Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-01-24
HIS DIPLOMATIC WIFE.
BY George KriessI.

did when We concluded to stay in
town this summer and not take the
cottage at the lake as usual?"
you do!" calculated Birdsell, paus-
ing with a flaming match in the air.
81 thought you were completely upset
about it when l said we'd wetter not
CO."
Mercy mel" broke in Mrs. Birdsell,
Hitting her eyebrows prettily and smil-
Ing at him protestingly. IF you don't
know me any better than that after
being married to me ten years,
must say you are unobservant! Don't
you suppose ! think you know best?
What fun would it be for me to have
the cottage, knowing 1t was against
your will and your best Judgment
Hiram, I'm ashamed Of you! Lots Of
people stay in town, and I've no doubt
We can stand the heat as we'll as the
rest OF them. 1t is just matter Of
making up your mind to be uncom-
Portable, and then forgetting IT."
For the matter of that" said Bird
sell, Il remember some days at the
lake when you could have fried eggs
on the front porch and you would have
been scalded if you had plunged into
the lake to swim!"|
"Oh, but the nights were so delight
fully COOL said the wife. People
here were tossing sleepless and gasp
ing, and there we had to sleep under
blankets. But l don't suppose there
will be many such intolerable nights
in Chicago. am sure l can stand
them il | have to. And with all our
friends away l won't have to have
any new clothes to speak of, and
that will, Of course, save you q lot OF
money"
Il haven't asked you to economic, "
Birdsell reminded her. go ahead
and get any clothes you want. az
usual"
What's the use?" inquired his wife
with little sigh. "Therel be nc
one to see them. There won't be any
places to 90 except the summer gar
dens, and / can Just as well wear my
old things"
You know / never care to 80 to tht
summer gardens"
Then, l suppose, we'll just sit al
home on our own little porch and Kill
time" agreed Mr.. Birdsell, resigned
ly. We'll be quite nice old married
and settled down couple, won't we
That will be most delightful. The
Limpetts have taken their cottage
did | tell you about it?"
You don't like the Limpetts, 81
what difference does 1t maker"
Not the slightest" agreed Mrs
Birdsell. That woman certainly il
the most irritating creature! Whel
l told her that we weren't going a.
usual she put on such an elaborate ex
preston of pity and said that then, o
course, it must be true about you
getting so badly squeezed in stock
and that she thought it was so yer,
brave and noble Of us to econ"
well, of all the nerve!' calculate,
Birdsell, laying down his cigar
Didn't you explain that it was be
: cause business was so rushing that
felt | couldn't get away?"
"Of course" said his wife. AN
she just smiled. l hope people won
think we're in financial difTicultie
merely because we're staying at home
l don't care a bit about myself, but
hate to have you misiudged. And yo
were so enthusiastic about the plac
last season that, Of COURSE hope yo
won't break down from overwork an
1 no change before the summer is over.
: "Thunder!" growled Birdsell. "Yo
: needn't worry about me! | don
know why the populace should get u
: on its hind legs and roar because W
choose to do something else tina
: the thing that we've been doing i
past summers"
Neither do l." agreed Mrs. Birt
sell. You know your own bushes!
l and if the Limpett's want to spend tn
report up at the lake that We can't a
ford to come We can just ignore i
1t doesn't make any real differenc
9 if people believe 1t, does ir?"
I We'll, l don't know" said Birdsel
: 81 don't like 1t. Maybe could &c
g over few times"
Nov, Hiram" said his wife vign,
ously, 81 just won't let you Sver thin
of it! I'm not going to be cool sn
q happy over there, and leavs you her
: Shaving in town! l won't hear of it
I'm not bit disappointed, really, an
|, maybe the hot weather won't affeC
+ me so very much"
: Il think" said Birdssll Gscisively
= that I'll write the agent >s=>Arro,
: that we'll take the cottage. / thin
we'd better go. It'll be pieassnter.
e We'll, of course, if you insist on /
d Hiram" said his wife. Il wouldn't g
e against your wishes. / was quit
y cheerful about staying in town, and
never dreamed that we'd really 90.
l. Say" called Birdsell five minute
t. later, after he had been investigator
s package in the hall. what is this
s Mrs. Birdsell gave a little CT!
IS "That?" she said, when cornered. "Ol
that's some curtains and cretonn