The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-22

thought. Il shall save ten cents, and
that will pay Nora But think of papa
! walking a mile over such streets as
these in such shoes"' For they lived in
| the suburbs, where rent was less.
The purchases had been made, and
Mrs. Atwood started homeward, tired
! and faint
IF / could only have a hot cup of
coffee now!' she thought, but l don't
even dare to spend nickel. It's going
to rain. too. i believe"
| And rain it did; not gentle shower.
| but 3 terrible, drenching downpour, and
! she had no umbrella. The thin cloak
was soon wet through, and more limp
and bedraggled woman could not have
| been imagined than that poor mother
who staggered in at her own doorway
| at last
Mr.. Atwood had Just completed 4
most splendi d dinner at most splendid
hotel, and was leaning back in his chair
chatting with gentleman friend he
had chanced to meet, and whom he had
invited to join hlm. There had been
champagne. and they were laughing aud
in the best of spirits, when a telephone
message was handed to Mr.. Atwood,
which read as follows:
"Come home! your wife is dying
MARY ATWOOD"
"Ah, what is it, exclaimed the friend,
noticing his companions pallor.
For answer, Mr.. Atwood handed him
the message, snatched his overcoat and
without more ado rushed away.
1t was still raining. but the electric
railway car bore him quickly home
ward.
Silence greeted him as he entered the
hall; but. upon opening the door to his
wife's chamber, his oldest sister met
him. strange look upon her usually
cold face
Mary he gasped, "when did you
come, and what has happened?"
Il came an hour ago, luckily. As for
what has happened, I'll leave yog TO
answer that Look at our wife,
''She isn't dead, IS she? There's color
in her cheeks"
''No, she isn't dead-yet. Look here.
Charlie, do you know what these are?"
and she held up before him bundle of
what appeared to be rags. soaking
wet. Your wife's cloak. dress and
skirts, and these are her shoes. Please
examine them; | don't see how she
kept them on her feet l suppose they
are the kind you provide for her"
But where has she BEEN" gasped
Mr.. Atwood. ito get so wet?'
or IL.
taken the children over TO their house,
about it. and she said that Mrs Atwood
went downtown TO the stores. and that
she walked there and back, and without
an uni brella."
Walked
Eyes. You may understand why;
don't"
just then smothered sob reached
MIR. Atwood, and he discerned a pair Of
chubby legs in darned old stockings.
sticking out from mass Of bed clothes
at the foot OF the bed
It's Johnny. He was so wild with
grief / had not the heart 20 send him
away, and he won't do her any hurt
Sec his feet. and they are soaking wet,
and must be attended to-.
Mr.. Atwood flushed hotIy at the
sight of those toeless shoes.
''She went 10 get him pair this
morning. But why don't you send for /
q doctor?7
He has been here and gone; every
thing has been done that can be This 4
is the bundle your wife brought home 4
with her. These are her winter shoes. I
suppose, and you can see how suitable 4
they are; the price marked on them Is 4
one dollar and ten cents
Mary" began Mr.. Atwood, plain
lively.
You asked me- what rad happened /
YOU sec J am trying n and out. and 4
think ! shall before get through. ,
want yOu - see something else IN this
bundle This roll Of coarse red flannel
no doubt Is for petticosts for the LITTLE
girls; but what do Jon suppose this Is
fo~7~ sternly
Mr. Atwood gazed down upon a small
quantity Of soft white flannel. Il don't
know, ~ said Ae!p!ess.y-
Thank God ] n~ver married. c-i1d
his sister earnestly 7 might not have
known myself. IL tae doctor h~dn't in
tinate1 that that scas what made the
case 50 critical Fl
Mr Atwood und~-x:nod now. and
went 70 tb> bed ard kreelea down.
Mabel Ee sad. brokeniy. Ok. NJ
wife