The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-03-11
CUPID'S BALM
BY MAUDE n. cALLoW.
ScSeSeeeSSeeSe SeSeSSSg3SeSSgg
&c 1871, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate }

They had quarreIed: not merely
failed TO settle a difference Of opinion
but he, at 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 1t was all
over. 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 his
conduct as revealed by her would dis
close brute. und encouraged by her
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.
lie filed his pipe and forgot to light
It, From the corner Of her eye she
followed his every move. tor the man.
thinking OF cOncealing his impatience,
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 90 find II. Another long
silence followed. which increased their
embarrassment.
Then. I'm going to pack up and get
out !" 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. 1t was the force of habit
rather than an ambiguous phrase. For
was she not ready and willing to as
sist him to pack up?"
"Aren't you going home to your
mOther?" he began as II "feeIer."
81 don't mind telling you intend
doing just that" she assured him. ''but
not tonight"
But why prOlong the inevitable ?"
questioned the man with affected cool
ness. ~ told you I've had quite
enough Of your mischievous temper"
LET us not discuss that" she re-
piled calmly. 1--WE have agreed to dis
agree. I shall so tomorrow. Tonight
IL"
80? You were going to entertain
someone?" thinking he had made a
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 ! won't!''
"You ought to capitalize your omnis-
cience." she remarked with natural
nonchalance, you're such good
guesser," which only irritateti 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.
"fes. am going to entertain a man
this evening"" never once giving way
to irritation. 1.-THE best man in the
world" she added A brief pause.
"And I love him, too. only he"
"What" he cut In. Are you mad
to say such an awful thing? Do you
realize your brazenness exposes your"
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 hut for one wicked habit"
The man stood erect and faced her
as one resigned to make the best Of a
bad situation.
well. 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 bit of lingerie.
Without looking up she told him her
guest-to-be was the most iovahle man.
but for an extremely irascible temper.
II suppose" he supposed once again.
II may remain until he arrives? You
see. I want TO congratulate him.
las you like" returned the girl with
calm that made his outhurst of irony
sound absurd. But fortunately the
man was not altogether hopeless and
II dawned on him that adolescents In
revolt are not rare. and that connuhial
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 soft answer only to
regret II was too late 10 wish he had
drawn her ont instead of making a
fool OF himself hy falling an easy vic
tim to her superior self-possession.
Inundated he sat with his hack
toward her. his fee. resting on a
cushion.
"Do you mind telling me-" he asked,
In manner akin TO dog pleading for
bone. who the-that man is? and
when you expect hims"
No answer.
There was decided change In his
voice now; II was m longer causfic
M tai Ast.t -