The Columbus dispatch., 1921-03-27
CUPID'S BALM
BY MAUpE H. cALLoW.

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 amlcable settlement had always
been reached But now it was all
over. There could be no recOnCllla-
tlOn.
He would have liked to know her
plans for the future, but was deter
mined to yield no longer to her auto
cratic whlms,
She was likewise confident that his
conduct as revealed by her would dis
close brute, and encouraged by her
friends. she would remain firm uptll
he came to beg her forgiveness and
acknowledge his mistakes. Then per-
haps she would consider taking him
back.
lie filled 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 impatience,
only succeeded in doing the opposite by
an exaggerated show of indifference.
where's my best sult?" lie de-
manded.
She glared at him and haughtily
told him TO go find 1t. 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 mennl But OF course
the dear" was uttered quite uncon-
sclously, 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
slst him to pack upl"
aren't you going home to your
mother?" he began as a "feeler."
II don't mind telling you l intend
doing just that" she assured him, but
not tonight"
But why prolong the inevitabler
questioned the man with affected cool
ness. Il 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. l shall 90 tomorrow. Tonight
IL" d
$50? You were going to entertain
someonei" thinking he had made a
shrewd guess "And perhaps that's
just why you started this quarrel7--
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 irrltated him the
more.
you may think you're smart"
growled the man, having fully sue
cumbed to his irate temper, "but your
frankness Is rldlculously crude"
A mischievous little laugh preceded
her next sting.
"Yes, I am going TO entertain man
this evening"" never once giving way
to. irritation. "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 thingl DO you
realize your brazenness exposes your
But she gave no heed to his aug
>mented ugllness, 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 her
as one resigned to make the best Of a
bad situation.
swell, since you are so fond OF this
man, suppose you tell me more about
him."
She had brought out her work bas-
ket and was busy on bit OF lingerie.
Without looking up she told him her
guest-to-be was the most l0vable 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
II dawned on him that adolescents In
revolt are not rare. and that connublal
bliss without It's 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 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 a
cushion.
'Do you mind telling me- he asked
in a manner akin to dog pleading for
a bone, "who the-that man Isl and
when you expect him?'
No answer.
There was decided change In his
voice now; 1t was no longer caustic
and contained hint OF remorse.
She had laid aside her work and
was looking directly at him, trying
hard to keep from laughing outright.
He arose and faced her, then his