Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-10-26
A Marital
Preparation
BY SADIE oLcor1

not knowing whether he's going 4
make a good husband or horrid one
I've good mind to break our engage
mcnt"
Strange. isn't It? was thinking
lbe same thug about mans tylnl
himself ~ for life to woman Ms
uncle snys man runs an awful risl
when be marries."
"How should be know? Hes never
been married.
1--WE no doubt that your aunt vii,
Is an elderly maiden. put All this dis
trust into your head I've often heard
her say Size wouldn't marry the best
man in the world"
AUNT Martha has very clear idea
Of mems faults"
$50 has my Uncle Jim Of women's
shortcomings But, as said mo-
mcnt ago. I've been thinking myself
that it's ike taking cold plunge TO
be married. II you think you don't
care TO risk It perhaps we'd better
break It on
She pohted at this and bent her eyes
down on loclzet she was toying with.
"Uncle jim says" he continued,
that marriage IS all very well so long
as the spoOning lasts, but Just as soon
MS couple come down TO the real
thing the girl discovers that she hasn't
got exactly what she wanted or the
fellow finds he's made a bull, or both
do. and the fracas begins. Now. sup
pose we stop spooning and treat each
other In that friendly way married
people do. We'd find out the cause of
future dissatisfaction and could make
up our minds with deliberation wheth-
cr we'd better risk 1t or not"
That's good Idea. When shall we
begin--now"
mo; the next time we meet"
He didn't care to begin now, because
1t was only IL o'clock at night and he
was quite sure he would wish to spoon
till /. So they sat locked In each 9TH
er's arms TIL 2. when they made prep
arations for parting. which required
half an hour more, and finally succeed
ed In dragging themselves away from
each other at 3. They were to begin
their humdrum matrimonial treatment
Mt their next meeting. and In order to
be well prepared he was not to call
again for three days. When the time
was up he had nerved himself to act
like a man who had been married ten
years. He gave her perfunct0ry kiss
and, throwing himself into an easy
chair. asked II anything new had turn
ed up since he saw her last. She gave
him scornful glance, made no reply
and. taking seat In another part of
the room, took up book she had been
reading.
He yawned and. taking a cigarette
from box, liz it, leaned back and
smoked. There was a long silence. 1t
was only a few minutes, but it seemed
long"
Been to your aunt's today?" he
asked.
mo. Is your uncle wellf"
"Yery."
Another silence. during which he I
took up n magazine from a table, turn
cd over the leaves and threw IL down.
Then no glanced in her direction and
saw that the book she was reading. or,
rather. pretending TO read. was upside
down. pictures and all.
Been a big storm lately7"
Not that l know of. Why do you
esk?"
"Oh, see a picture Of capsized
ship In the book you're reading"
This called her attention to the In
verted position OF the volume. aud she
reversed IL. There was DO sound ex-
cept the turning Of its leaves. which
occurred so rapidly that she must have
been capable OF reading a page every
Ten seconds. Finally he said. with
Tawn:
Il shall have to go TO bed early to-
night. I've been up till late for several
nights"
I'm sorry you must 60 early"
He took out his watch II was
quarter TO .. II think III so now"
10 said. I'm drop into the club for a
ew minutes before | go to my room"
Good night"
Since he had not risen this was some
What unexpected. He arose with a
cowl ON his brow aud. without say
ng word OF adieu. strobe 10 the clos
/ In the hall and was hunting for his
Iat aud cane when he heard a sob di-
ectly behind him. She was there
Iolding her handkerchief 20 her eyes,
lie clasped her IN bis arms. aud her
lead fell ON his shoulder. There was
IA impressive silence for some mo
lentS, which he broke
Il don't believe this test plan Is at
n necessary"
"I--don't-thlnk SO"
I'm sure there are no disagreeable
about You that would cause
10 TO wish myself unmarried"
you won't treat mo badly. win you.
larry. dearT
"No."
The promise was sealed With kiss.
-.