Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-12-02
QUESTION Of TASTE
by wIslFREp GREY.

scheming TO furnish the little home
piece by piece. as they could afford
Il.
The one thing most needed now was
a hearth-rug. A few days ago she had
seen just the thing while helping her
sister-in-law to choose q rug. She had
said nothing about II to John.
A step on the porch broke in upon
her thoughts.
"A rug for Mrs. Preston. Shall
leave II here?-
Yes. thank you," Mary replied.
dazedly.
How dear Of John" she thought.
even though slight feeling OF disap-
pointment swept over her as she TO
membered the rug she had set her
heart on.
Dragging It into the living-room she
cut the string and unrolled the enveI-
oping paper. At first glimpse she
caught her breath. 1t was too dread
full to be truel On the floor of the
room that stood for good taste and re-
fnement to both John and herself lay
one Of the atrocities that her very soul
abhorred.
On ford field with a background
Of yellow rocks. an impossible deer
with branching antlers. head in the air
and legs outstretched, was depicted
jumping from one crag to another.
II was Incredible that John should
choose such thing; and equally un-
believable that she should think her
capable of approaching It.
Then a saving sense OF humor forced
a laugh. Dear old john" she said.
he has indeed given me q surprise"
How It asserted itself in the quiet
room! He could not fail to see how In
congruous 1t was, she thought, even
as she resolved that he should never
know how she felt about 1t. He had
been so good; surely she could for
once sacrifice her feelings for his
sake. For once! It would be every
day that she must see that deer leap
ing through space.
Pulling the despised rug into posi-
ton before the fireplace, she walked
to the doorway from which her hus-
band would catch the first glimpse OF
IT, She would know as soon as she
saw his face, how he helt about It..
He was coming now; and before he
stepped over the sill. her arms were
around his neck.
"Oh. john" she cried. 1T was such
a surprise"
HAS 1t GOMEZ" he asked. wait til
take OF my coat, and we'll have 9
look at It."
II seemed to Mary that he wa
much longer than usual getting out o
his coat
How does II match up with thu
room?" he asked; but Mary was too
busy Strengthening the rug to hear.
Gorgeous. isn't it," he said. "Yor
like it, dear?"
"It's-it's wonderful" she replied
trying to keep her voice from shak
ing; for he had failed her. He really
liked II. The little home they had
made together seemed falling about
her ears.
I'm glad II you like 1t, darling,
John said; but his voice sounded dull
and tired. She feared he had noticed
her lack of enthusiasm. and FASTENED
to tell him again what a surprise II
was.
You're sure it's what you wanted"
he persisted.
Its dear" she replied. and they
laughed over the poor little joke.
Each passing day made It harder for
Mary to see the hated rug on the floor.
1t had not only spoiled the room for
her, but had shaken her confidence
In her husbands taste.
There were times when she felt that
she must open her heart to him; that
her silence came between them.
One day she met him at the door,
with an open letter in her hand.
"John!" she cried. Aunt Beth wants
to spend the week with us!"
"Just the thing! You have not been
yourself OF late. and seeing her will"
NO." she interrupted. you must
wire her not to come. I can't have
her"
mot have her! Why?"
she is so critical" stammered
mary.
mot critical, dear; she has the best
OF taste OF anyone know-whats the
matter. Mary? Isn't the house all
right?"
"Oh, John. it's perfect: but I can't
have her. l can't!"
Bursting into tears she threw her
self into his arms.
Nov. darling. what IL 1T" he
coaxed.
"It's-it's," she sobbed. "Oh. I'm
horrid, but it's-the rug"
The rug?" echoed John. more at
sea than ever. Have you changed
your mind about IT. Don't you like
It after allf"
II never liked II; I loathed 1T from
the first; deceived you"