Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-02-02


every atom II her little body, choked in
her throat now and bufned fiery red IN
h@ cheeks. But she loved this fellow
enough to bear blows from him, and kiss
him after them. "Yoa don't understand,
Leonard, made then Il is surprise
for you. Seppy viii sell them for me.
Only think how much we can make for
you in a yeaol You N the shop and l in
the cellar"
sDon't talk TO me of the shop. You
drive me mad, Winifred. You know how
/ always loatbed'-
"WoFk, dear?" when he could not End
a word
'<No. Sit down. You at least must
understand me- Uncle Ben. who had
been edging bis way, crusch and all, to
the door, noiseless as cat, stopped, hold
ing it open, to wink aud telegraph en-
couragingly to her behind Leonard's
back. sits tantrums, nothin' but tan
tr,Ims." opening and shutting his wide
mouth without sound I'VE men hev
all got 'em at times. Don't you mind,
deary;;" and disappeared, to stump up
and down the boards shaking his heao
gloomily. Winny did not sit down. She
began to gather her poor little figures
into her apron, crumbaing 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 bsoke into uneasy accusations against
himself.
I'm brute" he cried. "But it gals
me to see you degraded. Come here,
child. Think how your beauty is wasted
drudging in this bsck alley"
''Didnt-it make you love me, Leon
ard?" looking up sideways.
'.Yes. But am wasted with pas
sionate outbreak. There is no reason
why should not stand as high as any
Heath that went before me. I am a
gentleman By night of blood and body
and soul. Look at the place they had
in the world. / am traInpled under foot
For WHAT For want Of money-moneyr
Then Winny threw down her plaster
rubbish and went to him. She had a
sudden perception Of toe imminenoe of
the danger The old Leonard was going
from her, from them all, for ever. She
put up her hands on his shoulders
This was no vagary of a moment that
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. No
Heath of them all had your intellect"
His eyes gissened at that, There is
no reason why you should not be re-
spected. And then you have-me,"
dropping her head so 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. sob, I've no doubt
I have all the materials of a good life,
if 1 had money. But without-it is like
that lamp without light in it.
Winny lifted her head quickly. $50
the light is not in it without money!
she said slowly. II 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 now?"
she said gently. after while rapping at
the window for Uncle Ben, 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 off his rusty wig, and
pcising it on his fist, brushed it care
fully ceremony which always with
the old fellow ushered in Al important
act. Il want to say a word to yen, lit
tie GAL" 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,
his throat and beginning with
cheerfulness: We've been
partners good many years, Winny-
since you was up to my knee, about
but think this day week it'll be time to
part company"
She did not answer him by word or
look. Her ewes never left the mans
face, which stood out in relief against
the dark background of the night with
out, as though she read in il WORKS
which made her deaf to all others.
sits borne in on me today, Winny,
that ought to CO." in voice which he
made unnaturally jo-ial. "a man and
his new wife is best alone; third party
is like water spilled on q hot, fresh fined
pair Of shears-it spiles the temper of
'em ever after. Besides, you and Leon
ard is goin' TO hev hard fight for it.
Ny bit of q pension'd De little help"
Without looking at him she pulled his
wrinkled yellow hand under her arm
and held it tight on her breast. Your
pension kept me from the almshouse,
Uncle Ben. No husband can ever come
nesue.aY, mo and Won -