Evening journal., 1899-03-18
A Perfectly Model Man
OaF lov ,here alone IN ,be dork
By Ella Higginson.
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upon everything. he had arisen in un-
bearable suffering and gone softly
down stairs. IL was her last night in
the house. whose every chair and cur
tam seemed 10 thrill as he passed. and
he must be nearer the room in which
she lay asleep-forevermore asleep.
He threw himself upon q couch in
the hall. He lay on his back with one
arm thrown over his eyes. He was
trembling like an old. old manor like
dog that lies out in the cold and wet
and hears a Ere cracking within the
house.
4 fine rain was beating ceaselessly
against the windows and doors. rhe
climbing rose against the side OF the
house moved its arms as the wind bore
down upon it. II had not been Il month
since she had asked him 10 tack It
more securely. as the autumn winds
were coming on; and he had replied
that he would do Il some other time
be had an engagement now. The en-
gagement had been 10 play billiards
with a man for whom be cared moth.
ing. She was standing on the steps in
her pale blue gown. with lacks and bits
Of leather and long-handled hammer
/ in her hands. lie recalled the cloud OF
| disappointment that had drifted sud
denly across her face. The following
morning he had observed that the vine
was tackled in place, and be had not
though, OF II again. Until nowl why
on earth should he think OF IL now?
Was not his anguish deep enough? Why
could he not remember rather the
things he had done 10 make her
happy-the pleasant home he had given
her. the Jewels. the pretty gowns. the
carriage-ah, the carriage! His heart
ope ned and closed suddenly. The car
riare IN which she seemed 10 take no
pleasure because he never went driv-
ing with herl lie had told her that he
was TOO busy. Good God. his heart
cried out roughly. why need he have
lied 10 her? She must have known
then that be was lying TO her; surely
she knew 1t now.
Presently he became aware that two
women had entered an adjoining room
They drew their chairs 10 the fire anc
sewed and talked. The door leading
into the dark hall was open. II seemed
good TO him--less lonely-that they
should be there. They spoke in un
hushed voices. as II 10 make 1t more
cheerful for themselves.
Well" said one. after uhey bad talke,
Of other things. biting thread ant
rolling the end between her thumb ant
forefinger. "she had everything tha
hear. could want. He's good man. an
he was mighty good TO her," She ben
toward the lamp to thread her needle
Her eyelids flickered close together
Tiny wrinkles ran around her eyes.
The other woman was silent
"Yes," continued Mrs. Gregg, begin
ning 70 sew, there amt many men a
good 10 woman's he was. She had
nice home, all furnished up nice-w'y y
that sideboard alone cost 5000 II IL cos
q cent? She had a cook an a secon
GIRL never could see why they cal
em second girls-sn' kerriage, m
fire jewelry. an dresses. She had
plenty O. spending money besides"
The other woman was silent. VIII
!. did she not speak. He lifted his hea
and looked at her. She rocked bac
and forth as she sewed. Her eyes wer
on her work. He knew her well-a poo
neighbor to whom his wife had give
n much sewing and of whom she had a
4 WAYS been fond. Only few hours be
h fore her death she had spoken 10 hiT
n of this woman. You'll do somethin
I for her sometimes, dearest she ha
d whispered. even after speech was di
d fcult thing for her. "Do little thing
q for her and the children-and DO theI
@ delcately-so you will not-hurt-
y her" She had sunk back In his arms
Il exhausted. and finished the sentenc
T. with a smile.
j. Look at her front door," went o
e Mrs. Gregg. "She wanted a fine one, al
II she got IT. She got every blessed thin
II she took a notion for, from a burgla
IS proof closet for her silverware 20
" Poppa Gonteer rosebush. You got thl
IS seam done. Mis- Medca'f2"
10 Mrs. Medcalf held up the seam to sho
IS that il lacked several inches of bein
C t;rished.
is "oh, you'll soon have it done. It's
pity she amt got any children. He
d. be so much more lonesome, comil
e home at night an not fndin' anybod
c. here"
g Then Of a sudden the other woma
g spoke: u reckon he won't be any lon
ut somer'u she's been all these year
O. a.settin' here alone, night after nigh
~ till II o'clock"
is No knife ever sent more sickenir
p pain through a heart than those wore
o. sent through the heart of the man wi
d. lay there in the dark and heard.
II "Hum-er-hum." said Mrs. Greg
le II expect It did get kind of loneson
le for her. He-he-that is. guess
did have to stay downtown most Of Il
le time. But he didn't have any bad ha
% its-didn't drink or gamble or look
10 other women. He was perfectly mo
~ ell husband"
~ There was no reply to this, and pre-
~ ~ entity Mrs. Gregg continued; "Inever
- thought she'd up and utter g word
= complaint agen such husband"