The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-11-09

"That's too bad I always liked that little
ring, but most probable you didn't care much
for it. did you, now?"
"Why-why Of course did! What time do
YOU think it Is, Mr. Miller? 1t must be after
twelve, seems to me. l don't believe I shall
have a good nights rest until l get back to
Milwaukee, I've been somewhere or other
nearly every evening since l came. Mr. Ray
mond has taken me to the theatre several
times"
"Do you like Boston people better'n Penn
sylvany folks, Miss Ebbs?"
"I-I-that is-why-"
Maybe it just depends on which Of 'em
likes yow best! Well, know somebody who
used to think you was the incest kind Of girl,
but he was poor then, you see. You never liked
poor people, did you?"
Il don't understand you, Mr.. MillerI"
"A es yni do, too"
"Colne, Mariana!" calls out Mrs. McCaffery
and the ear stops and we all start to get out
Jim helps me down the steps and then he gives
his hand to Miss Ebbs, who is right behind me.
Be careful, Maria, and don't step in the
mud." 1 hears him say.
Good evenin' ALL" he sings out at the top
of his voice, just as we come to our house, and
[ walks in the door and right straight up stairs
without sayin' a word
When l gets to my room I sits down on the
bed and takes out my handkerchief and cries
like a baby. l couldn't keep in no longer. l
wished I was dead What was the use oflivin
if Jim didn't care for me? And I'd had to
wear my old gloves to the theatre cause ne was
too mean to come back for my best ones, and
he scolded about my askin' Mr.. Raymond if he
didn't miss the peanuts, and he talked all the
time to Miss Ebbs. Like as not he was in love
with her before he ever saw me. Didn't l hear
him tell her he knew somebody what used to
think heap of her? 1 was just sure he gave
her that gold ring he was talkin' about. He
said it was a little one though, and mine was
real wide, so maybe he thought the most OF me
after all. l wished he would come up stairs so
| could ask him which one of US he liked best
l could see the gas was burnn' real bright in
the settin'-room so he was most probable
smokin' his pipe. 1t was downright mean in
him to stay out there so long. He wasn't worth
cryin' for and I wasn't goin' to make fool of
myself no longer.
So up I gets and takes off my bonnet and
cloak and then l starts to pull off my rubbers,
and [ remembers how jim said Maria be
careful and don't step i'll the mud" and the
tears rolls down my checks again. He didn't
care whether I got muddy or not! How did
he Know her name was Maria? Mrs. NcCafTery
didn't call her that l was sure. Then it came
over me, why they named the mine the
Stunnin' Maria! l came pretty near screamin'
I kept sayin' to myself that I'd never, neyer for
give Jim as long as I lived! I sat right down
on the bed again and cried harder'n ever
All of a sudden l hears him comm, and
jumps up in hurry and makes believe to be
huntin' for somethin' over on the bureau
"Sallie," he says, and his voice sounds so
queer that 1 quick turns around, and there he
stands by the door lookin' as white as a sheet
and holdin' a letter out to me-
whats happened, Jimi" I cries, nearly
frightened to death.
Its a telegram from Joe come while we
was away and-and-Ruggles & Co. has busted
and our moneys every cent of it gone!"
Then L rushes up to him and puts my arms
round his neck, and the tears rolls down my
checks right on to my new silk dress.
"Never mind, jim" says, never mind
Well go back to the store and money amt
much to have anyhow, and Wen make whole
lot ourselves, and L never did care nothin'
about bein' rich, and We'll get Joe to buy us
another mine, and you've got me and the baby
yet, Jim, and l wouldn't care a cent, if 1 was
you, deed l Wouldn't"
It's funny, too, but about the first thing I
thought of was, that Miss Ebbs wouldn't even
look at Jim, now he was poor!