The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-06
TOMS WIFE.
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 ity giril No wife for struggling [, ing man," sighed rich, eccentric Aunt >~rah. sorrowfully.
 Brought up with the expectation of becoming an heiress, too. Her exnava- gant habits viii ruin the boyp said Mrs. Pry, severely.
 "And beauty l" sneered Mrs. Crank cit, with whitening contempt
 So the gossips down in Tom Lysander's native village put their heads together and nodded grimly and forebodingly when they heard he had married Lila Ware.
 The daughter of his employer, he had loved her long and almost hopelessly. One day through the city spread the news like wild6re that Ware & Co.,. had failed. He went straightway to the house, where he had ever been welcome guest.
 She listened silently while he told her the story which had lain so long in his heart unsaid. And when he had spoken, she gave him frankly the love which till then womanly pride had yelled. | He brought her to a home which, though bright and cory, displayed none of the luxury of that which she had kccwS; but she made 1t a home in fact as we'll as in word-the dearest spot in the world to Tom Lysander.
 One evening Lila Lysander came up to where her husband sat wearily think ing.
 Through the open windows came the mer. Below, boys were crying blue vio- lets on the city streets.
 Tom, dear, what is it ?"
 "Can you bear bad news, pet ?"
 can share 1t, Tom."
 "The gun of bad luck was double barrelled to-day, dear. Our salaries were reduced one-third on account of partial failure of the firm, and-I had letter from Aunt Sarah p "Oh, Tom, what does she say?'
 "That she is making arrangements with her lawyer to discontinue the allowance also, to eradicate my n1me from her will. Therev
 "And all this on my accountp wist- fully.
 "Ah, that's where the joy comes in, my darling. l have you-the rest is nothing"
 
 "Work for you, Mrs. Lysander? You surely don't mean it! Why, my dear child you don't know the meaning of'he Lila Lysander, standing before her fathers old lawyer, a slim, childish i ngure, looked up al him with iesoiute eyes.
 But do mean it, MT. Mitchell. Some position which will permit me to be at home in the evening before Tom returns. He is working nights now to make up the decrease in his salary"
 "Come to think of 1t, know a place that would suit you. She's client of my office mate, Hilhouse, boarding at the Revere. Rich, bless you, rich! She wants young girl to stay with her part of the day, while she's in the city-com- panion, guide, that sort of thing, you know. Sit right down here while go and see Hilhoase. Dearl dearp
 He hustled eagerly of, and hustled smilingly back.
 "Hilhouse says it's all right. He is privileged to engage you. A companion "a few hours a day-SIo a week to the right person. That wasn't much to you once, Miss Lila. Not much, was it p
 
 One day, in her luxurious room at the Revere, Mrs. Percival lay ill with fever ish headache.
 Miss Craig, how long have you been with mel"
 Two weeks"
 Do you know I've grown very fond of you in those two weeks, little girl p
 She sat suddenly erect and cast the ] rirh ura1e aei1a Arnrn kM, e%otal., oII figure.
 "I am rich and you are poor. We are both lonely. You have crept into my heart-sadly against my will, I confess, for l had grown very bitter and cynical of late. lfyou come to me you shall be as my daughter"
 Oh, no, no 1 Forgive mel cannot What-what sound is that? A belll Harkr
 "Thatw surprisediy. "That is only the angslus from the French Catholic church. ~
 ~The angelusl" She sprang to her feet in alarm. "Then it is six o'clock. l have outstayed my time. must go." She lit the gas and hurriedly found her wraps.
 The door was flung wide open and man rushed into the room.
 My darling, how you have frightened me ]" he said, crossing to where Lila stood. "I got home early tonight, and forced Ellen to tell me where you-Aunt Sarah l"
 "He wheeled around and clasped the old lady in arms in an impetuous, boyish | fashion. "Well, this is a surprisel How did you and Lila"
 "You know Miss Craigr'
 Miss Craig?" mystfedly.
 Lila came quickly forward.
 did not know she was your aunt, Tom. have never heard you speak of Mrs. Percival by any other name save Aunt Sarah"