The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-02-22
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COuraglnBly 70 nef Denlnu Leonard r
back. "It's tantrums, nothin' but tan
trums," opening and shutting his wide
mouth without a sound. eve men hey
all got 'em at times. Don't you mind.
deary;" and disappeared, to stump VI
and down the boards shaking his head
gloomily. Winny did not sit down. She
began to gather her poor little figures
into her apron, crumbling them to pieces
as she threw them in. When Leonard
saw how pale was her usually jolly little
face, and how she held back the tears,
he broke into uneasy accusations against
himself.
"I'm a brute" he cried. "But it gall
me to see you degraded. Come here
child. Think how your beauty is wasted
drudging in this back alley"
"Didn't--it make you love me, Leon
ard?' looking up sideways.
Eyes. But am wasted" with pas
sionate outbreak. "There is no reason
why should not stand as high as any
Heath that went before me. / am
gentleman by right of blood and body
and soul. Look at the place they hat
in the world. am trampled under foo;
For what3 For want OF money-moneyi
Then Winny threw down her plaster
rubbish and went to him. She had
sudden perception of the imminence OF
the danger. The old Leonard was going
from her, from them all, for ever. Sh,
put up her hands on his shoulders
This was no vagary Of q moment thai
could so alter this whole outward man
She had no time to sob or cry out She
tried to think Of what strongest words
to say: "You have your trade. Nc
Heath Of them all had your intellect"
His eyes glistened at that. 'There is
no reason why you should not be re.
spected. And then you have--me,'
dropping her head 90 that he could hold
it TO his breast, as he would do If love
was all in all to him, as it was TO the
little woman.
But he did not. "Oh, I've no doubt
have all the materials of a good life,
il had money. But without-it is like
that lamp without a light in it."
Winny lifted her head quickly. $50
the light is not in it without money!"
she said slowly. "I thought But
what she thought she never told. Win
ny had no gift Of tragic expression.
She had said her little word OF remon.
STRANGE, and was done with outcry now
and for ever She went directly to her
work, colder and paler than she had
ever been seen before
"Will you have your supper nowY'
she said gently, after a while rapping at
the window for Uncle Ban, who came
in with vehement glow of cheerfulness
told one or two roaring campaign stories
and forgot to laugh at them himself.
praised the supper, while his dim eyes
wandered piteously from one unanswer-
ing young face to the other The sup
per was over Winny, like most strong
nerved women. usually worked off in
ward fever by hot action Of her body.
In few minutes the room was clean,
the hearth swept, and an armchair, the
leather worn and shiny with old age
pulled up in front of the fire. She stood
beside it and glanced at Leonard. But
he loitered apart by the open door.
The sergeant got up, turned his back
to the fire, took of his rusty wig, and
posing it on his fist, brushed it care.
fully-a ceremony which always with
the old fellow ushered in an important
act. 81 want to say a word 10 you, lit
tie gsl," solemnly, land to you. Leon
ard. It's about this day week-your
weddin' day."
The woman's face glowed with fiery
bushes, but Leonard was silent. She
raised her eyes at that and looked at
him ste adily.
The sergeant pulled her toward him
clearing his throat and beginning with
renewed cheerfulness; We've been
partners a good many years, Winny-
since you was up to my knee, about
but l think this day week it'll be time to
part company"
She did not answer him by word or
look. Her eyes nsver left the mans
face, which stood out in relief against
the dark background Of the night with
out, as though she read in it words
which made her deaf to all others.
cts borne in on me today, Winny,
that ought to CO." in voice which he
made unnaturally jovial. "a man and
his new wife is best alone; third party
is like water spilled on hot, fresh fined
pair of shears-it spiles the temper OF
'em ever after. Besides, you aud Leon
ard is goin' to hev a hard fight for it.
My bit of a pension'd be little help"
Without looking at him she pulled hi
wrinkled yellow hand under her arm
and held it tight on her breast, "YouI
pension kept me from the almshouse
Uncle Ben. No husband can ever come
between me and you"
"It was only the want OF money
thought off, She knew then that he
had overheard some of Leonard
words.
fare you going TO measure out life by
dollarsY she cried. sis money above
love with you allG" The old man wa
silent, knowing the words were mean
for Leonard. But Leonard did moi
speak. She was unjust and bitter, h'
thought, like all women, What IL hl
deferred his marriage for this chance o
a fortuneS It would be but for montl
or year. Or If, to be plain about it, h
did, as she chose TO put it, rate none.
higher than lover He was a practica
man; he knew how he had been worst
ed and trampled on always for want oi
money; he had his chance now. Wa
he to give it up for q woman's kiss
Joe, and Winny, too, no doubt, woul,
call it a damnable thing to rob hundred
of poor men OF their homes on the
strength of a musty parchment. III
was a practical man. He saw things II
q business Light, It was for their SAX
s be did it-not his own.
Ben was strolCing her hair: 81 knoweC
r you'd wish me to stay, Winny. But
= He looked at Heath, who hesitated 1
s moment and then came forward, lean
e ing his hand on a chair back; ''Sergean
o Porter, you'll never leave your niece b
my will. do not forget what she owe
s you. Some day hope to repay he
e great obligations in q way that--tha
D may surprise you, sir" There was
q boyish choke in his voice at the word.
Y ord be sorry If you paid me In an,