Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-11-26
baffied him, now the tables would be


, He went to the Office of the paper ant
, asked the real name and address O.
"Dolly Penwoman." The editor wal
sorry, but the lady's name and addres.
, were held in strict confidence.
} 81 have particular reason for wishing
to see her, said Frank impatiently.
"Some other gentlemen also asked her
address for particular reasons" said the
editor.
, Finding he could get no satisfaction
Frank returned in not the best of humor
: Next he went to Mrs. kitchell and got q
full description of the mender. He was
more excited than ever after that. He
dashed off Personal" and had it in
serted in the paper. He scanned the
face of every woman he met on the street
and hung around the office of the paper
in hopes to see her 90 in or out.
The day before Thanksgiving he went
up again to the sanctum of the editor,
intending to coax, bribe or force him
into telling the address of Dolly PEN
woman. As he stood moment in the
lower office a lady walked out. He had
full view of her, himself in shadow. 1t
was his wife, who had gone out of his life
silently two years ago. She wore long
stylish street garment and walked past
him without turning her head, her face
flushed and smiling.
He tried TO speak her name, but some
unapproachable atmosphere surrounded
her. But he kept her in sight after she
had gained the street.
She rode uptown on a Broadway car,
Frank standing on the drivers platform.
She got out near Twenty third street and
went into florists He followed and
stood at the counter, lingering heap of
carnations idly, while she ordered bas-
ket of roses sent to No. 144 - street.
AS they turned to go their eyes met.
Her glance swept him from head to foot,
making him feel her scornful recognition
of him keenly, although she passed him
as stranger and walked out.
lie rallied as he walked along the
street. Surely she was not utterly es-
tranged. He hastened to overtake her,
then fell back He would wait till even
ing and call at No. 144 - street.
He did so, but she was not to be found
there. His inquiries elected that the
lady he sought for was Miss Middleton,
who had ordered the flowers for sick
friend. liam looking for Mrs. RUSSELL"
was on his tongue, but he checked him
self. Was she likely to be carrying his
name around? Miss Middleton's address?
Yes. 1t was No. 90 - street.
Not without misgivings, he called at
No. 20 - street. and was shown into u
reception room. Was he to be again
batfled? Miss Middleton was in. He
would not risk his own, so he sent her
fictitious name. If he could once see
her alone and talk matters over, he
thought.
The rustic of skirts sounded on the
stairs. He turned from the window and
Her look of surprise died away, leaving
her face pale when she saw who it was
But she met his eyes steadily, with no re-
sponse to his appeal. They stood thus
full minute without speaking. Frank
felt desperate.
Louise" he burst out, 81 was an
egotistic idiot. You cannot despise me
more than | despise myself"
Still she did not speak.
"When | found you had left me | saw
my folly. / missed you unspeakably. L
searched for you everywhere. l had
clue to you last Thanksgiving, thought,
but lost it. | was ready to despair when
the story in the Mercury set me on the
right track"
She spoke then.
"You have really been starved by your
wife into hot pursuit of her."
He colored and bit his lip.
Il have paid dearly for that miserable
speech" he said. al have been hungry
enough since for the love failed to ap-
preciate. Louise, be magnanimous.
Forgive me. Come home to my heart.
Your presence in my rooms lately left
benedicton behind, though l was una
ware of your identity. l felt -"
" Do not think went there intention
ally" she interrupted quickly. "When
| saw your portrait on the wall knew
into whose rooms | had blundered. l
was in no danger of seeing you. l
needed the money for my work, 80 1 re-
mained. Then my first successful story
came to me. | have been struggling all
these months for recognition, working
with hands as well as brain meanwhile,
for | could not starve. l wrote it in a
day and II night, as readily as if it had
been dictated to me. 1t seems to have
taken wonderfully"
Frank listened, sorely humbled in his
own eyes. Was this proud, self-reliant,
noble woman the one whose love he had
esteemed so lightly? Had his contempti-
BILE speech driven her to encounter want
and privation rather than accept home
at the hands of one who undervalued her
affection? She had put his exact words
as she overheard them into the mouth of
the hero of the story, lie felt despica-
BILE.
" 1t is no wonder you hate me-" he
said moodiy.
1t is not hatred, but Indifference"
she returned quietly.
May | try to conquer it?" he asked,
frightening up.
81 have strong doubts of your sue
cess, she rejoined.
'But | may try" he said, feeling that
he was not likely to be "cloyed by her
sweetness" in hurry.
'Ifit affords you any satisfaction" she
said, listlessly.
The tables were turned with ven
geance.
They went out to supper together.
Louise was coldly gracious, Frank alert
and deferential to her slightest wish.
His old ennui had vanished. He had a
purpose to live for.
They went out into the crisp November
mir People were hurrying home with
late marketing for Thanksgiving. Hap
py family groups showed between parted
window draperies.
/