The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-11-07

DOWN.
expenses Of his family had largely
fallen upon relatives. She had never
told her husband any particulars of
the affair, and, as he had become so
Indifferent to her needs of late, was too
proud to ask him for money. Yet she
saved eagerly her own little store de-
nying herself almost every luxury;
even reading the old books again, that
she might have something to send her
people.
For an instant, as she stood by the
roses, she had felt the sharp money
sting-the' longing to transmute their
color and fragrance to the metal at
whose call they had come: and above
all she felt resentment that he should
be carelessly gratifying his tastes and
lfancies without stint, while she was
making every penny render full service
and account. A W s.a
There's no comfort to be taken with
books that have board covers she
thought. ~ like to have them soft and
pliable. bending to my touch II,
On her way through the han, as she
DASSeu dkA ORCA Q0Olt StAC saw AGEtHuSSa
bands coat lying on a chair back. She
hesitated a minute, then went DELHI
eratelv to it, found a pocket-book in
one of the interior pockets, opened it,
took out a bank-note, and replaced the
pocket-book. She pressed the cool
palms Of her hands against he- cheeks
as she proceeded down the hall. for
there was spot on each that burned
~. - tee IT, -.
stolen? No, moi
What was his property was in way
her own Had he not committed him
self to some absurd promise that he
would her wskk al his. goods. endows
Should she AAfM u beg for what ought
to be giveA hsr freely? He would not
miss 1t, os pf-ARps would think that
he had loHt II somewhere. And IL he
did learn ans did despise her for 1t,
what would 1t matter?
she went on to her own sanctuary,
the old nursery where the toys still lay
as Daisy had left them. curled into her
nook Ia the window among the stocks
OF paper covered books of all sorts and
conditions. and tried to lose her MEM
Dry Of the present in the plot OF the
newest novel.
Mr.. Frensham finished his breakfast
at leisure. and, after lettering about
the library for a few minutes, went to
his room to get ready for the, city, AS
he was putting on his coat his hand
struck the pocket book, and, obeying
an Impulse. he took 1t out and counted
the money.
Twenty dollars short again" he
thought. What does she mean by II?
What can. she want money for? Why
doesn't she ask me for it,"
left the house with an emphatic clos
ing Of the front door.
What can be the matter?" he asked
himself again and again in the train.
"I'd have staked wife on her honor.
and here she's taking by stealth what
she knows /, would not refuse her If
she asked me-"
The memory, of the mornings incl
dent followed him all day. rs she
developing mild kleptomaniaT' he
asked himself, as he stood at the win
dow watching the restless street. He
turned and seated himself again. irri-
tated and perplexed. IF any one would
give me the formula for woman's na-
ture-the species / have at home-I
would make It worth his while" va
He sat a long time drumming idly
upon the table. IL have always tried
to do the best" Had he? He won
dered If he could not have been more
patient at the close of those weeks
during which he had gone day after
day to her darkened room to speak a
word of comfort, always to be met
with the stified. moaning cry, please
go away"
Perhaps he had not understood how
sick and weary she had been. but he
he'd thought such. conduct as that not
the outcome of true sorrow, but OF
morbid acknowledgements; and one morn
lrg he had left her. after the same use
less attempt at kindness, thinking he
would never put his foot upon that
threshold again till she should come to
ask him.
IT was years since then, but he had
kept that silent promise.
AS he closed the office for the day,
he smiled. remembering a plan that
had suggested itself as means of de-
Tending Hin purse. A photographers
sign reminded him of 1t again when he
was going down the street. and he
paused.
What if I do IT." ne thought. TT
would tease her little, perhaps. for
taking such liberties with my proper
ty"
He went into the photographers and
found the proprietor himself.
Going to sit for your picture, Mr..
Frensham?" asked the photographer.
mo. i've done with such vanities."
was the reply. II haven't cared for
my picture since 1t began to look gray.
But I'd like to buy a photo, IL youll
sell me one. I'd like a pretty woman's
prettiest one you have
and young"
The photographer rummaged in his
case, and. at length. laughing rather
ia 40 threw out faded