SHORT STORY.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 52, 11 February 1913, Page 7

SHORT STORY.

PEACEMAKERS. - . > —'

By W. Pett Ridge, in 'The Daily Mail.' "Seems such a pity, George," she gaid earnestly. "Here tliey are, not teen married more than five minutes, so to speak, and quarrelling, apparently as though' they'd been together for years." "People must fight their own battles," remarked her husband. "But they can often be helped by a few friendly words of advice. Would you have any objection to coming along With me and If Christmas wasn't close on t6 us I wouldn't trouble. But you know the old motto about peace on earth." . , "Lookhere!" putting down his evening newspaper. "You're a well-mean-ing. woman andi I'm a well-meaning chap, but we mustn't get too fond of minding other folks' business. ' No sense in taking more responsibility than what our shoulders can bear." "You forgot she's your sister. If she'd been from my side of the family I'd have given her a talking to long before now.v Still, I suppose you're master of this house, and you're entitled to have your own way." There was so much good sense in this last remark that, as she went to and fro from the scullery and set out the evening meal on the table, he inquired in reasonable tones what she would say to v his relative and to the, relative's* husband supposing the visit were paid. His wife declared the topic already settled and dismissed from her thoughts, but he pressed the question, and as they sat dowii she sketched out a few of tile words of advice she considered suitable for the occasion. Marv (she had intended to say, only that, of course, the opportunity would not now arise), Mary, as one a good four years older than yourself and consequently possessing more experience, do let me beg of you not to have rows with vour husband over trifling matters. Save it all up until something important happens, and then, if you must let fly, why let fly, but don't, Marv, as you value your happiness and his, don't start bickering over small differences of opinion. "Help yourself!" she urged, breaking off. "A steak and kidney pie and me have never met excepting- on the most amicable terms," he admitted l , "and providing you think I'm not making a hog of myself I will take another go. If every married man had a wife who could cook as well as you do " "Don't get sentimental," she interrupted, not displeased by the compliment. She went- on with the rehearsal.

He asked presently whether his wife felt thoroughly and completely bent upon this idea of visiting the newly married relatives, and she urged him not to bother his mind any further in the matter. It was just a notion that occurred to her, and probably he was right and she was wrong. On this, he found his cap and overcoat and requested her not to be longer over the task of making herself presentable than was absolutely necessary. Five minutes later she was considering in the passage the question of taking an umbrella ; inspecting the night she derided it would never have the cheek to furnish rain. She held in her hand a small round parcel; this, it was explained, contained one of the five Christmas puddings, an offering to the relative that would open discussion in a friendly manner. ******** "We're like a couple of good angels, you know, George, setting out 011 a mission." They waited at the point which announced "All Cars Stop Here," and she almost purred with content. "There's such a lot of good to be done in the world if vou only go the r'srht wav about it. What I sh'd really like if I'd got the leisure time to spare would be to go round and call at houses and trv to make up and smooth ovc any little differences that existed. I Relieve a deal could be done in that wav." ,

"You wouldn't be popular, old girl," lie commented. "Besides which, supposin' someone else had the same inspiration and called on you with a similar ''

' A silly thing to say. George. There's no sense in that. You know as well as I do that we have our arguments now and again, but it's only when the occasion demands it. Surely you see it in the same light as what I do." "You must remember that I'm thickheaded. You made the remark yourself on the twelfth of October last." "Couldn't have known what I was saving." The tramcar 'came, and the conductor accepted the offer of fares before they went up the steos; recognising the courtesy, the official—while the lady Trent up—gave to the husband an account of the behaviour of a half-penny passenger on the previous journey. The conductor was so anxious that no one should accuse him of giving anything less than a verbatim report that the recital lasted some minutes, and when the husband 1 again joined company with his wife he found her changed in demeanour. It appeared she had' decided now on a greater plainness, increased force of speech. It was 'not a case where nonsense had to be endured. A piece of her mind was ff hat she proposed to give them, and' lo excuse would exist for any misapprehension. "Listen to me, I shall sav - If you two " Her husband nodded as she progressed with the new scheme of campaign. ********

The knocker was made to give an "inouncement of great resolution; the two callers waited and listened for of footsteps within. There were 1,0 lights in the house and the knockagain forced to clatter loudly; time with a suggestion of impatience.

, "Has that sister of yours had the [ropudc-nce to go off and leave the «se all by itself?" , "It's too big to be taken with her," !j? remarked. "Besides which, she know we were going to pay a visit." "

„ "Tlion I suppose," resignedly, . got to stand about here mirsln£ this blessed Christmas pudding for Eoodness knows .how long, and waiting lady's pleasure?" , There's the alternative of strolling ""ck home again.'' 'No!" she retorted definitely. "Not ■l've come all prepared to pitch mo he r an( j j> m no t going to be baulkI'Please yourself, my dtear." I intend to!" fhey went up the street keeping the °"se in sight and, before turning, « Pot of ran fell. He said it meant -Pwung and pointed out hopefully that wet weatker had beett foretold ia tie

evening paper. Two minutes later the journal proved for once to be correct. They took shelter as best they could near the door of the house. "This. George," she said, "is all your fault." "I don't turn the rain on. I'm. responsible for several matters, but not for that." ' "Didn't I Specially warn you to bring an umbrella?" '"Since the question is put,.allow me to reply that you most certainly did not!" "Then let me inform you," she declared' excitedly, "that you're nothing more nor less than a wicked story-teller. I wonder you can look nie in the face and say such a tiling. I wish with all my heart, George, I'd never had the horrible misfortune to meet you, and to " "that's this?" inquired the young sister's A>ice. She had arrived from a walk, arm in arm with her husband, each wearing a mackintosh. "Yon two quarrelling again ? Such a pitv you can't manage to live on good 'terms with each other. Henry and me so often get anxious about you!" The visitors hurried off without a word. Reaching the gate, the lady turned and the small Christmas pudding was flung violently. The young sister secured it; a high up, righthanded catch close to the boundary.