The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-10-01
TOMS WIFE.
BY K. TEMPLE MOORE.


severely.
"And beauty sneered Mrs. Crankett,
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
wild-fre that Ware & Co. had failed. He
went straightway to the house, where he
had ever been welcome guest. He found
the laughing girl whom he had knwn graver
snd perhaps little laughter than OF old;
g9omsn whom the rst breath of misfortune
had not blasted to dependency or languor,
but rather had strengthened and invigorted
She listened. silently, while he told her the
story which had lain so long in his heart IN
said And when he had spoken, she gave
him frankly the love which till then Wom-
auly pride had yelled.
He brought her to home which, though
bright and coy, held none OF the luxury Of
that which she had known; but she made il
home in fact as well as in word-the dearest
spot in the world to Tom Lyssnder.
One evening Lila Lysander came up to
RleT6 ueT husband sat
Through the open windows came the breeze
laden with promises of the summer. Below,
boys were crying blue violets on the city
streets.
Tom, dear, what is itg'
He started at the sound OF the tender voice
and put his arms around her as she stood be-
side him.
Can you bear bad news, PETE"
81 can share it, Toni"
He laughed at the brave, womanly answer.
The gun of bad luck was double barrelled
to-day, dear. Our salaries were reduced one
third on account Of a partial failure OF the
firm, and-I had letter from Aunt SARAH"
20, Tom What does she sayP'
That she is making arrangements with
her lawyer TO discontinue the allowance
have had ever since l was a boy; also, to
eradicate my name from her will. There"
And all this on my accOunt?' wistfully.
"Ah that's where the Joy comes in, my
darling. have yOu-the rest is nothing"
rs she Tot cruel, TOm?'
Far from it. She is peculiar, Whimsical.
easily p~ejudiced. She used TO love me
dearly; and if her blessed old eyes caught
but one glimpse OF my bonnie bride-come
for walk, dear"
'Workl-for you, Mrs. Lysander? You
surely don't mean it. Why, my dear child,
you don't know the meaning of the word"
Lila Lysander, standing before her fathers
old lawyer, slim, childish figure, looked up
at him with TesOlute eyes.
But / DO mean it, Mr.. Mitchell. Some
position which viii permit me to De at home
in the evening before Tom returns. He is
working nights now, to make up for the de-
crease IN his salary. 1t is terrible to think
he should toll so hard while l am compare
lively idle. You viii help me, Mr.. Mitchell
you must"
Come to think of it, 1 do know a place
that would suit you. She's a client OF my
office-mate, HilhOuse, boarding at the Re-
VeIe-rich, bless you, richi She wants
young girl to stay with her part of the day,
while she's in the citv-companion, guide.
that sort of thing, you know. No one would
ever take you to be married, Miss Lila.
Therel I'm dropping into the old name
myself. Craig-your second name-Lilian
Craig. Capital A harmless deception. Sit
right down here while go and see Hilhouse.
Dear dear"
he hustled eagerly off and hustled smiling
"HiIhouse says it's ali right He is priv
ileged to engage you. A companion-a few
hours day-s10 a week to the right person.
That wasn't much to you once, Miss Lila.
Not much, was it?
There were two $40 bills on the top pan
try shelf. But Tom didn't know it.
''Pll wait till 1t grows q little" Mrs. Lila
said gleefully to herself, ''and then I'll give
him a surprise party"
One day, in her luxurious room at the Re
we're, Mrs. Percival lay i'll with a feverish
headache. Her companion went softly
around the room, dropping the curtains and
stopping the clocks, lest the ticking of these
latter should disturb the invalid. When she
came back to the couch she found two dim
ola eyes fastened on her in kindly scrutiny.
Miss Craig, how long have you been with
me2'
1.-TWO weeks"
do you know have grown very fond of
yon in those two weeks, little girl?"
A thin hand was laid caressingly on Lii
las.
What heavy gold ring you wear-like a
wedding ring! / wish it was. l wish"
She grew dreadfully silent.
The afternoon slipped away. The shadows
gathered. The room was darkened. the
clock stopbed, and Lila did not perceive how
late il was growing.
docs your head ache now?'
mo, but my heart does. Lillian" She sat
suddenly erect and cast the rich wraps aside
from her stately old figure.
| am rich and you are poor. We are
both lor ely. You have crept into my heart
sadly against my will, / must confess, for
] had grown very bitter and cynical of late.
IL yOu come to me, you shall be as my
daughter
oh TO- no, Forgive mel / can mott
What-what sound is that? A bell? Hsrk"
That" surDrisedly. THAT is only the
Angelus from the French Catholic Church. -
The Angelusl" She sprang to her feet in
alarm. Then it is 6 o'clock. have out.
STAYED my time 1 must gop'
She lighted the gas, and hurriedly found
her wraps.
why, my Cinderella What a panic?
Leave me your glass sIipper-Come imp
The door was flung wide and man rushed
into the room.
MY darling how you have frightened
me-" he said, crossing to where Lila stood.
81 got bone early tonight and forced Ellen
to tell me where you-Aunt Sarah"
He wheeled around and clasped the old
lady in his arms in an impetuous boylsh
fashion.
well, this is a surprise. How did you
and Lila'-
"You know Miss Craig?'
Miss Craigm mystifedly.
Lila came quickly forward.
Il did not know she was your aunt, Tom.
] have never heard you speak OF Mrs. Per-
cival by any other name save Aunt Sarah"
Miss Craig, you can not BEL
II am Toms wife," simply.
''You-Tom's wifep
ST am" with quiet pride.
But lie married horrid city girl, who