The Newtown bee., 1896-12-18
The Home Circle. Tom, the Riggcr.
 FROM THE INUErENDLNT. CONTINUED FROM FACE ONE.

and Mary. What meant those red e ,s that greeted him next day? Why shOu}c his wife cry? Resentment did not over master him, but 1t made him mlsCrabie Suddenly Tom became jealous. NhLl were Sam and Mary doing while he WAS Ont Could 1t be possible that his wife could look at another man? Ihest thoughts gradually took shape in Tom. heart. But he was too proud to ques tiOn his wife: he dared not question his lOdger, and 1t never occurred to him UL surprise the couple before his hour Ol return was at hand.
 At the breakfasts Sam Purse, huge slOuching, atG with his head bent to hi. food, or ne ran hIs eyes restlessly around the room and out of the window. By chance when they rested on Mary they would dance and dilatU, or when they passed Tom by they dropped with i'm pertinent humility. Tom was quick t. question each with suspicious glance sometimes, as he felt himself played upon or duped by his mate, his hand would nsCiOusly seek for his mar lin-spikc; but the mutual secret of the "AurOra' wound about his tongue like spun-yarn. AS the days went by his animOsiCy against Sam Purse grew upon him like an ever-nCreasing sou westerly until he himself realized that the results of years of honorable struggle might be shattered at any moment; and As ht trembled upon the crest of hate he knew not whether he included Mary or not.
 It was the night of the Legion, and Tom made what might be called ob nOxiOus preparations. He shaved and dressed himself aggressivelY. He wa In frighJful humOr, and every motion that MarU unnA0 tyaF nA iVVN hav rrj his slipping self-cOntrOI. It had occurred to him that evening that Mary might love Sam Purse. This maddened him. It was new thought, born in his spleen, and nursed by his growing imagination. Then 1t angered him that he had not yet shown Sam the door. He could now hear the man striking matches In the kitchen and futtering the Evening Hurri- cane.
 Don't go tonight, Tomn 1t was with great effort that Mary spoke at all. Having broken the silence she nestled up to her husband and tried to put her arms about his neck. 'Please me to- night, Tom, dear; don't go, and stay with me-"
 Toms face that within the last few days had been tied up in a square knot, tried to relax but could not; it was drawn too hard.
 "Youll have him, " he said, bitterly. ''fe won't be lonely, girl. He'll please morn do."
 We're not yourself, Tom,' she said. 'I'll take my arms down. I thought you loved me. Ye know I'd rather be 8 minute with you then ten years with him. That ain't the trouble; it's"-she stopped.
 What Is it?' he stormed.
 ''If you can't stay"-Mary looked at the ceiling sullenly, while her chin quivered, II can't tell you; there :"
 Tom looked at her long as she violent ly rocked herself. "All right" he said, !, pulling on lis black coat; t'you needn't If you don't want to-" To constrain his wife in anything, never occurred to Tom. ''Let her do as sine wants ter," he said to himself, as he put on his hat. "I.Hl all come out sooner or later"
 "No, thank you" he turned Obstluate- ly t0 Sam, who made ready, as he often did, to walk with Tom to the Lodge. "Stay with her. I'm late. It's nearly eight already. don't want to gab to- night. Dye hearp He passed down. stairs and slammed the door behind him. Sam whistled softly in surprise, and then went to the front window, and between the smoke of his pipe watched hls mate hurry down the street. Mary looked after her husband from her window. She was crying.
 At eleven o'clock Tom came iu. He went straight Go bis room. Mary un- locked the door and let him In. She had been asleep in her rOeking-chair waiting for him. "Leave the entry door unlock. ed,'' said Mary aPurse went out just after you did, and hasn't come back yet.' Then when the door was closed, she flung her arms around Tom's neck and burst Into passion of tears.
 ACome, come, my sweet !" The rigger took her Into hia arms and put her head against his heart, as he had not done for weekBs
 HOh, dear, dearl" cried Mary, be-