Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-05-01

By EARL REEp sllvERs.

my Wife" He and Betty had beer
married for year and half and IN
that time they had never once dis
agreed on a single subject-excepi
dancing. In his bachelor days Ted
had rather prided himself on his abil.
ity In the terpsichorean art. and the
compliments which several maldenly
hopefuls showered upon him only
strengthened his belief that he could
easily and happily dance his way
through life.
And then he had met Betty VIII
iiams. Betty cared more Cor playing
tennis than she did for dancing, and
when Ted had danced with her once or
twice he too showed a decided prefer
ence for the freedom Of the courts.
Even Betty's most ardent admirers adj
United that the young lady In question
would never be another Mrs. Vernon
Castle. But Ted had married her Just
the same.
what difference does Il maker" he
had said to himself. There are 9TH
er things In life besides dancing"
And then. strange as 1t may seem.
Betty Baldwin. nee williams. con-
celved sudden desire to learn all the
latest steps. Through the long winter
season she dragged Ted regularly to
the weekly hops at the Country club,
using her wifely prerogative to make
him dance every single number with
her. Her natural bent, however, was
still toward tennis. After a month or
so Of endless fox trotting and waltzing
the week-ends became veritable night
mares to the otherwise happy husband.
He ventured protest.
II don't think you'll ever be much
Of a dancer, Betty" he advised her
pleasantly. Lets not go to the club
tonight"
Betty answered not a word. For
moment she gazed at her husband with
wide-opened eyes; then, suddenly she
dropped her head in her dimpled arms
and burst into tears. Thereafter Ted
bore his cross In silence. The dancing
subject was taboo.
When the date Of the annual assem-
bly, ball rolled around, however, Ted
grew well nigh desperate. A world
famed orchestra had been engaged to
provide music, and twenty-five dances
had been placed upon the cards. More
over, Mildred Chatfield. whom Ted had
not seen for three years and who was
the most wonderful dancer he had ever
known, had arrived In Glenwood and
had stated her intention of attending
the ball. She reminded Betty's hus-
band not to forget to dance with her.
On the evening of the dance young
Mr.. Ted Baldwin gazed with half. |
opened eyes at has wife. sitting oppo-
dte. Suddenly a plan flashed into his
mind.
Betty" he said, "we've been mar.
led for almost two years now. haven't
YET"
"Yes." she answered. zone year and
light months"
"And we've never had q disagree
mont"
Never"
"what's the reasonr'
"Don't you known She looked at
him inquiringly.
II don't think I do"
swell. I'll tell you It's because
'our wife. whom you don't half appre-
date. has resolved to overlook all Of
'our faults and to smile indulgentiy ;,
whenever you DO anything wrong"
Ted's face lighted
"Do you mean to say that whatever
do. you'Il simply smile and let It
ASST"
THAT'S what have been doing for
he past twenty-odd months"
Ted nodded.
"Yes," he answered seriously.
When I come to think Of 1t you're
lght." He walked around the table
nd kissed one Of her ruddy cheeks.
But I'll bet you q box Of candy
gainst q good cigar that can do
that win make you angry"
what kind Of thingr'
"It won't be wrong" he explained,
and 1t won't be mean; but I'll bet
QUIZ be angry just the same"
II don't think shall" She held out
err hand. SHAKE" she said.
They shook.
After his wife had adjourned to the
PIPER regions. Ted took a piece Of
ote paper carefully from the desk In
he library, wrote a single sentence
pom 1t and tucked the sheet carefully
a his wallet. Then he smiled smile
( infinite content. For the first time
hat winter he looked forward with