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I TO-DAY'S SHORT STORY.] I…

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I TO-DAY'S SHORT STORY.] I A Honeymoon QLlarrel.? I [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] They were on their honeymoon, and it had H not been a success—indeed, anything but a H pleasant time. Who, or which, of them, was to blame for this it would be impotL-ible to ■ say; doubtless, the wife blamed the husband, and the husband blamed the wife. ■ The two were seated in the bandsomely- ■ furnished drawing-room of a large villa, ■ facing the bine waters of the stiii Aiediter- ranean, with a clear moonlit sky overhead. "Do you care to go to the opera to-ni?ht?" he asked. It will pass the time," she replied, indif- ■ ferently; "and you have tickets." "Oh! never mind the tickets," ho returned. Perhaps you would prefer to remain heve and rest quietly; it is very pleasant." Very pleasant," she repeated, ironically, to sit here with the ohoice of staring either at you or the wall paper. Some people say you are gfood-loo king, but Her lip curled sarcastically, which he saw, and frowned. is the sea," he remarked. Yes; it's very interesting. I suppci-e you will go in any she asked, smothering a yawn. Their eyes met. In hers was a mocking light; in his keen penetration, but he aid not speak. "Well," she said, "don't look t30 blue. Silence is, oi course, gulden. Why not take a stroll along the pronnenade? It's livelier t £ iere. Posiibiy you .vould not loel so bored." I might not," he answered gravely. Husbands and wives arj not expected to H arcUoc each other," she returned. Fortu- aNlY. that one thins: which does not come under the category oi matrimonial duties; it is not mentioned in the marriage service, as far as I recollect. It's a, good thing we H a.re not expected t" try, for the result in our case would be failure." H lie rose with an impatient movement, and H as he walked towards the roe: a door said: H if you intend go-.zii; to tho c-pcra, it is H time for you to dros^ H Left alone, a cm ions i-mile played across H hr features for a monie-.it; and settled lines H of pain showed in the ironical curve of her lip. ■ The pallid light of the moon fell athwart ■ ber face, which, although not faultless in its ■ beauty, wa.s yet sir.g\iia:y fascinating. ■ Fcr a time she became lost in a reverie. ■ She was wondering if people who married ■ for love were in any decree happier or more ■ miserable than she wad, ■ There was a new linger, a Madam Latima, H at the opera that night. a beautiful woman, ■ with a voice of marvellous power, and she ■ that her husband was fascinated, for his ■ eyes were fixed on the actress. He was no H longer bored, and his face had lost that look H of indiffeiencs that irritated her so. ■ Only ones did ho address her, and that was ■ to a«jk: ■ Do you not think Madam Latima has a ■ most wonderful voice?" ■ Oh, beautiful—perfectly delightful," she ■ returned with exaggerated enthusiasm and ■ unnecessary eill}jhasis, I Jealousy had ciayped its chill finger rcund ■ her heart, and it was with the utmost diffi- ■ culty she could sit calmly and listen to the I sinking of Madam Latima. I They drove home to the villa in cilence, ■ for the aggravating husband made no further ■ remarks about the singer. ■ morning at breakfast she asked: "Per- ■ oival, how much longer are we to stay here?" I You would possioly like to see the Car- I nival. Irene?" I Oh! the Carnival. Not much, but still ■ we'll stay—only I am afraid you will find it dull." Do you really think so?" I She felt his eyes were searching her face, I and the.re WJ.5 something- in hit; look that sent I the blood to her cheeks. I Well, I suppose it is monotonous for both ■ of us. At any rate, it is deceiving- to others." I And she laughed ag^ravatingly. "They think ■ we are a devoted couple." I "Then, why not let them continue to t1;mk I so?" he replied calmly, and with an indif- I ference that aiways raised her anger. I "Oh! it doesn't matter, of course, not in I the slightest degree. They would not under- I ftand if we told them that we had been mar- I ried by a reluctant, if mutual, consent. 1 An I ironical curl of the lip, and she added, "I do ■ not remember if you even proposed I did. and you accepted me," Le I returned, with the same calm indifference. I Her eyes blazed. "I wish now I had been I wise and said no," she answered. I He did not reply, but buried himself in the "Times." I She was young, beautiful, rich, and dres6-.