, 1881-09-02


Could it be that this young man al
mired her? We are none of us without
vanity. Sally Corkindahl telt sure that
tins was so when Simon offered to see
her home that evening.
That was the beginning OF 1t. The
end was that wedding which had awak-
ened such establishment at Painted Post.
The wonder that industrious Sally
Corkindahl had married such an ldle
fellow, was only matched by the wonder
that handsome Simon Wheeler had mar
ried plain, unattractiye Sally COrkln-
dahl.
Mrs. Wheeler resented it highly.
''Since you've chosen common seam
stress, and married her without Il hlnt to
me, Won can take care of her, she sald,
Il won't.
So Simon had sauntered over to the
room which Sally hired, with his port
manteau in one hand, and Sally still
went out TO work, while Simon sat at the
window and looked at his paper. He
had told her he expected to come INTO a
fortune and she received the statement
with all credulitv and was content to toll
and pinch in the meantime. She had
placed her savings book IN hls hands.
By the law of the State in which they
lived all she had was his, and before his
wedding day WAS over Simon had bought
his first ticket. 1t was that made ms
heart beat so wildly, not the pressure OF
her lips upon his own as she met hlm
in the cleaning; but he had said to him
self:
There shan't be any more drudgery
for Sally when l draw a prize.
Each month the Great Gumbo Lottery
had a drawing, each month Simon
Wheeler drew a blank. Sally knew
nothing of 1t. On the anniversary OF
their wedding Simon bought two tickets
and drew two blanks. He was kind to
his wife, forever talked of his expecta-
tions, and praised her industry. At the
end of two years Sally began to feel a
little ANXIOUS, at the end of three a little
weary. at the end of four alarmed.
Forty-eight months had passed by,
forty-eight drawings had been made by
the Gumbo lottery and forty-nine blanks
had been drawn by Simon. One day he
E1ade his purchase and returned home
trembling; he had spent the last dollar
of his poor wife's hoard. He had
bought his fiftieth ticket in the Gumbo,
and for the first time his heart failed
him; he had always expected prize be-
fore; now lie only looked for blank.
He went into his small room. Sally
sat at her table sewing, but her customer
might have been a fairy, Judging from
the size of the garments III hand. She
looked up at Simon as he entered, and
her eyes filled with tears.
Husband" she said, 1--WE got to ask
you about the bank book. l kinder
hoped to leave the money lie and may be
add to it, but shan't be able now. Iou
have got it safe, SUPPOSE"
Yes, the book is safe, said Simon,
drearily.
''I'd like to see it. if you don't mind. y
said poor Sally. 1T seems as if it would
be sort of comfort"
Simon took the book from his pocket
and handed it to her. She opened it aud
glanced ut it. Then her face flushed and
she began to cry.
Don't" said Simon; don't, Sally,
don't cry. meant it for the best"
eff you needed it, you were welcome.
1t belonged to yon as much as to me. "
said Sally; "but you might have men
tioned it. I'd have been prepared"
81 was so sure,' said Simon. $50
sure"
so sure of what?" asked Sally.
"Of fifty thousand dollars" said Sim
on. II expected it long ago."
You've never told me what you ex
pect it FROM" said Sally. do you
think it ever will be left you? Was it
your fathers money? If you'd tell me
1 could think it over. What was it?
You wouldn't deceive me, and you are
not crazy; but can't think what you
mean by expecting fifty thousand dol
lars. And oh! l am worried Simon"
Perhaps it may come yet, Sally, said
Simon.
''He took his handkerchief from his
pocket as he spoke and wiped his wife's
eyes with it. As he did so, bit of vel
low paper fell out of his pocket into her
lap-the last Gumba lottery ticket,
bought but an hour before. She caught
at it, and her face flushed again. She
looked at her husband with the gleam
OF anger in her eyes, and cried ont,
sharply:
us this it? Is this the secret-the for
tune you've talked of Are you crazy
enough for this? Have you been buying
tickets in that cheating lottery all these
years, and is my last dollar, that see
you have drawn from the bank to-day,
spent for that thing?"
Poor Simon! He stared at his wife
for long while without answering, then
he said slowly:
''Think of it-forty nine blanks, and
every time expected prize-the capi-
tai prize. ''Only think of my disap-
pointmentr'
''I can't think of anythink except that
I've married fool" said Sally. Il
could kill myself when think of it.
believe you married me just to get that
fifty dollars to gamble with
Then, she began to cry, and Simon
turned away and stood modify grinding
his shoulder against the wall.
Eyes, I've been fool, he said, "but
though the money made me think of
asking you to have me, meant to make
you rich. 1 did, Sally. 1 vow 1 did.
We've got along very well, haven't we?
l think great deal of you. meant to
do everything for you. But it's all over
now. look at that ticket and 1 know
it's blank. 1 should never buy an
other-never, neveri You see, that
dream-I told you once of nv dream
seemed as if it must come true; but my
luck is bad, L see that"
Luck! sobbed Sally, stung by re-
sentiment and sense of tremendous loss.
Luck! oh. get out of my sight! Pick up
hot l,,,a.