Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 170, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 July 1913 — Their First Quarrel [ARTICLE]

Their First Quarrel

They had been engaged just two months and so far not a cloud had dimmed their horizon. Such a thing as a quarrel was impossible, would always be impossible, they solemnly told each other, for did she not love him so much that she would always accede to his wishes, and any man could never do anything but gladly give in to such a charming girl as Blise. Petite and blonde, with alluring Mae eyes, she had easily laughed her way Into the heart of staid John Armstrong despite the prophecy of her enviously inclined girl friend* that she was too frivolous to attract a man like John Armstrong Like most girls, Blise was an ardent book worm, but her taste rqn to the socaUed late society novels and sex-problem plays. John had lovingly remonstrated with her for this slight deviation from what he considered proper reading, but she had lightly kissed him, laughingly telling hfan he had picked out a butterfly for a wife and she would leave the heavy reading to him. Blise also had another habit which was particularly fascinating. Her feet s were always shod most becomingly in dainty silken hose and most bewitching pumps of the latest style.- When she sat down she invariably dropped her slippers off and sat curled up with her feet under her, and' it was in tints position among piled up cushions, reading the latest bock, that John found her one evening. She immediately laid down the book when he seated himself in & chair opposite her. He picked it up with a half chiding expression, idly running the pages over and carelessly scanning them. Several paragraghs seemed to arrest his attention. Blise watched him for a few minutes, expecting to see him lay it down in disgust, but to her surprise he kept on reading “John,” she said in the, petulant tone of a spoiled child, “John!" He did not look up, but possessing himself of her hand seemed well content to sit and read; but he soon apparently became bo Interested that dtis hold loosened and he never noticed when she withdrew it. In a few moments she got up from the couch itryj not even putting on her shoes slipped out of the French window on to the piazza. Although It was a warm night the air was chill and she hmi on a thin frock. He had always been so careful of her comfort that she thought he would be out with a scarf for her, and then she defied any book in the world to win him away from her side. To her increasing anger he kept on reading. She scion became chilled through and went back into the room and silently passing his mechanically extended hand passed up the stairs. She threw herself on her bed in a perfect paroxysm of rage. She would never forgive him—never would speak to him again After what seemed hours she heard his voice calling her from the foot of the stairs. “I have gone to bed,” she called back tersely. He apologized, begged and pleaded for her to come down, but she was obdurate and even his tic eat to come up after her was’ of no avail. Finally a very stern voice quietly said “Good night.” She tiptoed to the railing expecting to still see him standing there,' but the hollow clang of the door echoed dully back he had really gone, in an Instant many things flashed through her mind—how much she loved him, how good he was, and supposing anything should nappen to him and they had parted in anger! Without waiting for anything she sped down the stairs. She could see his tall form going down th.e hilL She called “John," but he did not hear her and like an arrow she lightly ran after him. He saw her shadow on the moonlit road and turned so quickly that She ran right into his arms. “Why, child," he said with contrition written all over his face, "you have no slippers on," and gently taking her arm started back to the house with her, but with a strange perverseness she abruptly broke from his grasp and ran back to the bouse. John was proud and unused to the Strange whim* and foibles of women, and being by this time thoroughly angry he did not follow her but went home. Blise cried herself to sleep end all her theories of compromise vanished.

She never knew how she lived through tho next day. Every time the telephone rang she tensely welted for It to stop at their ring, and her heart sank in despair as It repeatedly rang for some other number. At hurt she could stand It no longer and she telephoned to hla office. "Mot In," camo back the answer. Oh, how she longed to shake tho port office boy who so glibly gave her this information, "May he bock tonight; don’t know.” It was a vary desperate girl who. heavily veiled, presented herself at the law offices of Graham A Armstrong and Insisted on waiting until the office closed. When John hurried tn loekllty the Incorrigible office boy woe out or his Idol’s dignity would have suffered very much. "We will never quarrel again, will we, sweetheart,” he said tenderly. ."Never, John,” she replied; but the eternal feminine would not be. stilled, and she added softly, “Not until the next time.”—Mßß. ADA WATER HOUSE. .