Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-30
A WOMAN'S HEART.
Copyrighted. 1901. by Short story Company


In miserable hovel that faced an
alley. a woman sat beside a bed, tanning
the fevered brow of a babe that moaned
and tossed. The room was small and din
gy and poorly furnished. but everything
was spotless and neat.
1t was night-a stormy night. Without,
the rain fell dismally; within, light
burned on a broken stand, its glimmer
shaded from the face of the child by a
sheet of paper that was scorched and
yellow.
The woman's eyes were red and swol-
len and her face was furrowed with
anxiety. At intervals she turned her
head as though listening for some sound
without. Then a louder moan from the
child would cause her to bend anxiously,
her face drawn and pale, her bosom heav-
ing.
A clock, somewhere in the darkness.
struck the hour of 2 and she trembled
with a vague fear. She arose ana walked
to a window. A form came through the
darkness-a mans form, running, dodg-
ing into the shadows. He turned In at
the gate. bolted through the door and hur-
riedly closed 1t alter him.
Jack, dear" the woman exclaimed,
placing her hands on his shoulders and
looking into his eyes.
He roughly pushed her aside and cross
ing the room, blew out the light. She fol-
lowed him and touched his elbow.
Jack" she said softly, the baby Is
very sick"
cant help It," he growled. "You ought
to take better care OF him"
"oh, Jack" the woman sobbed u"
"Shut uni"
"But, Jack" she persisted. 1--WE ought
we ought to have a doctor"
"A doctor, he'll! The kids all right.
Now shut up. tell you. don't want any
more blubberin.'
The woman sank into the chair beside
the bed. She placed her hand upon the
ehild's brow and sobhed, while the man
hurriedly undressed and threw himself
upon a bed in an adjoining room. Pres
entity from his measured breathing his
wife knew he was asleep. So she relit the
lamp and resumed her place beside the
child. And the night wore away.
When the sun arose the babys fever
was somewhat less. A brightness stole
into the womans face and she stopped
and softly kissed the childs forehead.
Then she went into the kitchen and,
quietly closing the door behind her, began
preparations for breakfast.
She was worn and weary from her long
nights vigil. So she made slow progress,
and finally her husband staggered into
the room.
''Ain't breakfast ready YETI" he de-
manded.
She glanced at him and tried to smile
mo, jack she replied softly, mot
quite, dear"
''well. why in hell amt it? What makes
you so id slow?"
Dear Jack" she said, ignoring his
harshness, you're out Of humor this
morning, amt your
Don't want no more of your lovey-
dovey talk" he replied. II want some
thin to eat"
The woman's face grew sad. A sigh >es-
capped her, but she said no more, and pres
entity she placed his meal before him. AS
he ate, she stood beside the stove and
watched him. The light of affection crept
into her face and, stealing softly behind
him, she put her arms around his neck
and kissed him on the cheek.
"Oh, go 'way!' he snapped. Don't
bother me-"
She sat in a chair and faced him.
Jack" she said, where were you last
night?"
Now, that's none of your d. business,
he scowled.
''But, Jack" she insisted, I'll You
weren't in any mischief were you, Jack?'
He laid down his knife and fork and
stared at her, his face growing white
with anger. "@- 9 80 = .ie * E.
arm break your d. Jaw IL you don't
keep your CAB sshut,'oche thundered.
The quick tears sprang to her eyes and
she knelt beside his chair and gazed
anxiously into his frowning face. Jack"
she said, appealingly, IT love you, Jack,
and l don't want-I don't want you to
get into no trouble"
The man arose angrily and picked up
his hat. He stood and looked at his wife
a moment, biting his lips in his rage.
Then he suddenly turned and put his
hand on the knob of the door. Instantly
the woman was at his side.
Don't go way mad, Jack" she beg
ged. ct didn't"
He turned sharply and struck her with
his first. and as sheTfell heavily to the
floor, he opened the door and left the
house.
And presently from the adjoining room
came a baby's cry-the cry of the help
less and the fever-stricken. But the one