The Portland daily press., 1894-05-31

employer. 81 will tell my husband in due
time" she added, rather mysteriously the
clerk thought
With her brain on fire Mrs. Walker re-
traced her steps. She had no desire for
| luncheon now. Food would have choked
her How was she to save her husband
| and win his love back to it's allegiance?
| She had little really to complain of. Dick
| had never been demonstrative man-she
| had not expected him to act the lover al
ways-but she fancied he had been even
shade more quiet of late, and while she
had credited it to his study of plans for
his work she now felt convinced his mind
had been dwelling upon this interloper 4.
''How could Dick have SO forgotten him,
self as to take her to lunch?'' thought Mrs
Walker wrathfully. II she had known
Just where to have looked for them, she
would have faced them at once, and Dick
at least would have had decency enough
to own his error, but she had not thought
to ask the clerk any questions, and it was
too late to return.
She had no plan of action; her brain
whirled, and she wondered if all deceived
wives felt as she did. No wonder women
committed suicide in their despair. What
was life worth to her without Dicks love?
And yet why did he want Tom Ingals to
see the girl if she had really infatuated
him? Mrs. Walker knew men were not
given to introducing their ''fancies" to
their wife's friends, and certainly Tom
would not approve.
But she could not be so sure of that Ell
ther. Tom 1ngals was as likely to change
as Dick! If she couldn't trust Dick, she
would not trust any one.
Pride and anger lent her strength, and
when Dick Walker reached home that
evening his wife bore small trace of the
tempest raging within her.
''What time did you have lunch, Dick?"
she asked, hoping he would answer hon
estly.
"Oh, the usual time!' he responded care
lessly.
Her hopes fled. He was STOPPING to de-
nberate deceit about such a small matter.
IT went out little early, though" he
continued, and she listened breathlessly.
Her faith need not die then utterly. my
typewriter needed new ribbon''-mer-
ciful heavens, buying the girl gewgaws,
and he had the audacity to tell her of It'll
land didn't know just how to put one
on, so I took it over to Russell and had
him adjust it,"
''It, Sit" and not Cher 'sYour-
your typewriter" How small she felt to
try to gain information in this way.
Eyes, my typewriter! Didn't tell you
about it? found good one over at Jim
Russell's at a bargain. Not quite new,
but good enough for newly, you must
have heard me tell Tom of it last night.
I've been learning to operate it. Come
down to lunch tomorrow, and I II show you
some of my dexterity!"
Had the sky fallen or lightning struck
the house, or what was the matter, for
Mrs. Walker had literally fallen upon his
neck, and a burst of tears was shaking her
slight frame with heavy sobs?
'sWhy, Beth!'' exclaimed Dick, astonish-
ed, 'swhat is it?" But Beth's arms only
pressed him convulsively closer, closer,
while Beths kisses rained upon his face as
they had not in years.
Of course she told him all the misery
she had undergone in the past "a hours,
and he was brute enough to laugh at the
recital till finally Beth caught the infec-
ton and joined him.
She went to lunch with him the next
day and admired his purchase, but she
privately admonished him of the wisdom
of letting her know in a more lucid way,
after this, about his plans. Whenever a
cloud settled upon Mrs. Walkers brow in
after days, or she seemed slightly worried
in looks or manner, Dick would give her a
quizzical glance, along with peacemak-
ing kiss, as he'd inquire, "Another type
writer Beth?' and Mrs. Walkers cloud
was lifted as by magic.
Tom Ingals heard the story under prom
Use of eternal secrecy. "'Twas too good to
keep" said Dick, and while Tom laughed
| at the mistake he nodded his head sagely
as he said:
'But you or I never would have confess
ed it had we been in Beth's place, Dick.
We would have kept mum and never adj
mitted our suspicious. Women are too
honest sometimes for their own comfort.
She couldn't even be content to keep her
| doubts to herself. She must confess to you
and receive forgiveness for wronging you
| in her thoughts innocently. She's a good
wife, Dick!''
And Dick agreed with him.-Shirley
| Sinclair in Minneapolis Tribune.