The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-12-23
By F. A. mitchell.

The brides glass stood midway De-
tween her and the man. He took it
up and slipped the wine in it. The love
light shone in the eyes Of both. He
gently moved his own glass toward
her, and she, too, slipped, with a repeti'
ton of the love glances.
Every interesting grunted Mr.. Al
drich, resuming his paper.
The waiter brought the dinner. Mr.
Aldrich was in the midst Of the finan
cial article, and his wife, not caring tc
wait for him to finish it, helped him
to the viands, then helped herself
They ate the first course in silence, and
while waiting for the second Mr.. Al.
drich resumed his paper.
"Tom," said Mrs. Aldrich. 49,
"What?"
Look"
He followed her eyes in the direction
Of the supposed bride and groom.
"Well?"
Don't you see:'
mo. don't"
"They are holding hands under the
table-on the other side-next to the
window"
Touching" said Mr.. Aldrich and re-
sumed his paper. A page Of ADVERTISE
ments of women's wear was exposed
to his wife. She bent forward. and
scanned it.
When the next course came on Mr..
Aldrich had finished the commercial
reports and helped the viands. The
only remark made during this course
by the husband was, 1.-The market
closed strong;;' the only one by the
wife was, lis my hat straight"
Between the third and fourth courses
Mr.: Aldrich looked at his watch, toyed
with his wineglass and made one re-
mark: II shall sell Mop tomorrow.
Good sale, I'm sure The wife re-
piled, Il bought one yesterday"
Meanwhile the wife's attention was
divided between the ladies' hats-she
was thinking of buying one-and the
bride and groom.
'Tom," she said presently, 'look."
Again he turned his eyes, posing a
mushroom on his fork while doing so.
The bride and groom had risen, and
the groom was holding the brides coat
for her. AS she slipped it on her he
folded it about her in a manner to de-
note excessive tenderness. She looked
up into his eyes dove-like.
"Why don't you ever show me such
attention." asked Mrs. Aldrich.
Because I don't wish to attract the
attention Of restaurant full Of peo-
ple." ..
But Mrs. Aldrich did not hear. She
had caught sight of hat that pleased
her.
"Just the thing to go with my tailor
made suit. l wonder where she got it.
But at that moment the bride and
groom sailed past her. the bride look
ing as if she were facing battery of
all the eyes in the restaurant as In
deed she was. and the groom looking
defiant.
Il WONDER" remarked Mrs. Aldrich.
"why brides and grooms are so con-
scious Of being observed and yet so
bent on giving themselves away. espe-
cially in public places"
Because they can't help it," replied
her husband.
When the repast was finished and
the bill was called for Mrs. Aldrich
said:
do you remember that first dinner
we had together after our wedding at
the Summerset?" y
1.-THE summerset?" trying to remem-
Der.
Yes. You said to me. Anything
more, sweetheart? and when l replied
Nothing you said. Don't you think
you would like an ice?' and when l
said NO again you said, "A little cor
dial to top OF with? And when de-
clined that you kept on asking me il
I would have this and have that"
"How I must have bored your *
As he made the last remark the wait
er laid the bill before him. He did
not dispute it, but looked as if he
would like to. though the charge was
moderate.
DO you remember, dear" asked his
wife, "how at the Summerset, know
ing that we, were a bride and groom,
they stuck You for $1955 when the
cost wasn't more than $7.25?'
For heavens sake, Edith, how have
you managed to keep those figures in
your head 30 many years?"
Mrs. Aldrich made no audible reply.
but she made one inwardly. It was
this:
How Il Il that men 10 soon forget
that which should be nearest to their
Asartsr