Smyrna times., 1895-06-26
A Close Call.
BY e. LOUISE LIDDELL.

BY e. LOUISE LIDDELL.
Pretty young Mrs. Carpenter-she
was always spoken of as young" to
distinguish her from her husbands
mother, who lived next door-stood
watching her husband until he turned
the corner and was out of sight.
But he never once looked back. In
fact, they had just quarreled, and that
was why her eyes were brighter than
used to say reminded him of blush
rOses-were scarlet instead of pink.
Such foolish thing to quarrel about
tOO-a little innOcent-lOOking pat of
butter but then it was strong; that
is, John said it was. Whereat Mrs.
Carpenter helped herself generously
and said it was good enough for her,
and she couldn't afford to paw fortv
cents a pound for butter when she
could get good tor thirty.
Then John inquired If he didn't give
her money enough to pay her grocery
bill, and said il wasn't good enough for
him; perhaps she had been accustomed
to eating such stuff-he actually went
to the extent of calling it stuff and l
can't begin to tell you all the foolish
things that those two hot-tempered
young people, who loved each other
dearly, said. 1t ended finally in Johns
ilinging himself away from the table,
without tasting the lemon pie, his
faVorite dessert, which the tired little
hOusekeeper, remembering his fondness
for, had taken time to concOct in the
midst of all her picking and preserv-
ing.
John began to get together his fish
lines, flies and other traps, which he
wanted to take away, tor he and six
other young men were having a half
holiday, and had engaged the boat
Bonnie Belle for an afternoons fishing
on Great Lake.
He worked hard, this young fellow
as foreman in factory, and half-day's
recreation in the pure air was a rare
event with him But, somehow, he did
not enjoy the prospect very much after
that war OF words at the dinner table.
He wished he hadn't spoken as he did
Ii May would only come help him
but she kept herself aloof while he was
ECAAtAE ANah tHlt udtl luAtuuttl 10
slip some lemons and sugar into the
basket; pail OF lemonade would be
50 refreshing, imbibed in the shady
glen, after the row across the lake. But
now, if he wanted lemons, he could
help himself, she thought, after the
way he had talked
He was long time getting ready
and she wondered, as he tumbled with
the lines and hooks, if he really would
go of without kissing her. Her anger
would have melted in moment at the
first pacific sigh from him; but she
would nOt'beg for kiss, no!
He started for the door. She had q
great mind 10 follow him there, bul
pride kept her back. He was outside
the door now; she FASTENED after him
IF he looks round I'll let him see thai
Pm ready to make up" she thought
But he dad not; and 50 Mrs Carpenter
went back TO the little dining room
and began to clear the table, feeling
herself a much injured wife, and rather
glad, on the whole, that she hadn'l
given in.
But gradually better feelings pre-
vailed; scarlet checks faded back to
pink again, and temper-brigh
eyes became dim with tears.
She watched the clock anxiously
How slowly the hours passed Two
three, four, five O'Clock. In an houi
he will be here" she said to herself
jOyOusly, and she hustled round to pre-
pare an extra nice supper. She even
went to the corner grocery for a pounC
of the tOrty-cent butter.
Six o'clock came, but no John. Half
past six-seven. She was walking the
floor in her unrest, and now went Ou
and stood at the gate. She could SCI
knots of people talking excitedly alonI
the street. A freckledv boy run.
ming by stopped.
Dyer hear bout the axident? Tht
Bonnie Belle struck by squall anC
seven men drowned"
whats that ?" asked a feeble ole
man, coming out of the next house
who says my bows drowned? Why
he can swim There amt enough
water in Great Lake to drown JohI
Carpenter ~
The wind blew his scanty locks owe
his wrinkled old face; his faded blu,
eyes wandered piteOusly round anC
finally rested on Johns wife.
Don't you believe it," said he
tremulously, patting her arm with hi
uncertain, shaking hand.
But, apparently she did not hea
him. Drowned Her JOhn-and sh
let him go to his death without kiss
The freckled-faced boy looked at he
uneasily, digging his bare toes into tn
ground.
81 didn't know as Mr.. Carpenter wa
alOng," said he, apOlOgetically, forget
ting, for the moment, his own import
ance as the bearer OF news, in view G
her silent misery.
Some one took hold of the wife an
led her into the house. She grope
her way like blind person. The,
said she had better lie down on tn
lounge awhile, and she obeyed. Sh
could not see anything now.
II am dying" she thought, and wa
happy in thinking so,
Then she floated away into darkness
on and on, for long time apparentl,
Finally she saw light, and Openin
her eyes saw-yes. it was-John
Was she indeed in the other wOrlC
and was John waiting for herP Sh
spoke his name.
shes coming to; she knows me.
said the familiar voice.
But how far off It sounded And 8
did her own voice when she spoke.
where am ?" she asked family.
Here, dear, in the dining-room,
said John again.
He was on the floor beside tn
lounge, his face close to hers. The
lips met in a long kiss.
John, "she said ,solemply,I though
we were both ia another world.n
Il did have pretty close call, - sal
he, "and II was hard work bringin
you back"
'The others" she asked tearfully.
"Will and are the only ones left {
the seven," he replied with sob.
"Oh, John II might have bee
you !" she cried, throwing her arm
round his neck
Just then a feeble old man who wa
sitting close to his son, said fondly. /
tremulous tones:
Il knew there wasn't water enouq
In Great Lake to drown my Johnr"
M