>d I charming1 y. He was good-looking, ;Xro:\ but I heir to a baronetcy. Their people had I arranged everything. Hie mother and hers I had been specially eager, and the marriage I had taken place by mutual consent. I A long silence, when &he s.id again, and I with sarcasm: I Do you know, I really believe there are I people who think ours was a lave match.. I One's friends are so wise. Now, if it had I been a love match, there are people who I would say that you married me for my-" I "Very well, you need say no more. I oan I finish the sentence for myself." I The isame day they were seated in the gar- dens. when Irene said suddenly and ca.re- lessly I forgot to say that I had written to dearest mamma, asking her to come and stay with me. She has never been in the Riviera." An ominous siieuce, then he said abruptly: You might at least have had the common oourtesy to consult me." "Why should I consult you? I tell you. Percival, time hangs so heavy that I must invite someone." Irene, you might have chosen somebody else." Her mother was no favourite of his. I prefer dearest mamma to all the world. She loves me. I won't be lonely after her arrival. I shall go everywhere with her," "be oonouded enthu5Ül:,tieally,. You are complimentary to me," he re- turned. "There is no reason," she said defiantly, "why you should not cro your way and I mine? As we are married we have to make the beet of it." Or the worst of it," he added. Her lip curled sarcastically. are living such an amicable life that there is no reason why we should consult each other. Do you see?" "I see perfectly," he replied. "Irene, ao you ever look forward to a time when you won't regret our marriage?" She averted her face, but did not speak, and a.t the same moment her eyes lighted on Madam Latima, who happened to be passing. Your divinity with the wonderful beauty and the marvellous voice," she said I.,arcasti- eally. He glanced at the actress, but did not speak. Madam Latima was not so attractive oft the stage as on. That night Irene went out alone to past a t- el". Somewhat surprised at this un- usual proceeding, Percivai soid nothing, ut as a considerable time; e13¡;d and she did not return he became alarmed, and went out in search of her. He had uiade- his way to the Post Office fcnd some distance beyond it without obtain- ing any trace of his wife. Suddenly he saw her on the opfposite side of the street, talking in a very earnest manner to a. man who was wearing a long ligi't overcoat. He "tDxl watching them for some time, when he saw ber part with the stranger, then hasten away along the street toward the villa. When he entered Irene was seated in the drawing-room serene and innocent-looking. He was very pale, and there were hard, set tines about his mouth. Your letter took a considerable time to post," he said, standing: some little distance arart from her.. Her lip curled slightly, and her voice had that tone that always aggravated him as she eaid: Yen cannot mean me to believe that you regretted my absence or longed for my return?" It is my duty to take care of you," be replied, his features calm and set. Unfortunately, it is. I am sorry yicra are tied so closely to me. Are she asked, her lip curling ironiealiy as before. He did not answer her question, hut said: "Alarmed at your long atcexLce, I went out in search of you." A shadow rxwsed across her features. ?nd after a brief silence she replied: Percival, I want you to do something for me. Will you promil to do it?" I promise to do it if I can." he returned. She moved uneasily, glanced at his pale, set features, then her;an: Before I-I met you there was someone etee who was very fond of me. I oould not marry him can he was a gambler and ali ttat. He is in want and in trouble. I want to send him money-£500. Will you do this for me?" Your money is your own, to do with as yon please." he said sternly. He has promised to reform, and this money will give him a start. I know he will keep his word to me. for he did love me." "Was it you or your money he loved?" came back in reply. "The mote is in your own eye. Cast it out fhwt," she retorted. He had been calm until now, but at her woTds burst into a perfect fury of anger. "I wih to heaven you could lose your money. I would sooner break stones on a road for a living than have your gold flung tD my face eovery day I did marry YmI for yrmr money, and oare who knows it. Bat, to tell the truth, I would change pia-cee jaKh poorest* peaaoixV or 1beif J could forget that I had ever seen your face." And do you think," she said, her eyes flashing, "that a woman will ever forgive such an insult. If you have no ehame, I have self-respect, even though bound to a man who declare he married me for my money." While she was speaking he had avertoo his face, and when he looked at her again she was sobbing bitterly. "Oh! liene! Irene!" he cried. His arms were round her, and she buried her face on his bre-at-t. Quick as the sunshine comes after April showers, smiles followed her tears, and the cloudii vanished. "You will send this money, Percival," she said. Yes, darling." And you will never be cross with your dearest Irene a.gain? Promise me." "Never! Sweetheart, I swear it." A long pause, after which the repentant and forgiven husband asked: When do you expect mamma to arrive?" She raised her eyes to his face as she answered: Do you know, Percival, dear, I forgot to pest the letter."

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