The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-05-23
The Head of the House.

nVe years OF the married lie UeloIe
them. Then Sam called halt TO look
practically at the future. He was not a
man to drift through life; he preferred
to prearrange everything.
To begin at the bottom, was he to be
the commander of the house? Martin
dale realized at once that if he were to
pilot the family bark he must have no
interference. Having thus settled the
matter by deliberation, Martindale con-
cluded to breach the subject to his IL
ancee, merely as preliminary recon-
noissance in order to feel the enemy.
"Theo," he said gravely, "since you
and are to pass our lives together, it
may be we'll for US to come to an under
standing on one important point. In
every government, every business, every
family, in order that the wheels may run
smoothly, there must be one head. l
would like to know how you feel about
the matter"
ut seems to me-" said Theo after
some thought, "that we should both be
head "
Martindale was not prepared for what
he considered flying ri ht in the face of
the fundamental principles of order
What was the family but miniature
State? And the idea of State having
two governors! Absurd Theo saw by
the expression of his face that she had
assumed too much. So she FASTENED to
say;
woman just loves to lean on man for
guidance? You're to be head, of
course"
This was a great relief to Sam. He
took his fancee in his arms, kissed her
and said:
Sweetheart, you have no idea how
happy you've made me by saying that.
Our future happiness depends upon It,
There must always be a head to family.
And how hard it would be for both of US
if you had disposition to usurp the hus-
bands place..
Il would never think of such thing"
He gave her dozen kisses and left
her, filed with Joy that the basic prin-
cipe of married life-in his oase-had
been settled without a word of dispute.
The couple were married. There was
a big weddings galore, rice throw
ing, trip, and at last a settling down in
home of their own. During the en-
gagement Theo had never expressed an
opinion, much less made decision, that
would have interfered with Sans posi-
ton as heir apparent to the sovereignty
of the family.
Theo had long been connected with a
charitable association of which she was
the secretary. One morning fortnight
after the couples return from their we'd
ding trip she woke up with an aching of
the bones, in feverish condition and in
other ways indicating that care must be
taken to avoid a severe illness, perhaps
death. But there was to be meeting
that day of the charitable society, and
the secretary was expected to be there.
Sam was astonished to see his wife pre-
pairing to go out iii storm, already i'll and
with probability of coming back to face
pneumonia.
''What do you mean by even thinking
of going out?" he exclaimed
why, dearie, they can't get on with
out me-"
''They will get on without you. l for
bid you going"
"Oh, couldn't possibly stay at home.
III wrap up well, wear my rubbers and
keep cry. There's not bit of danger"
Martlndale sat with his morning paper
on his lap, looking fixedly at his wife,
while she continued to put on her be-
longings with as much sang froid as if
she had not heard the command Of her
lord and master. When she was ready
she took up an umbrella, bent over her
husband, kissed him and went out.
''Well, by Jove. | like thatp' exclaim-
ed Sam to himself as soon as the door
was closed behind his wife.
II would be impossible to give an ade-
quate description of the disappointment,
chagrin, modification and forebodings
the young husband experienced at this
utter disregard of his word of command
as captain of the family ship.
What was to be done? Fight it out to
tlnish, conquer now or never.
When Mrs. Martindale came home
from the meeting her husband was not
there. He had gone to business. Time
came for MIN to return, but his key did
not rattle in the lock of the front door,
He had gone to his club and was sitting
with the evening paper before him, try
ing to persuade himself that he was
reading it, but really in mental turmoil.
The question of the domestic supremacy
had come up for settlement, and it must
be settled-his way.
He ordered his dinner at the club and
when it was served went into the dining
room and ate it alone-that is, he ate
few mouthfuls; he couldn eat any more.
His wife would know where to find him
and if she wanted him very badly she
would telephone for him. Then he would
insist on an apology and promise never
TO 90 so any more. After that he would
go home and forgive her. 1t might be
good lesson for her if she would be very
ill in consequence of her obstinate de-
fiance of his order not to invite pneu-
monia. At one moment he almost wish
ed this would happen; at the next he was
terror lest it should.
Dinner over, he sauntered out into the
cafe, lit a cigar and suffered. Several
men he knew were there, but when he
saw one of them advancing to speak to
him, pretending not to see him, Sam
turned and walked the other way. He
hoped every minute to be called to the
telephone. Whenever a waiter came
toward him he looked at the man anx-
iously, and when the waiter passed him
without the summons he desired he crush
ed back moan. But he wouldn't yield.
o By 9 O'Clock he was in despair. He
concluded that if he didn't get message
from Theo before 10 o'clock he would 90
home and upstairs to room by himself
without paying any attention to his wife.
At 9.55 he went into the coat room for
his hat and coat, and when he emerged a
waiter ran into him, shouting:
your wanted at the phone, sir!''
Martindale ran to the booth, took up
the receiver and heard in faint, husky