I
was wondering If you'd like it with my
light hair"
Joyce grabbed at the hint like the
proverbial drowning man at straw.
What an idiot he was not to have no.
ticed that ribbon thing and buckle ar.
rangement on her hair!
Your hair, my dear, looks lovely, as
have often remarked, whether 1t Is
adorned or worn plain, but think you
ought to have another one for the-er
other side"
Joyce patted himself on the back for
that clever speech.
Louie Joyce!" His wife was sur
prised. He could see that. What In
the world could do with another one.
and how In the name of common
sense could adorn my hair with it?"
Plainly Joyce was out of his depth.
''Of course, you dear little goose"
he said, Il don't mean for you to wear
it on your head. but want you to
have another One-or anything else
you want. So I'm going to write you
out check and you can go downtown
tomorrow and spend the money"
But, dear" Mrs. Joyce began.
Not another word about It.. am
running this show. IF want my
wife to spend little money | guess
she can do 1t )"