The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-27
The Eoeni,le Story

(By olive Roberts Barton.)

Paxaeola.
(By Olive Roberts Barton.)
Mr.. J. BellmAn Mott, according to
his wife. but better known to his
friends as Jake. eyed his soup with
disfavor. The teasing aroma. . char
acteristic OF everything that Susette.
Mrs. Motifs French cook, turned out
of the kitchen. was decidedly present
Yet he made no effort to eat.
What Is the matter. Bellman :?
Aren't you hungry"
Yes, I am! I'm starved to death.
But / don't want two spoonfuls OF
this stun, q half forkfu1 Of fish with
the 1ubdub that goes along. 4 pretty
little meat course with just enough
of everything to make me ravenous,
then some grass and north pole des-
sert to finish ND with
Mrs. Mott shuddered. His refer
ence to the dainty ices and salads
which were the pride of Susette's
heart. and hers, checked any attempt
at sympathy.
I'm very sorry you don't like the
meals. Bellman. I think Susette per-
feet. Her cooking suits me exactly.
have spoken to her about serving
you a more generous portion Of every
thing. but she knows what is correct
and can't help it when your plate
isn't piled up with things"
well, Can't Numbered Mr.. Mott,
whose temper was showing the strain
OF appetite. IF I can't get q good
square meal at home. I'm going where
I can. I've stood for this starvation
business long enough. It's been SO
long since I've tasted beef and cab
bage. pork and sauerkraut, sausage
and hash, don't know COW from a
pig when 1 see one.''
Mrs Mott ri,
white and shaking. PLEASE remem-
Der that the maids can hear
every
II don't care a darn what they
hear. I'm sick Of caviar and truffles,
and kumquats. Eat 'em If you like,
but for heavens sake give me some
thing old-fashioned and solid. You
forget, Elizabeth" cooling slightly,
that. L was raised in the country to
begin with. and now that am a con-
tractor with big. hard work to do
must be fed. just can't stand it. you
know"
well. what do you intend to do?"
frigidly. You have spoiled my din
ner. Do you care to go on with your
own or do as you suggested and eat
elsewhere ?"
Mr.. Mott looked longinsly at the
table. then entreatingly at his wife.
Like most of his tempests 1t was short
lived. Had his wife put it just little
differently, he would have been over
joyed to stay and eat Susette's din
ner, scant and unfilling as it might
be. For Mr.. Mott loved his home and
adored his fine high spirited wife.
He had really never ceased to won
der why she had married a big rough
fellow like himself. It surely was not
his money for she had enough of her
own. And they had few tastes in
common. too. When Mrs. Mott was
roo
James. Mr.. Mott was trailing the viii
lain in some detective story.
f Grand opera bored him to death
while his wife objected to musical
comedy. When he surprised her with
gifts Of immense diamonds. she laid
pearls, which indeed became her bet
ter.
= But now his wife did not urge him
to stay. He had made a threat and
she evidently expected him to keep it.
So he retired as gracefully as he could.
short, "Good-by.''
At IL o'clock Mr.. Mott returned. He
had stayed away because he was
ashamed of himself. not because he
was sulking. AS q peace Offering he
carried with him q big box Of candied
fruit, which he politely detested, but
OF which his wife was extremely fond.
He was surprised to find the house
dark. A low light burned in the hall,
but the rooms on the first and second
floors were black. The place seemed
to be deserted. = Not q servant an
on the lights in the = library. Be-
wildered, he laid his box of candy on
the reading table. and his hand en-
countered a note:
my dear BeMman, am sure we
will bob be happier apart II 4
tn tau hi >fv@rp
new differences just as they have been
doing lately. I am sure you are not
happy and I know am getting very
nervous from the strain. have ing
way Of doing things. and am afraid
cannot learn new ones now.
II have discharged all the servants
but Susette. whom am taking along.
The city is full of good cooks and I
hope you will find one to suit your
taste. Regretfulfy yonrs, Elizabeth"
Mr.. Mott wiped his perspiring brow
and stared into space He reread the
note twice. and finally understood
that his wife had gone for good.
He dropped heavily into a chair
and stared at the paper as though it
were his death warrant. The worst
OF It was that he deserved 1t all He
had driven her away by his boorish-
ness-the fine little woman whom he
had vowed to love and cherish al
ways! = She was SO far above him!
And he had meant to learn her tastes
and improve himself and thus be
worthy OF her. But he had become
worse instead OF better! His rough
ness. instead of being buffed smooth
by her refinement had irritated and
hurt her until she had been forced to
leave him!
Days passed and Mr.. Mott got along
the best he could keeping widower's
hall Old Maggie O'Brien had come
back to cook his. favoritee dishes, but
somehow they had lost their flavor.
The first week or so he even tried to
forget his sorrow In. obd-fashioned
solid comforts, such as shedding his
coat at meal times. But he found