Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-03-08
THE BATTLE OF LIFE.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

They were Just lighting the long rows
of lamps down the side streets that bit
ter New Years night when L came
home-orange dots of fame againat a
gray and frozen twilight. But the keen
wind might have been a May zephyr,
the specks of gas might have been yell
low banks of dafodils, as far as the
thermometer of my own heart went. I
could have danced and sung out of the
fullness of my Joy; for had got place
at last.
Miles knew nothing of it. Miles,
dear fellow, had gone solidly and stead
lily along his way, never dreaming of
the project IN my head. His salary had
been reduced; he had been obliged to
sacrifice ali his savings to pay the debts
OF that scampish elder brother who ran
away to Japan after having betrayed
his employers confidence, and I had
secretly made up my mind to help him
if I possibly could.
1--WE can board cheaper than we can
keep house," thought ]. II will sell
bric-a-brac that came to me as wedding
presents, and I'll get something to do.
A woman's brains and fingers are worth
something in this age of the world"
But it was not SO easy to get some
thing to do" as 1 soon discovered.
Nevertheless, after much searching and
many weary days l found book pub
Usher who wanted some translations
done at his place of business. He was
willing to pay a fair price, but of course
I could not be a housekeeper and
daily worker at the same time.
We'll give up housekeeping" I
thought Il am sure Miles will never
object to that. And 1 can add so much
to our income. Oh, I'm glad worked
so hard on German when was a girl
at boarding school,"
could hardly wait for Miles to come
home that night, so anxious was to i'm
part my precious secret to his sympa-
thetic ears. OF all nights in the year,
why should he he so late on this partic-
ular one?"
At last he came. 1 could hear his
step upon the stairs, hating slightly as
he sometimes did, when he was very
tired.
Poor Miles!" I thought; "oh, poor
boy! BuG he shall learn, at last, what
it is to have a wife who is a real help
meet"
When he came in, to my surprise, he
carried little wicker rocking-c in
one hand
"Oh, Miles!" cried, what is that?"
"A rocking-chair, Hannah; don't you
see?"
Where did you get it?"
Il bought it, TO be sure"
But, Miles, We didn't need it" 1
urged, somewhat ungraciously. ave
have plenty of rockers already"
None just like this"
mo, perhaps not, but, Miles-oh,
Miles, 1 have so much to tell you'll I
have such plan!"
And Ipoured out my whole story into
his astonished ears. He heard me,
without a word of interruption-then
whistled low and long.
But our home, Hannah what is to
become of that?"
Il can earn fifteen dollars a week,
Miles, and we can get comfortable board
on that-and all your salary can go to-
wards dress, and the interest on the life
insurance, and"
He shrugged his shoulders.
Il had enough of boarding houses be-
fore we were married" said he. why.
Puss, wouldn't give up this bright,
cosy little dwelling place of ours for
anything"
My lips quivered; a choking sensa-
ton filled my throat Was Miles like
all other men? Did he want to bind
me down to this everlasting wheel of
domestic drudgery?
And besides" he added, nodding at
the little wicker rocking chair, Il
brought that home especially for Aunt
Vashtii She is coming to live with US"
Aunt Vashti!"
At the same moment there was
knocking at the outside door. Miles
sprang up to open it. There on the
very threshold was neat little horse
air trunk, with the initials ~V. v" in
brass headed nails, at one end. Close
behind it stood q small woman in
Quaker gown and bonnet, and the neat
est of sewing silk shswls.
%Thee is Hannah, 1 presumed" said
she. Il am thy husbands Aunt Vashti
Voorhees,"
And in five minutes she was rocking
in the wicker chair, with the cat in her
lap, while 1, with tear-bedimmed ewes,
bestirred myself to get some tea for her.
Aunt Vashti voorhees,, indeedl Here
was another of these family vampires,
who, between them, had nearly ruined
poor Miles. Here she was, resolutel7