Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-07-14

self this question before. 1t was time
it was asked. How SuprcmCly selfish
he had been. He had never recognized
the fact until now. lie passed his hand
w"arily over his forehead. lie wasn't
well. lie had the blues. He needed
strong brncrr. He went to thu side
board and poured out Il half tumblCr-
full of whisky in the little glass. He
picked it up Then he pushed it back.
1t seemed cowardly. Why should he
be afraid of his thoughts? He rcmcm-
bcrod, too. how rrproachfully she al
ways looked at him when he drank.
He knew it was a temptation that he
ought to avoid. And yet her reproach-
full glanccS never stopped him. He
would laugh at her and drink in spir-
1t of bravado.
He went back to the big chair in the
library. What confoundcd disagree
able companions Il mans thoughts
were! They came uninvitcd and they
didn't have the grace to leave when
they found they were not welcome.
Did Nellie ever sit and think? She had
plenty of time for it. Much M q time
had been looking back? Did-did she
regret?
a great many people had admired
Nellie. All the mon who knew of his
domestic affairs considered him very
lucky man. lie took their compliments
as matter of course. He felt COM
placcntly that this was complimentary
to his good taste and his admirable
home discipline. Fool.
There was one man in particular, his
friend. whom he had reason to believe
had loved Nellie and would have made
her his wife. He was Il fine fellow.
popular man. and he was worth good
deal of money. He would have made
life easier. perhaps happier. for her
He contraStcd himself with this man.
Was there any possible balance in his
favor? And yet Nellie had preferred
him. Was it love or was it piuuc?
Did the occasional sight of this old adj
mirer ever arouse regret?
He got up slowly and looked at the
clock He had been doing and dream
ing for he knew not how long. 1t was
past midnight. He would 80 to bed.
She certainly wasn't coming home. Be
sides, she had her key.
lie turned off the gas and went up
the stairs slowly and wcarily. He
felt old When he reached their room.
he did not light the gas. He knew
that almost every object in the apart
ment would remind him of her.
When he was in bed, he stretched his
arm slowly and tendrrly across the va
cant place beside him and fell asleep.
He awolic with Il subtle odOr in his
nostrils. faint. yet pnngcnt-a delicious
Odor. He sat mp quickly. 1t was broad
daylight, with the sun pouring through
the window. over which he had forgot
ten to draw the shade. He looked
about. No, Nellie hadn't come home.
"John, John. YOU lazy boy! It's 8
o'clock, and the coffee is getting cold.'
Was that her voice or was he dream
ing? Can you dream the odor of cof-
fee? He dressed in wild hurry and
then added the finishing touches more
slowly.
She was at the foot of the stairs, her
face beaming, her eyes sparkling.
"Hcllo. Johnnie" she cried.
"Hcllo," he answered and stopped to
meet her kiss.
Miss me-"
"YcS, a little"
"That's right. Where did you get
your dinncr?'
"Dinncr?'
"You great goose, don't believe you
had any. Did you miss me as much as
that? But you'll enjoy your breakfast
all the more. OF course you got my
nOtc?"
John started slightly.
"Of course
"Why. what's this by the bookcase?
Here's the note now. \ puff of wind
must have blown it from the table
where you dropped it. There. there;
sit down. You'n find your butterfly
wife hasn't forgotten how to cook.
HOw's the coffee"
"Eirst class" answered John, with
great gulp.
'"Thank you. dear. You see, Mabel
sent for me in such a hurry just had
time to scribblc that note and jump in
the carriage. And, oh, John, they've
got the sweetest little girl baby there
you ever saw! And, John, do you
know, Mabel wouldn't let me out of
her sight for IL moment; just clung to
me and didn't want anybody else to
come near her; kept me holding tight
to her hand for hours and hours. 1t
touched me deeply, John. | never
dreamed Mabel cared so much for me-"
He looked up. Her bright eyes were
full of tears.
"Can you blame herr" he asked, with
a lame attempt at jocularity. Then he
added. Been up all nightY
YES" she answered. Il couldn't get
away until Mabel fell asleep. But
hope don't show my late hours as you
do, John. You look quite bleary."
AS lie went down the street to the
car little later he felt quite rs blcary
as he looked. He had passed hard
night and he hadn't the marvellous re-
cuperative powers of his wife. He was
irritable and angry at himself.
"ConfOund that puff Of wind" he
said.-Clevcland Plain Dealer.
All "a MiatnIe