Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-07-12

piled, with painful hesitation.
Fifty dollars! ! am not made OF
money!" be exclaimed, even while his
faithful consciente reminded him that
he had paid more than that sum .or a
club dinner, the week before, and
paid il with II willing smile. Here,
this must do. T" and he counted four five
dollar bills into her hand.
With one startled, indignant glance,
| the wife's hand shut convulsively over
the money, and she left the room
hastily.
"She will make that do" muttered
| her husband, uneasily, watching her.
Next time | will give her more, and
really think ! will call at Blankton's
and order one Of those new silks sent
up"
The silk came, and Nellie smiled
bitterly, rs she laid il in the darkest
corner of her bureau drawer. Charlie
! rejoiccd in new clothes and real "boy's
| boots baby wore new, soft, warm
| fannels, Gretchen was pail. but there
was nothing left TO replenish the moth
er's wardrobe.
Alas, il seemed as il it was never to
need il.
One evening Ray Huntington return
ed TO find his well-ordered house In
confusion. Baby had cried herself TO
sleep, and WAS still sobbing pitifully.
while Charlie was crying softly by the
chamber door, where Gretchen was
vainly trying to quiet the fever-strick-
en- wife and mother.
"Oh. papa, WW my boo'ful mamma
die? Say, papa. will she die?" walled
Charlie, creeping timidly TO his fathers
said
Gretchen looked up hopefully as he
entered.
II will do it in a moment, Ray"
cried Nellie, with crimson cheeks and
strangely bright eyes. IL only stop
ped to rest for moment my-my
head feels so queely, but will get your
tea at once"
Lie still, dearest" he said, more
gently than he had spoken for many
months. Gretchen, take this note TO
DIR. Davis, and call as you come back
to ask Mrs. Hall if she will run in few
moments
DR.. Davis came, gray-haired an,
who had read many of this worlds les
sons Alright
"Overwork, my dear sir System
completely run down. | have noticed
III. NO lltlD Dll lIldu raw DNtuc
willing enough but not capable, sir.
Men don't know the value OF good
wives until they lose them" said the
old man, bluntly.
You don't think -she-my wife
Nellie vii not die - cried the startled
lawyer.
perhaps not--hope not. But she is
worked down. and the worst of it Is,
Iaha ,triI h.aK. u,ad
trouble with her through her delirium-
What il that about partnership,
Huntngton?I have heard you de-
fine marriage, often enough. How
have you used this partner of yours?
Have you shared the profits honest
ly? Ia like to have You compare ac-
counts, you will have time enough be-
fore your wife gets up again. | sup
pose she has mother Send for her
at once. Yes, yes, III be round in the
morning, but more depends upon
loving care than upon me; mind | said
iOCiH0 care. Good night sir.
In the weary, almost hopeless time
of anxious waiting. Ray Huntington
learned "a new meaning OF his favorite
creed. In hordelirium Nellie told him
many things which she would never
have mentioned in her rational mo-
ments.
At last there came q day when the
little cottage was as silent as death;
when the dread angel lowered on the
threshold. then passed mercifully by;
when human flower blooned but to
perish, and a tiny life went out with its
first glimpse of earth.
YES. she win live" said good Dr..
Davis, suspiciolsly wiping his glass es
with unusual emergency. You have
learned your lesson sier than many
men do. Huntington, for you will have
your wife again. II you love her,
cherish her. That's the word, Chez
isb her, man. Make her happy. She
is your partner in life. She has com
mon sense, suppose! Well, then.
allow her her share OF the profits.
Never let her be ashamed OF her hus
bands meanne-s. am a blunt old
man. sir, but ] mean we'll | have
seen so much OF this One-sided partner
ship business among married people.
that | have no patience left. Your wife
has just as much right to her share OF
your income "a You have TO yours. hope
you're not offended. but I'm glad I've
had the courage to give you something
TO think about Keep up the tOriHg
rare, Huntington, and your wife will
be around in month";
That mouth was one OF pleasure and
sorrow 10 the repentant husband, but
he resolved upon a new course OF ac-
ton, and as they sat at The table on
New Years eve, he said, tenderly: 1T
was kind OF the mother TO leave us -
begin the New Year together, Nellie;
it shall be the beginning of a new life
for us. Henceforth my partner is an
equal with myself. The household is
your branch of the business, | will see
that you have sufficient funds TO cover
all the expenses in creditable way
My wife shall never again fell ashamed
because OF my stinginess
1T was never that" Nellie pro-
tested. Loyalty.
perhaps YOU were not sensible OF
it, but the feeling was there just the
same replied her husband. firmly.
1T shall never happen again. To-
morrow the firm of Huntington ~ Vito
begins anew. and on "a different basis.