The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-12-28

to act, and she backed the resolution
by hard work.
She was often late to dinner, . fact
that called forth wondering looks from
Mother Alien. But the simple word.
Detained by business" spoken In her |
frank and honest way, shut OF all com
ment John was duly anxious that his |
wife keep what his mother called proper |
hours even though she worked at an UNI
conventional calling. The mother had
had her say, and, In truth. her words
formed that last straw In Annals bur-
dens already limited at.
After the first two or three lapses on
the part of the young wife Mother Allen
had said to her son:
"This staying out after g o'clock 10 not
only unreasonable; 1t Is positively scan
daous. l would not permit a daughter
living in my home to do so, yet my sons
wife does so, and she lives in my home,
John Allen" A
But mother, it has only been once or
twice, and, besides her work il not like
business or Office duties. that start and
\ stop by the clock"
Don't tell me, young man. In my day
well, in my day women never went on
in that fashion. never"
| or course Anna had heard of this col
loquy, but it. only made her more deter
mined to turn over new leaf in the fam
lily history.
New Years week came, and Annals
anxiety was. almost unbeara BILE. 1t was
| her first secret from which she had ex-
cluded her husband during their few hap
py years of married life. She lodged
about in mortal fear of discovery. ,
| The day before New Years Anna left
her mother in-law's home feeling that she
could not enter it again burdened with
| her secret.
| "He must know today" she kept say
ing to herself. At last she added: And
he shall know. for this Is the New Years
eve. l can't wait until tomorrow"
After dinner she asked Johns company
for a walk to look at the shops. He read
lily consented. The pair chatted on COM
monplaces until they came to the corner
of High street.
+ f"Now, John" said she, I'VE are close
to those cozy apartments which have just
been opened up. Let me show you one
that have set my heart on for a future
day" tarrr VI t.s.n.rt ~
John Allen slackened his pace as II
about to protest. Suddenly he said:
I "Well, dear. since it's New Years, l
don't mind. or course that step is a long
way off for u.s."
Here we are" exclaimed Anna after
they. had gone a few PAGES from the ave-
nue. and stood before q row of new fats.
wait until l get a key from the jan
itor, and III let you in at the front door. 7"
She disappeared down the steps TO the
i janitor's Office. and few moments later
the door swung open. She led the way
miring the neat and roomy halls a second
door flew open. electric lights flashed out.
and he mechanically moved into the par
Tor and on through the six room suit.
newly aud completely furnished.
Anna allowed him to look without in
terrupting. hoping that when lost In ad-
miration he would the more easily fall In
with her plan. but he only showed a Gym
ical interest which was exasperating.
Losing her self control she blurted out:
For heavens sake, John, say some
thingr' N
81 was just thinking how l should like
the comfortable salary of a FIRST class
bank clerk and his leisure to enjoy this
with you"
You don't have to be a bank sponge to
live here. One of our editors is here,
and there is school principal or two,
all beginners in their professions"
But they have incomes"
/ "And haven't we?
Eyes. such as they are. Mine goes into
nest egg for future extension of bust
ness. and yours-well. you know what II
is aud that journalism il very uncer-
tain business at best"
1900
. the cost of this, and for q time. while we
must economize, we can let the front
, room to a congenial couple. For the 9th
err half surely you can supply the table.
, John"
, "Rent rooms, my dearP with the
crushing .frankness of a man In touch
with markets. why, there are Rooms
, to Let signs on about every house in
, these quarters of the town. Rooms are
begging for tenants"
Anna Aliens confidence deserted her
with q thud. The inde6uabe something
, which characterfzes the new woman" on
! projects bent lay houndering in a strange
! sea- She sank into her chair, her head
upon her bosom. her hands dropped In
|, sympathy
n never thought of that. John, or
would not have taken the dat," she
walled.
Taken it," shrieked John like mar
who had been bunkoed out OF his lnst
dollar. Anna Allen, you don't mean te