Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-25
ABOUT TWO PUNCHES OF ROSES

1 Tt was a perfect day. said Mrs.
 Morgan to herself, one bright June morning, and I'm just going to en- joy every minute of it. l think that l have earned day off the mousse cleaning is all done, there isn't 'spfck and spanner' house in town, II l do say it. as maybe l shouldn't. My
 summer sewing is well on the way. so l am just going to enjoy life today, and Mrs Morgan turned to the break fast table with smile of anticipation If only she had not looked so ao- ! solutely compIacent and serene when her husband came into the room a minute or two later in frame or { mind as far removed from hers as possiblei
 Everything had seemed to go wrong with him all the morning. This was the last straw. and proved his un- doing.
 T do wish. Margaret" he said sharply, that you would pay Af- tie heed to my wishes and Ter my papers alone"
 ed Mrs. Morgan quietly, though the 1 quick color in her face showed that she resented her husbands remark
 Matter enough was the reply Tn
 an even more irritated tone T lert a very important paper on my desk
 last night, and it is gone now. I have
 been looking all the morning Tor IL
 and cannot find it. l suppose you
 thought il was rubbish and destroyed
 it. Possibly if we are out several
 thousand dollars by the loss or IL you
 may be willing to obiige me by let
 ting my things alone in the future.
 T have not touched anything on
 your desk, do not know when, Rob
 ert Are you sure that you left IL
 there%' asked Mrs. Morgan, still
 keeping her self control
 Perfectly sure. l am not in the
 habit of making mistakes, and l re-
 member distinctly putting the paper
 there the first thing when 1 came ln
 last night. so l would not forget to
 take it to the office this morning. It
 is not there now, and l do not See
 who could have taken it but you, for
 l certainly did not. suppose you
 consider 1t great virtue to be so
 immediately neat and particular;
 but it would please me better if you
 paid more heed to my wishes"
 If only Mrs. Morgan had known
 how eXcruciating her husbands head
 was aching, how troubled he was
 about business matters and how very
 important the missing paper was! But
 alasi Not even the tendereSt heart
 and next our own knows half the req
 sons why We smile on sight" And not knowing, she was cut to the quick by her husbands words. T have told you that I have not set eyes on your old paper, much less l habit of making mistakes than you are. You will doubtless find that aper-exactly where you put it your self. l am very sorry that l have not given satisfaction as housekeeper, but I am going to mothers today on -JSif hox fn your own liking.
 The words were hardly out Of her mouth before she was halfway up- stairs, and it would be hard to say i which was the most surprised-she ] or her husband. How had they come 1 to say such things to one another! 1t is such a lovely morning-and l ! was so happy! He was as unjust as he could be; even if I did lose my temper 1 will not give in first. I do
 like my home to look nice, and he would be the first to find fault if it l did not, but l never destroyed any of his papers; he knows I never did, and he ought not to have spoken to me so," sobbed Mrs. Morgan alone in her chamber.
 like that" calculated MT. Morgan, looking dismayed. She ought to have known that I was worried to death over my business. If this paper does not show up before night l shall lose S5000 at least. and can't afford to lose a cent event.
 It did not occur to him that his wife could not very well know these things, as he had never told her anything 1 about business matters.
 Tt is mans place to keep such
 worries to himself he was wont to say. And then. with a mans incon- sisteney, he secretly blamed her for 1 not being more sympathetic. He stood hesitating in the hall for a moment or two. Conscience told him i he ought to follow his wife and make his peace. q don't mind other peo- pie having to apologize-but I can't abide doing it myself" he muttered There are some letters I must get off in the morning mail. I will see to those, then I'll come home and give