St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-08-14
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As F1itcraft was hurrying across the
bridge to catch the sos train for
home he saw Griggs just ahead of
him with black band on the sleeve
of his light overcoat.
Though the two men had only q
bowling acquaintance, F1itcraft knew
that Griggs' wife had died recently,
and a sudden realization came over
him of what it must mean to a man to
be deprived of long accustomed do
nestle companionship. 1t was a
thing, he reflected, which might hap
pen at any time to any married man.
He wondered vaguely, as the light
overcoat with the black band disap-
peared in the crowd, whether Griggs
had been good to his wife. Then he
affirmed to himself virtuously that a
man ought to be habitually good to his
wife, and then If anything should hap,
pen, there would be nothing to regret.
Just at this moment he happened to
see an elderly man buying some flow
ers at the stand on the corner and
at once his vaporous general resolve
became solidified into concrete form
Flitcraft decided that he would take
some roses home to his wife. He
hadn't done such a thing during the
eleven years since his marriage, but
that was no reason, he assured him
self, why he shouldn't do it now.
So, with some embarrassment, he Sc
lected a bunch of American beauties.
He was rather self-conscious when
he found that no one manifested any
curiosity as to the contents of his
tissue paper package.
why, Harley FTitcraftI" exclaim-
ed his wife as she tore off the wrap
pings. "Where'd you get such beauti-
full roses?"
Bought 'em, Of course" responded
FTitcraft, jocularly. Cant / buy you
some flowers once in a while? No 9th
er man is buying flowers for you Just
at present, is there?"
His wife blushed at the very
thought of such thing. Very steady
in the domestic harness were both the
Flitcrafts.
Don't be ridiculous, Harley" she
admonished him, as she hurried to fill
a vase with water.
1t was evident that Mrs. Flitcraft
was delighted. A close observer
might have detected that she was also
puzzled. But Flitcraft was not in the
habit of observing his wife closely,
being convinced that he had found out
all there was to know about her during
the first year of their married Hfe
So, elated by his success, he rushed
on to his undoing.
His voluble praise Of the peach
shortcake at dinner, besides being un
usual, appeared to his wife a WORK
of supererogation, since he had eater
two large pieces with great relish.
A little later, to complete his wife's
mystification, F1itcraft laid down the
evening paper and proposed that they
go to a concert.
Mrs. FIitcraft was well aware that
her husband didn't know Beethoven
from Tschaikowsky and was utterly
Indifferent to both.
why, Harley" she protested, ITS
going to be all classified music, and
I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy it."
There's nothing I would enjoy
more!" prevaricated F7itcraft
His wife cast penetrating glance
toward the American beauties, as
though to read there the secret of her
lords sudden transformation. Then
she said, gently: Harley. you don't
feel well, do your"
Never felt better IN my life," re
spoRded Harley, promptly.
His wife disregarded these words.
ut must be-" she insisted, because
you didn't put OF your heavy under
wear the first of the month"
why, tell you that / feel perfect,
ly WELL" reiterated F7itcraft. II don't
need heavy underwear In such wealth
er as this"
"Then I'm afraid you haven't been
careful enough about your diet" she
said. you know, the doctor said
that you"
Haven't told you three times"
roared F1itcraft. "that never felt
better"
ooh, Harley, don't say that" plead
ed his wife, with tears in her eyes
"Of course, don't want you to be I'll,
and yet I'd rather it was tnat. Thefe's
only one other way to explain your
queer actions. It's remorse!"
"Remorse? For what7" demanded
Flitcraft.
For having fallen in love with some
other woman! You're trying to atone
to me for It'll And you're always been
such a good husband until nowl"
All Fixed.
~T think I'll propose at the party 70