Year: 1878

you are too cross for anything! It's a
downright shame to want to keep me
at home and you off so constantly
Just as if wouldn't enjoy a summer
ing as well as yourselfn


Little Mrs. Merle was quite indignant,
so much so that her pretty violet eyes
looked nearly black as they flashed
across the breakfast table at her hus-
banda big, handsome fellow, with the
loveliest golden mnstache and darling
brown eyes, which at this particular
moment were wearing an expression OF
serene amusement as he looked be-
tween the silver sugar basin and cream
pitcher at the pink rose on his wife's bo-
som, heaving so irregularly through her
decisive Indignation, that the velvety
petals fairly quivered.


Mr.. Merle calmly dipped .ms spoon
into tiny pyramid of flowing currant
Jelly.


Really, Florence, | can't for the life
ofme see what you are finding fault
with. Haven'tyou been ont TO your
mothers all Of June Didn't | buy
you all the new dresses and fixings you
wanted? am sure there is nothing TO
complain of-with your pony pheton
whenever you want, your ticket to the
park concerts, this nice cool house, the
servants and the children


Mr. Merle delivered his remarks in a
very matter Of fact way, as if his opinion
of the case in question settledit.


But Mrs. Merle, with q little bang Of
her fork as she laid it down, thought
differently, evidently, and resumed the
cudgel in her own defense quite valiant
ly.


"Of course it was perfectly lovely to
90 home in June, but | am sure you
went as well as |; SO we are even then.
As to the home convenience here, Har-
ry, that is settled question, and not
under consideration. Of course I've a
dear, delightful home, but that's no
reason why l should want to remain
forever in it. Besides, if New York is
for me, why net for you ? Then, to
think woman never gets tired of the
society other children. if they are such
darlings as oursv


Her eager, animated face was lifted
to see the effect Of her wOmanly argu-
ment; but the only result, as far as she
could observe, was an increased sereni-
ty and Importance in Harry's manner,
patent in the cool deliberation with
which he salted and ate his egg.


You don't understand, my dear
that is all. Women seldom do; and I
think it hardly necessary that l should
explain every time leave town for
few days, that It's rarely except or ur-
gent business, not to the pleasure ex-
cursions you seem to regard them"


Florence listened attentiyely, a half
doubtful expression on her pretty face.


Business again, Harry? Only last
week you had business at Saratoga, and
now-Well, it seems singular that you
arc obliged to so to Long Branch on
the same errand, just in the height of
the fashionable season, too


A sarcastic smile began TO creep
around her lip, but Mr.. Merle was per.
iectly equal to this shaft Of satire.


If, as l said, women were capable Of
understanding business in all its ins and
outs, you would appreciate the necessi-
ty of my being at the Branch, for few
days at least during the fashionable sea-
son, when the wealthy Southern and Yves
tern people arc there and an opportnni-
ty is offered 10 secure their custom, -
Pm very sure, Florence, that it Is as
much for you and the babies as for my
self that CO.


Mrs. Merle stirred her chocolate
slowly, thOughtfully, and then suddenly
looked up:


Well, whatever your errand, l insist
that 1 may just as well go as not. May
~


1t was point blank question-the
open attack after the skirmish. She
asked it eagerly, her cheeks glowing
like the dainty blossoms Of an oleander,
and hel eyes full of coaxing sweetness,
A charmingly pretty face, the fairesl
OF figures-and Harry knew 1t was SO
only that selEsame face had sat oppo-
site him nearly three years now at the
table, aud although he really loved her
dearly, he was a bit of a 6irt-very
much oflady's man-and pined for an
airing all by himself


And this trip to Long Branch was
just the thing. To be sure, he really
did have business with gentleman nj
the Ocean hOuse-business that would
require but fifteen minutes to transact
but of course that was none of Flo's
business, and il he choose to make a
fortnight's or months affair of it, he
had no one to ask. Only, somehow,
his wife's direct question hoOred him fol
one second, then he arose, in digni6et
Indifference, from the elegant little
breakfast table.


Il thought that was all arranged, Flor
ence. or course you can't go. Wo
men are a horrid nuisance when fel
lows on business. rushing from on
thing TO another and never daring to stol
till everything's DONE


To his surprise Florence received hi