The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-12-27

his lips confidentially and whispered
we've got chicken and some nuts"
Bring in the lamp. Kate" said
Halverson hoarsely, struggling up from
the clinging child. "I've got to dress
and CO."
Supper is nearly ready" she said.
.You'liIeat with us, won't you? 1t
isn't often we have you nowadays.
George"
T've got to CO." he repeated.
She brought in a lamp as he drew on
his shoes and fastened his suspenders.
He strobe to the little mirror in the
cheap pine dresser and lathered his
face before it in silence. The boy
looked on in interested silence as he
began to shave himself. The woman
sat upon the bed and regarded him
wistfully, but in silence also.
The odor of stewing foods came from
the other rooms. The man nodded his
head significantly toward the open
door as his razor paused. --.
"The neighbors must have sent some
thing in," he said, with a bitter sneer,
.'or was it the county agent? What's
all this talk about Santa Claus any
way? Have you been mocking your
own child again? Aren't things bad
enough without that"
His tone was harsh, and the woman
smiled pathetically. She answered
gently: '....~.
"a mother doesn't mock her baby.
Georgie will have all he has been led
to expect tomorrow anyway. And It's
the New Year. George, dear'-she rose
and came to him, putting her hand on
his shoulder-"it' the New Year, full
of hope, If not of promise. Can't we
be brave together? You always have
said you wanted. only a chance; that
something must turn up. Perhaps 1t
will when the New Year comes"
He shook the hand away. and the
razor cut his cheek. .....
"You must have had windfal," he
snarled as he stanched the wound.
"You talk like you might be an heiress.
It wasn't the neighbors, then"
eThere was no windfall." she answer
ed slowly. II was only trying to hold
on for your sake and-and his. / had
ring, you know"
Her voice faltered, and he wheeled
sharply, looking into her face. She
held up her bare left hand and smiled
into his eyes bravely for one fitting
moment. Then she flung herself prone
upon the bed, shaking with convul-
sive sobs. The child ran to her and,
burying his face in her skirtsi cried
too.
Halverson made haste to finish dress
ing. AS he hurried into his ulster his
wife rose quickly and staid him with q
gesture.
"You won't stay"
81 can't" he muttered surlily. Il
have an engagement"
you'll be back tonight"
"Where else could go?" he answer
ed, but his eyes eyaded hers.
George" she said pleadingly, ITO
morrow will be New Years. There Is
something l wish you would bring me
home tonight for New Years gift
will your His wife clung to him as
she spoke, both arms around his neck.
"What is IT." he asked. His throat
was full Of husks, but his manner
softened The boy crept to him and
wrapped him tight. ".'...-
"a new man, George" she said bro
kenly.
He kissed her, stopped and kissed the
boy and went out without word.
Halverson walked with uncertain,
hesitating steps eastward in the dim
bystreet to Clark. Empty cars were
running southwark. 1t was 6 o'clock.
The sky was clearing, and the night
promised fair. Along the great artery
Of the North Side, smooth in Its new
dress Of asphalt, the brilliant electric
light shone in farfetching lanes, a
milky way fallen to gross earth. As
the bell Of an approaching train her
aided it's coming he felt mechanically
In his pockets for fare. There. was
nothing. Struggling closer into his col
lar, he started riverward, walking
more briskly now. He was shivering,
although well clad, and within block
he entered saloon. The barkeeper
was alone. .......
II guess you'll have to let me have
one on credit till next time, Dick" said
Halverson, with affected briskness.
TITS pretty sharp outside, old man.
on the shelf, please" ...
The barkeeper looked at him. curious
ly as he poured out glassful of whis-
ky and drank it eagerly.
"You look like ghost, sure enough"
his host commented as Halverson set
down the glass. What have you been
doing to yourself, my sonT
A roistering party Of young men
burst through the doorway before
Halverson could answer. He knew
them all, and they greeted him effu-
sively.
"We're out for sport tonight, Geor-
gle, my lad. Come along and see the
old year out. Be good fellow" cried
one. slapping his back with Jealous
energy.
Halverson laughed. "I'm broke to-
night, Charley" he said airily, as If 1t
were joke he could not but relish.
"That makes no difference" returned
Charley bofsterously. 1--WE got enough
for both Of us. Just drew a months
pay, you know. Come on"
What did it matter? Since he was
going to end it all, was going to make
his escape, was going to shuttle off his
responsibilities this night before ever