Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1921-04-01
CUPlD'S BALM.
BY MAUDE II. cALLow.
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They had quarreled; not merely
failed to settle difference Of opinion
but he, 1T least, had actually used
harsh words. Trivial disputes had
arisen before between the boy and the
girl--they were scarcely more than
that-during their brief married
period. but by mutual compromising
an amicable settlement had always
been reached. But now it was all
oyer. There could be no reconcilia.
ton. "
He would have liked to know her
plans for the future, but was deter.
mined to yield no longer to her auto.
cratic whims.
She was likewise confident that hil
conduct as revealed by her would dis:
close a brute; and encouraged by he1
friends, she would remain firm until
he came to beg her. forgiveness and
acknowledge his mistakes. Then per-
haps she would consider taking him
back.
He filed his pipe and forgot to light
1t. From the corner of her eye she
followed his every move, for the man.
thinking of concealing his Impotence
only succeeded in doing the opposite by
an exaggerated show Of Indifference
"Where's my best suit?" he de.
manded.
She glared at him and haughtily
told him to go find it. Another long
silence followed. which increased theil
embarrassment.
Then, I'm going to pack up and get
Quit" said the man.
"Shall help you, dear?" she asked
What did she mean? But of course
the dear" was uttered quite uncon.
sciously, he had the good sense to tell
himself. Yes, it was the force Of habit
rather than an ambiguous phrase. For
was she not ready and willing to as.
sist him to pack up2"
aren't you going home to your
mother?" he began as "feeler."
II don't mipd telling you I intend
doing just that she assured him. but
not tonight"
~But why prolong the inevitable? p
questioned the man with affected cool.
ness. II told you I've had quite
enough Of your mischievous temper"
Let us not discuss that" she re.
piled calmly. I'VE have agreed to dis.
agree. shall go tomorrow. Tonight
~"
$50? You were going to entertain
someone?" thinking he had made g
shrewd guess. "And perhaps that's
just why you started this quarrel?-
thought I'd run out and leave you to
do as you please-but l WON'T"
"You ought to capitalize your omnis'
cience," she remarked with natural
nonchalance, you're such good
guesser," which only irritated him the
more.
"You may think you're smart
growled the man, having fully sue
cumbed to his irate temper, "but your
frankness is ridiculously crude"
A mischievous little laugh preceded
her next sting.
Eyes, am going to entertain a man
this evening"" never once giving way
to irritation. ~-'"rhe best man in thu
world" she added. A brief pause
"And love him, too, only he"
"What!" he cut in. Are you mac
to say such an awful thing? Do yor
realize your brazenness exposes you?'
But she gave no heed to his aug
+ mented ugliness. and continued with
out culver in her voice, II was go
ing to say that he is just the dearest
man but for one wicked habit"
The man stood erect and faced hel
as one resigned to make the best of 8
bad situation.
swell, since you are so fond of this
man, suppose you tell me more about
him."
She had brought out her work has
ket and was busy on a bit of lingerie
Without looking up she told him hel
guest-tO-be was the most lovable man
but for an extremely irascible temper
II suppose" he supposed once again
II may remain until he arrives? You
see, want to congratulate him!''
"As You like" returned the girl with
a calm that made his outburst of irony
sound absurd. But fortunately the
man was not altogether hopeless, and
it dawned on him that adolescents in
revolt are not rare. and that connubial
bliss without its occasional trials
would be contrary to both truth and
fiction.
He had begun to see the light and
knew he was outwitted. He recalled
the gospel Of a soft answer only to
regret it was too late to wish he had
drawn her out instead of making a
fool of himself by falling an easy vic.
tim to her superior self-possession.
Humiliated, he sat with his back
toward her, his feet resting on 8
cushion.
do you mind telling me-" he asked
in manner akin to dog pleading fol
a bone, "who the-that man is? and
when Won oxnQct him2"