Evening journal., 1899-01-28
A Perfectly Model Man
BY Ella Higginson.
;lisSaas'aiaI'lSs
CHE lay there alone in the dark.

y II was near midnight When the
lights had been dimmed throughout
the house. and stiffness had settled
upon everything. he had arisen in uu-
oearable suffering and gone softly
down stairs. II was her last night In
The house. whose every chair and cur
min seemed 10 thrill as he passed. and
he must be nearer the room In which
She lay asleep-forevermore asleep.
He threw himself upon couch In
the halt lie lay on his back with one
arm thrown over his eyes. He was
trembling like an old, old manor ike
a dog that lies out in the cold and wet
aud hears a Ere cracking within the
house.
A fine rain was beating eeaselessly |
against the windows and doors. The |
climbing rose against the side OF the
house moved its arms as the wind bore
down upon 10. II had not been q month /
since she had asked him 10 tack it
more securely. as the autumn winds
we're coming on; and he had replied
that he would do it some other time
be had an engagement now. The en-
gagement had been 10 play billiards
with a man for whom he 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. He 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 he had not
thought of II again. Until nowl Why
on earth should he think of II now?
Was not his anguish deep enough? Why
could be not remember rather the
things be 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
| opened and closed suddenly. The car
iiage IN which she seemed 10 take no
pleasure because he never went driv-
ing with her! lie had told her that he
was too busy! Good Godl his heart
cried out roughly. why need he have
5 lied TO her? She must have known
then that he was lying 10 her; surely
she knew il now.
r Presently he became aware that two
- women had entered an adjoining room.
Z They drew their chairs 10 the fire and
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 If 10 make it more
' cheerful for themselves.
Well" said one, after they had talked
Of other things. biting a thread and
rolling the end between her thumb and
5 forefnger. she had everything that
y heart could want. He's good man. an
! he was mighty good TO her" She ben
toward the lamp 10 thread her needle
d Her eyelids hickered close together
Tiny wrinkles ran around her eyes.
The other woman was silent.
"Yes," continued Mrs. Gregg, begin
= ming 70 sew, there amt many men al
good to a woman's he was. She had {
e nice home, all furnished up nice-w'y y
- that sideboard alone cost $500 If it eos
cent? She had a cook an a secou'
GIRL never could see why they cal
y 'em second girls-an' a kerrisge. an
- fire iewelry. an dresses. She had
: plenty O spending money besides"
o ne OklEL N1Anan was AAANAA+ " -
did she not speak. He lifted his heal
- and looked at her. She rocked bacl
- and forth as she sewed. Her eyes wer
:. on her work. He knew her well-a poo
n neighbor to whom his wife had givei
!, mach sewing and of whom she had al
= WAYS been fond. Only a few hours be
20 fore her death she had spoken TO hin
10 of this woman. you'll do something
=. for her sometimes. dearest" she ha'
4 whispered. even after speech was a dill
% ficult thing for her. "Do little thing
- for her and the children-and do then
dehcately--so you will not-hurt-
,s her" She had sunk back in his arms
- exhausted. and finished the sentenc
n. with a smile.
re Look at her front door," went ol
a. Mrs. Gregg. 'She wanted fine one, an
p she got It. She got every blessed thin
n she took a notion for. from burglar
lv proof closet for her silverware 10
,e Poppa Gonteer rosebush. You got tha
IS seam done. Mis- Medca'f?"
Mt Mrs. Medcalf held up the seam 10 sho'
r, that It lacked several inches Of bein
no finished.
Of "Oh, you'll soon have IT done. lts
ut pity she amt got any children. He
tn be so much more lonesome. acomir
IN home at night an not fndin' anybod
here"
ad Then OF a sudden the other woma
d.. spoke; Il reckon be won't be any lon'
m somer'n she's been all these year
at a.settin' here alone, night after nigh
n. iil II o'clock"
No knife ever sent more siekenin
pain through heart than those wore
sent through the heart Of the man wh
ne lay there 10 the dark aud heard.
ne "Hum-er-hum." said Mrs. Greg
- - expect it did get kind of loneson
y, for her. He-he-that is. guess
os did have 10 stay downtown most of Il
~ time. But be didn't have any bad ha
H its-didnt drink or gamble OF look
"a other women. lie was perfectly mo-
- ell husband"
49, There was no reply TO this, and pre-