Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-11-16

Is proud or MS nome anu WaHlS W
have il admired; he is proud OF his
wife and proud of his friend and wants
them really to like each other. She rs
pleasant but just a little more digni-
fled than is absolutely necessary;
there is IL slight air of cOnstrnint; talk
does not flow freely. The fountain or
his friends wit throws only unld.
tentative spray occasionally and causes
only the fainteSt splash of a hair
smile. After the coffee things bright
en- UP a little and over the cigars the
two talk over old butt is no; Il real
trio. When goodnight time comes
and ne goes Ia the door and helps his
friend on with his coat, and they stand
on the steps few minutes. look up
at the stars and discuss the weather
prospects. there seems note missing
In the music. Both are conscious
of 1t.
When he hurrlcS back to the dining
room, where they have tarricd because
It seemed more comfortable, to hear
the verdict of the jury of one, he Is
disappointed even though he feared 1t
was prejudiccd. The first remark
Hasn't he large hands" does not
seem really vital but il is significant
He does get credit for dressing well
but as this was To be expected, it does
not count. He laughs too loudly; he
seems Couccitcl; he miSpronnunced
four words; he called her husband by
some f.ppant nickname; he has such
strange views of religion, she Is sure
ne is an atheist; there must be some
thing wrong with his family, he never
mentioned any Of them; she would
wager anything there is cruel streak
in him for she could tell ii by the eX-
preston of his mouth. She seems 10
have a certain pleasure in checking OIL
the items, seemingly unconscious OF
the pain she is giving. In her preju-
diced mood even 81. Paul would be dis
qualified had he come in as Il friend
upon whom the husband depended Tor
affection, counsel and cumradeShip.
In the days that follow the resent
full rebellion stimulated by the defense
and protest helps her TO find new flaws
and defects. and the never failing
tricllle OF comment and criticism may
BEGIN TO wear away rock of friend
ship. The friends visits become short
er as the interval between them grows
longer and then cease. The husband
occasionally meets him downtown and
he chafeS at the thought that he is not
treating him Squareiy; il seems dis
loyal. but he cannot see how 10 change
il. He frets at the curtailment of his
freedom; he does not speak OF the
meeting ut home. He knows that If he
should speak it would mean fuSilade
of questions, not of real interest but OF
curiosity, the instinct of being on guard
like a sentry whose duty ii is to chal-
lenge. He does not care to invite the
inquisition. 1t is sad when a wife,
even through OyerZealous loving, closes
with her own hand the door of her
husbands confidence; ii may rust on
it's hinges and become difficult to re-
open.
Other friends Of his may be dropped
overheard in many ways and for many
excuses but with the same real rea-
son. One may borrow money, another
may have bad table manners which
her comments convert into almost
crime, third Is not tolerated because
of his wife, and so the catalogue of ex-
tingulshing the lights of friendship
runs on until all the old ones are
snuffed into darkness and forgetfui'
ness. The friends then are the new
ones they have made together since
their marriage and her old friends
that are new to him. They are those
that have not weathered the storms
and trials of life and been tested and
found staunch and true.
The old friendships carry with them
a sentiment deep-rOoted in the past, q
sweetness, a tenderness, a loyalty, a
communion of memories and eXpe-
riences that cannot be duplicated in
after life. They are like old books
that we have loved for years. The
binding is worn and smOothed by our
hands and by dear hands now stilled
forever; the inscription with the date
Is growing fainter for the eyes to de-
cipher but easier for the heart to read /;
there are passages that helped and In
spired US still loyalty retaining our
penciled lines so we could turn to
them in perfect confidence whenever
! we desire.
There is the thumb-mark that floods
memory with Il glow Of hallOwed gold
en- light. for only We know what il
means. There is the turned down page
IL would seem irrevercnCe TO fold
back; there are dim, dried brown tints
on the margins that somehow suggest
the autumn of cur years; thtre Is the
fern-leaf slipped in that night we shall
never forget while a smile is still left
| In the heart, and the narrow ribbon
hook-mark Is faded and crinkled. And
| the whole book is dear TO us and we
| love 1t and we trust il. 1t has IN hon.
est feel as we open Ii and il speaks
the same old words just in the same
old way with no slightest change
through all the years. The new edi.