Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-01-14

awl-holing and pulling of threads was
mysterious to him, and the feverish
rapidity with which il was done an
cured to him q certain nervousness in
the worker. At last he spoke to her
for the shoemaker was a woman.
''You have certainly become expert
at your trade, Mrs. Webster. Your
husband never made better shoes. BY
the way, have you heard from him
lately?'
The woman flashed pair OF great
black eyes at him angriy. She did
not answer for half minute. When
she did, there was world OF sup
pressed feeling behind her calm
words.
81 haven't heard from him since he
went away. That's three years.
believe he is alive--but he knows bet
ter than to let me hear"
"I-always thought your husband
meant well" he hurried TO say.
Have you had letter from him2"
she demanded, fercely.
"No."
shOukht hhhNDt uc NNuttu W COIlle
back and had sent you to prepare the
way for him. That would DO John
/. Webster--he hasn't the courage of a
mouse. / treated him well. was a
good wife to him. just because debts
were pressing, and | was sick, and
there were four little ones-and the
youngest was only three months old
his courage gave out. He left a letter.
He said he couldn't endure il any
longer. Oh, he couldn'tl And how
was 1 to endure it, I'd like to know?
sick, only dollar or two in the
house, not friend to turn to except
the neighbors. tell you, Mr.. Mac
kenzie, L never can forgive him
neverw
The woman choked and had to wipe
her eyes with her hard. blackened
hand, but presently she fell to peg
ging again more passionately than
ever. Just then blue-eyed little girl
appeared, carrying a tray of supper.
'Give me your handkerchief, Trot-
ty," said the shoemaker. "There-
set down my supper. I'll ca il pretty
soon. Now You put the children to
bed. This pair Of shoes is promised
for tonight"
The little seven year-old maiden
ran of obediently.
'Tm afraid I've hindercd you,"
apologized the minister.
"No," she said, gently. "I've
worked right along. Maybe pouring
it out has done me good. can't
talk TO the neighbors. I just work.
The best thing John ever did was to
teach me his trade when we were
first married -and I've always helped !
him off and on. He said | had a
knack at it--but we didn't think / |
should have to support the family |
with it sometimes. Maybe he went
of to give me chance" she added,
bitterly.
perhaps he was not so much to
blame as you think the minister
began after pause, encouraged by |
her manner TO continue. He"
"Now, Mr.. Mackenzie" she burst
forth, angrily, you said something
like this to me when he first went of.
/ know you always liked him, and he
wasn'tn bad man in some ways-buthe
has shamed me and my children, he
has brought my pride down cruelty"
the strong thread snapped like wisp
IN her fingers rs she pulled it fiercely,
land never wish to hear his name
again.
Tears coursed slowly down her pale,
handsome cheeks and dropped on the
last in her lap.
"But you had said something to him"
he began again.
'Not much. l may have been
sharp with him, now and then-but
who could blame me? 1t was no ex.
cuse for him"
John Webster had built little shop
for himself, several rods from the
house. so that the noise Of his ham.
mering would not disturb his wife and
the babies. In this quiet retreat the
could now talk without
being overheard. She stopped sud-
denly, however, as she saw dark
eyed boy OF nine or ten pausing beside
The half-open door and looking some
what alarmed at the vigor of her tone.
The minister spoke to him kindly.
''He looks like you, he remarked to
The mother, she and the second boy
but Trotty and the baby look like
your husband. F"
at wish they didn't" she muttered
almost viciously.
swell, I'm glad you are getting on
10 comfortably" he sighed, rising to
20.
"Thank you," she said, with an air
II logged pride. "Six months ago /
,aid the last debt John left me. This
,air Of shoes will bring me in enough I
q keep us for DAYS. / have work