Holbrook argus., 1901-03-30
! A Perfectly Model Man |
BY Ella Higginson.
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES easGtaa'
NHE lay there alone in the dark.


The house, whose every chair and cur
lain seemed to thrill as he passed and
he must be nearer the room in which
she lay asleep-forevernore asleep.
He threw himself upon a couch ins
the hall. He lay on his back with one
arm thrown over his eyes. He was
trembling like an old, old nan-cr like
a dog that lies out in the cold and wet
md hears a fire cracking within the
house.
A fine rain was beating ceaselessly
against the windows and CoCrs. 'rne
climbing rose against the side of the
house moved its arms as the wind bore
down upon it. 1t had not been a month
since she had asked him TO tack it
mere securely, as the autumn winds
were coming OF; and he had replied
that he would do it some other time
he had an engagement now. The en-
gagement had been to 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 ard 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 it again. Until now! Why
on earth should he think of it now?
Was not his anguish deep enough? Why
could he rot remember rather the
things he had done TO make htr
happy-the pleasant home he had given
her, the jewels, the pretty gowns, the
carriaGe-ah, the carriage! His heart
opened ard closed suddenly. The car
rage in which she seemed to take no
pleasure because he never went driv-
ing with her! He had told her that he
was too busy! Good God! his heart
cried out roughly. why need he have
lied TO her? She must have known
then that he was lying to her; surely
she knew it now.
Presently he became aware that two
women had entered an adjoining room.
They drew their chairs to the fire and
sewed and talked. The door leading
into the dark hall was open. 1t seemed
good 10 him-less lonely-that they
should lie there. They spoke in I'M
hushed voices, as if to make it more
cheerful for themselves.
We'll" said one, after they had talked
OF other things, biting thread and
rolling the end between her thumb and
forefrger, "she had everything that
heart could want. He's good man. an
he was mighty good 10 her" She bent
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
n1ng to sew, there amt many men as
CCcd TO a woman's be was. She had u
aice home, all furnished up rice-wy,
that sideboard alone cost $500 if il cost
girl never could see why they call
'em second girls-an' kerriage, an
file jewelry. an dresses. She had L
plenty O spending money besides"
The other woman was silent. Why
did she not speak. He lifted his head
and locked at her. She rocked back
and forth as she sewed. Her eyes were
en- her work. He knew her well-a poor
reighbor to whom his wife had given
much sewing and of whom she lad al
ways been fond. Only few hours be-
fore her death she had spoken to him
of this wom.n. You'll do something
for her sometimes, dearest" she had
a:hispered, even after speech was Gif
fcult thing for her. do little things
fer her and the children-aEd co the Il
dtlicately-so you will not-hurt-
her She had sunk back in his arms
exhausted. and finished the sentence
With smile.
Look at her front door," went or
Mrs. Gregg. "She wanted fine one. an
she got it. She got every blessed thire
she took a notion fer, from a burglar
proof closet for her silverware TO ;
PoPpa Gonteer rosebush. You got tina
seam done, Mis- Medca'f?"
Mrs. Medcalf held up the seam to show
that it lacked several inches of being
finished.
"Oh, you'll soon have it done. It's
pity she amt got any children. He!
be SO much more lonesome, a comm
home at night an not fndin' anyboc.
here"
Then of sudden ne CHER woman
spoke: 81 reckon he won't be any lone
scmer'n she's been all these years
a.settin' here alone, night after night
til! II o'clock
No knife ever sent a more sickenin
pain through heart than those word
sent through the heart of the man VIII
lay there in the dark and heard.
! 'Hum-er-hum," said Mrs. Gregg
. II expect it did get kind of lonesnm
) for her. He-he--that is, 1 guess Ii
did have to stay downtown most of tn
Z time. But he didn't have any bad hal
its-didn't drink or gamble or lock a
other women. He was perfectly mod
81 husband"
,. There was 10 reply to this, and pre-.
= emily Mrs. Gregg continued: 81 never
l. thought she'd up and utter a word c
- complaint agen such husband"
"She never did" said Mrs. Medical
"Never n her life. SO f2r's know. Sh
worshiped the land he walked CT. 70
could SEE that with ha'f an eye. BIZ
eba 1g1 u rrichfV lo1.psoroa 1ifs md,