The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-11-02


shown to have some failing wrapped
up in the seams. When he is most
interested in impressing her she looks
way off into the distance or flags his
train of thought at the way-station of
some commonplace observation that
shows she has only been half listening
as she interrupts to point out the fun
ny shade of cloud or to ask him If |
he does not think old-rose sash-cur-
tains are beautiful.
When he invites his friend to dinner |
at their house for the first time he is
filed with boyish delight-and over
anxious that it will be success. He |
is proud of his home and wantss to
have it admired; he is proud of his
wife and proud of his friend and wants
them really to like each other. She is
pleasant but just a little more digni-
fed than is absolutely necessary;
there is slight air of constraint; talk
does not flow freely. The fountain of
his friends wit throws only a timid,
tentative spray occasionally and causes
only the faintest splash of a half
smile. After the coffee things bright
cLi up d IlItlS anu ONSI tllC NlSuE5 IlG
two talk over cid bat lit is not real
trio. When goodnight time comes
and he goes to the door and helps his
| friend on with his coat, and theyastand
on the steps a few minutes, look up
| at the stars and discuss the weather
prospects, there seems note missing
in the music. Both are conscious
| of it.
When he hurries back to the dining
room, where they have tarried because
it seemed more comfortable, to hear
the verdict of the jury of enc, he is
disappointed even though he feared it
was prejudiced. The first remark.
Hasn't he large hands?" does not
seem really vital but it 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 conceited; he mispronounced
four words; he called her husband by
some flippant nickname; he has such
strange views of religion, she is sure
he is an atheist; there must be some
thing wrong with his family, he never
mentioned any of them she would
wager anything there is a cruel streak
in him for she could tell it by the eX-
preston of his mouth. She seems to
, have certain pleasure in checking off
the items, seemingly unconscious of
the pain she is giving. In her preju-
diced mood even st. Paul would be dis
? qualified had he come in as friend
!, upon whom the husband depended for
e affection, counsel and comradeship.
: In the days that follow the resent
e full rebellion stimulated by the defense
y and protest helps her to find new flaws
;. and defects, and the never failing
T trickle of comment and criticism ma,
begin to wear away a rock of friend
IS ship. The friends visits become shor'
S, er as the interval between them grow
10 longer and then cease. The husban
is occasionally meets him downtown an
IS he chafes at the thought that he is M
If treating him squarely; it seems Oil
N loyal, but he cannot see how to chang
lie it. He frets at the curtaiiment of hi
e freedom; he does not speak OF tn
,e meeting at home. He knows that il h
t. should speak it would mean fusilad
, of questions, not of real interest but
d curiosity, the instinct of being on guar
Is like a sentry whose duty it is to chal
is lenge. He does not care to invite tn
e inquisition. 1t is sad when a wife
e even through overzealous loving, close
e with her own hand the door of he
q, husbands confidence; it may rust o.
Is its hinges and become difficult to re
n open.
= Other friends of his may be droppe,
y overheard in many ways and for man.
e excuses but with the same real rea
ID son. One may borrow money, anothe
may have bad table manners whicl
-e her comments convert into almost
v crime, third is not tolerated beeaus
d of his wife, and so the catalogue OF ez
e. tinguishing the lights of Friendship
e. runs on until all the old ones ar
1f snuffed into darkness and forgetful
n ness, The friends then are the neN
" ones they have made together sine
ar their marriage and her old friend
s that are new to him. They are thos
r. that hive not weathered the storm
ut and trials of life and been tested an
d. found staunch and true.
The old friendships carry with ther
a a sentiment deep-rooted in the past,
We sweetness, a tenderness, a loyalty,
T. communion of memories and expt
nj riences that cannot be duplicated /
70 after life. They are like old book
th that we have loved for years. Th
to binding is worn and smoothed by GU
IS. hands and by dear hands now stille
o. forever; the inscription with the dat
re is growing fainter for the eyes to d'
er cipher but easier for the heart to read
lg there are passages that helped and il
Id spired us still loyalty retaining OF
it penciled lines so we could turn
III them in perfect confidence whenevt
of we desire.
,ir There is the thumb-mark that flooc
memory with a glow of hallowed gol'
IT. en- light, for only we know what
ID, means. There is the turned down pas
m IL would seem irreyerence to fol