Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-12-10


dolly Penwoman." The editor was
were held In strict confidence.
IL have particular reason for wishing
to sec 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 be went to Mrs. Kitchcll and got a
full description of the member. He was
more excited than ever after that. He
dashed off Personal and had il 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 go in or out.
The day before Thanksgiving he went
up again to tho sanctum of the editor,
intending to coax, bride or force him
into telling tho address of Dolly Pen
woman. As he stood moment in the
lower Office lady walked out. He had
full Wow Of her, himself in shadow. II
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 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 a bas-
ket of roses sent to No. IA - 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 u stranger and walked out.
He rallied as he walked along the
street Surely she was not utterly es-
tranged. He FASTENED to overtake her,
then fell back. He would wait till even
ing and call ut No. IA - street.
lie 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. 81 am 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 a
reception room. Was he to be again
baffied? 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
took step towards her as she entered.
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-
Spouse to his appeal. They stood thus
full minute without speaking. Frank
felt desperate.
Louise" he burst out, ~ was an
egotistic idiot. You cannot despise me
moro 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. | 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."
Hc colored and bit his lip.
II have paid dearly for that miserable
speech" he said Il have been hungry
enough since for tho love failed to APP
preciate. Louise, be magnanimous.
Forgive me. Come home to my heart.
Your presence in my rooms lately left a
benediction behind, though was una
ware of your identity. felt ="
Do not think | went there intention
ally" she interrupted quickly. when
l saw your portrait on the wall knew
into whose rooms | had Numbered. l
was in no danger of seeing you. l
needed the money for my work, so l re-
manned. 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 L could not starve. / wrote it in a
dag. and n might readily as IL. 1T had
been dictated to me. Ii seems to have
taken wonderfully"
Frank listened, sorely humblcd in his
own eyes. Was this proud, self-reliunt.
noble woman the one whose love he had
esteemed so lightly? Had his contempt
Bile speech driven her to encounter want
and privation rather than accept a home
at the hands of one who undervalucd her
affection? She had put his exact words
as she overheard them into the mouth of
the hero of the story. He felt despica-
BILE.
1t is no wonder you hate me" he
said modify.
1T is not hatred, but Indifference"
she returned quietly.
May | try to conquer it," he asked,
Frightening up.
II 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 n hurry.
''lfit atfordsyo 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
purpose to live for.
Thoy went out into the crisp November
air. People were hurrying home with
late marketing for Thanksgiving. Hap
Ply family groups showed between parted
window draperies.
won't you come again to the roosls
where you got tho inspiration for you