h
gave me more pleasure than a kiss does now."

"Well, Clara," said her mother, "you don't expect to have the
high-strung, pleasurable excitement of a bride all the time, do you? I
know my experience was like yours, Clara, and I think from all those I
have heard talk about such matters that theirs is also the same. So I
take it for granted that is how it should be, and cannot be made
different. I would not let my mind dwell on it if I were you, Clara; for
you have got one of the best men for a husband, a fine boy, and a very
comfortable home."

After hearing what her mother had to say, Clara thought it best not to
say any more, for her mother had given her no satisfactory answer, and
seemed to know no more about such matters than she herself did. But she
kept thinking, "Did it have to be so?"

During the time that Clara was busy with these thoughts and talks with
her mother, there was a man walking through his orchard, apparently
looking at the fruit buds, but his mind was pre-occupied with another
subject. He was thinking that it was five years ago since he and Clara
were married, and he was thinking how happy he was when he brought her
to his home. He was thinking also of the thrills of joy and pleasure her
presence gave him before marriage, and for a month or two afterwards,
when she took his hand in hers and then kissed it; how soothing and
delightful it was; and what an attractive power she had. But now, how
different.

"It is just the same as if I kissed myself. She is just as good, just as
loving a wife, so kind and thoughtful, and we never have had any words,
but there is something. I cannot find words to express what I mean. Is
it tameness? Are other married persons like that?" And he began to think
about the married life of some of his friends. "There was Winchester and
his wife, I remember them when they were courting, they seemed
inseparable, and for a while after they were married they could not see
any one else but each other. If they were out anywhere they would sit
together holding each other's hands, and not wishing to say much to any
one else. After they had been married six months I notice they have quit
holding each other's hands, and now you seldom see them together much.
With how few married couples who have been married six years do you see
that suppleness and alertness, that zeal to please each other, and be
with one another that you see in couples about to be married."

Charles Herne thoug