The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-03-17
AN OUNCE or
PREVENTION
Betty's Idea and the Result
of the Experiment.
BY SUSIE 3. WIGHT.

ellis, handing him a cup of coffee, 81
have something serious to say to you"
"Yes?" Mr.. Ellis tone was notably
absentminded. He was looking at the
Rlluring curve of her soft white arm.
She had the cunningest way of giving
her big sleeves twitch to keep them
out of the way as she passed anything
at table, and this morning the sleeve
was great silken one embroidered
with Japanese iris. However, for her
avn good her husband had not told her
all her attractions for him. Not know
ing his train of thought, she observed
only the preoccupation in his tone.
This confirmed her in the wisdom
her determination, but it also gave her
a queer little disposition to let dowi
the corners Of her mouth.
"Well, it is only this, Tom," she pro
ceeded, her eyes studiously avoiding
his. Preoccupation in his tone was
bad enough; to recognize it in his eyes
would be intolerable. "You see, we
have been staying so closely together
since the wedding, now three whole
months. Aren't you just a little afraid
we are OVERRIDING the devoted? When
see so many married couples who are
just as happy away from each other,
or more so, dread the time Her lip
quivered, but this time Mr.. Ellis was
giving his attention to the smooth
whiteness of her neck. He did not an
swer, and in a moment she went on in
a steadier voice, you remember the
ounce of prevention dear?'
"Worth a pound of medicine, isn't
itP' he replied frivolously, and when
she proceeded gravely her voice had
shaded down to actual wistfulness.
"For fear, Tom, that our happiness
should lose some of its tone in such
constant association as ours l have
been thinking that maybe it would be
better not to see each other quite so
often. couldn't bear to see that you
were growing tired of me-
"Her infinite variety" he began to
quote, but she interrupted him with
lift of the kimono clad arm that set his
thoughts adrift again. 1--WE must con-
slider the subject seriously, dear" she
said softly and plaintively. Suppose
we plan deliberately to keep new to
each other by taking some of our
pleasures away from each other"
Goodness. Betty!" he exclaimed. "I
thought we married in order to enjoy
ourselves together"
1--WE did, but see how people get
after few years! The Thomases,
now, for instance-how different they
are! And yet | am old enough to re
member that they were perfectly self
ish together at first. There are the
Ripleys too. They are congenial and
apparently the best of friends, but
Mrs. Ripley doesn't seem to MIND at
all that her husband spends the greater
part Of his time away from her 1t
Is only that I dread such a phase in
our life"
He looked at her in surprise. Who
would have thought her capable of
such serious consideration of n life
problem, this pretty creature of sun
shine and smiles? Just then a thought
popped into his mind. Suppose she
were already getting tired-just n
little bored with him. 1t would be
like her to contrive some tactful way
of telling him. And then Betty had
been belle; there had been score
of fellows dancing attendance upon
her, even up to the very day of the
wedding. Perhaps she was feeling
dull, and no wonder. with such poor
stick as he as her only companion,
even if she did love him as she pro
fessed. He pondered a few moments.
making great sacrifice, while trivi.
ally engaged in slipping his fragrant
breakfast coffee. When he sroke his
tone was cheerful.
"Well, Betty, darling" he remarked.
that had not occurred to me until you
spoke, but you are right. There is
danger of OVERRIDING the devoted. and
we mustn't get tired of each other-we
Just must not! l have not been to the
club-not since the wedding. | will go
there to dinner this evening. and you
must accept one of your numerous in
vitations. You have Dolly to go with
you, and will send a carriage to be al
your disposal for the evening"
"Yes," acquiesced Betty in a small
NOlSCi hccpiHS ucI eyes upOH ucI Ilult
She had not expected her ideas to be
adopted with so little protest, and It
was not cheering to find herself so
correct in her forethought
He looked at her sharply for n mo
ment, then came over to her side of
the table and kissed her goodby most
affectionately. She longed TO tell him
that 1t would seem like a month for
him to be gone until late that evening
before she should see him again, but
no-if he was already feeling the pull
of the silken chain that bound them to,
gether she must not let him know thai
she was aware of it. She sprang mer
rily up, went with him to the door,
chattering about this and that as
though her every thought was not of
the evening that was going to be so
lonely without him. When he turned
back at the corner for a last look the
wave of her small hand was positively
hilarious.
The day crept by, At first her i'm