The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-09-24
CHAPTER v.
Husband and Wife,

ETuSOdnO ana WHSs
The ensuing fortnight brought the
expected changes in the household
James Brood, to the surprise Of not
only himself but others, lapsed into a
curious state of adolescence. His in
fatuation was complete. The once
dominant influence of the man seemed
to stink away from him as the passing
days brought up the new problems OF
life. Where he had lived to command
he now was content to serve. His
friends, his son, his servants viewed
the transformation with wonder, not
to say apprehension.
It would not be true to say that the
remarkable personality Of the man
had suffered. He was still the man OF
steel, but retempered. The rigid
broad-sword was made over into the
fine flexible blade of Toledo. He could
be bent but not broken.
1t pleased him to submit to won,
mes commands. Not that they were
arduous or peremptory; on the con.
trary, they we're suggestions in which
his own comfort and pleasure appeared
to be the inspiration. She was toe
wise to demand, too clever to resort to
cajolery. She was Latin. Diplo
macy was hers as birthright. Com,
plants, appeals, sulks would have
gained nothing from James Brood. Nor
would it have occurred to her to en-
ploy these methods. From the day she
entered the house she was its mis-.
tress.
There were no false notions of senti'
ment to restrain or restrict her in the
Encouragement of her household. She
went about the matter calmly, sen.
sibly, firmly; even the most prejudiced
could not but feel the justice of her
decisions. The serene way in which
she both achieved and accepted con
quest proved one thing above all 9th
ers: She was born to rule.
To begin with, she miraculously
transferred the sleeping quarters of
Messrs. Dawes and Riggs from the
second floor front to the third floor
back without arousing the slightest
sign of antagonism On the part Of the
crusty old gentlemen, who had occu,
pied one of the choice rooms In the
house with uninterrupted security for
a matter of nine or ten years. Mrs
Brood explained the situation to them
so graciously, so conVincingly, that
they even assisted the servants In
moving their heterogeneous belong
ings to the small, remote room on the
third floor, and applauded her plan to
make large sitting-room of the cham
Der they were deserving. 1t did not
occur to them for at least three days
that they had been imposed upon
cheated. maltreated, insulted, and then
it was too late. The decorators were
In the big room on the second floor.
They had been betrayed by the wife
Of their bosom friend. Is 1t small cause
for wonder, then, that the poor gentle.
men as manfully turned back to the
tipple and got gloriously, garrulously
drunk in the middle of the afternoon
and also in the middle Of the library
where tea was to have been served to
q few friends asked in to meet the
bride?
The next morning q fresh edict was
issued. 1t came from James Brood and
it was so staggering that the poor gen.
tlemen were loath to believe their ears
AS result Of this new command. they
began to speak of Mrs. Brood In the
privacy of their own room as that
woman" OF course 1t was entirely
due to her mischievous. malevolent in.
fluence that a spineless husband put
forth the order that they were to have
nothing more to drink while they re.
manned in his house. This command
was modified to a slight extent later
on. Brood felt sorry for the victims.
He loved them and he knew that their
pride was injured great deal more
than their appetite. In it's modified
form, the edict allowed them a small
drink in the morning and another al
bedtime, but Jones, the butler, held
the key to the situation and-the side.
board. And after that they looked up
on Mrs. Brood as the common enemy
of all three.
The case Of Mrs. John Desmond was
disposed of in summary but tactful
manner.
IF Mrs. Desmond is willing to re
main, James, as housekeeper instead
of friend, all we'll and good" said Mrs
Brood, discussing the matter In the
seclusion of her boudoir. 81 doubt
however, whether she can descend tc
that. You have spoiled her, my dear
He flushed q trust you do moi
mean to imply that"