The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-07
ESTHER'S TRIALS
b A. J. ApANs

lm striving 10 do the best ! can.
~Ihats the way you always talk
Esther. You are doing the best you can,
and still the bills run up. The grocer's
bill, this week is nearly double that Of
lest.
~You must remember, George. you
had your friends here to supper for
nearly a week.
What il / had The bin could have
been kept down 10 more reasonable
figures. Icau't stand this much longer,
aud George Winthrop put on his bat
and LEFT the house, slamming the door
behind him.
The disheartened woman he left be-
hind him began 10 weep bitterly. II
was not the irst time her husband had
spoken 10 this way. He wished to APP
pear i good fellow 10 the eyes Of his
friends, but never took into considera
ton the cost Of entertaining them.
When the time came to pay the bills,
however, he would worry over them
aud then abuse his wife.
They had been married a year, the
first few months Of which were very
happy ones for Esther. Now things
had changed. Her life was a round Of
misery aud weeping. She could not
satisfy her husband in any way. Il
was not the bills alone with which
nc found fault. The coffee was either
to weak or too strong: the tea dish
water, aud fhe bread nothing at all
like that his mother used TO make.
George Was a bouk-keeper IN a whole
sale house and received a good salary.
He might live comfortably with his
wife, aud get ahead. financially we're
it not for certain friends in his club
whom he would invite 10 supper in or
der 10 have a game Of whist. Then be
would give little extras. against
which his wife had more than once pro
tested, until size ionnd il useless.
II was late when George returned,
10 find his wife sitting np awaiting has
coming
Eur vet. Esthergv said be. with q
frown. Why in The world didn't you
20 to bedl7
@I- / wanted 10 wait until you came
George. Oh I'm - lonesomel'
-Lcnesomet What makes yon lone
some You don't expect me 20 remain
Al hemc every night 70 talk nonsense
do)ouf'
- do not ask you to stay al home
every night, George, nor should ! ex'
peci il. And II you consider making
home q little pleasant a waste Of time
I'll leave it,
oh. you can 20 any time you wish
fer all / care. replied George, lighting
q cigar and stretching himself on the
llunge
Esiher's eyes flashed as she said
And shall 70. George Winthrop
sooner. perhaps, than you think.
You'll find living with your poor
relatives q little different than you had
it here. my girl; zee il you don't
~If Ned Is not rich. Mr.. Winthrop
be IS honest, and will welcome me Al
any time
Good enoughm replied George
coolly, putting rings Of smoke
toward the ceiling. In that case
you'll not have to walk tlie streets.
Il needn't walk the streets while
have arms % work. Mr.. Winthrop. III
nave you UNDERSTAND
Work la, ha, ha You'll take {,
work IN good shape after a years idle
ness, Mrs. Winthrop.
The words panied her and lhe tears
came airesh 10 her eyes.
George. you'll regret your words
I've been no idief. You know I9'
worked hard to make our home CON
Portable. although You insisted upon
having a hired girl.
Wish had: might have saved mor'
in the end. replied George, vito Z
yawn.
Very well 70 hire her now, Georg,
Winthrop. I'll weary you no longer
lll leave tonight"
-All right Miss Flyup, you can so
the sooner. the better
Esther went 10 her room. packed hel
saichel with a change Of clothing, put
on her hood and cloak, and quietly LEFT
By the back door.
IL was a cold, rainy nihgt in NoYem-
Der. and her umbrella afforded her poai
shelter as she hurried along keeping iu
the side streets as much as possible Az
hours walk brougnt her 70 a quarter q
the city principally built up witt
homes Of the mechanics employed II
the machine shops and iron works O
the vicinity.
Nearing q row of new cottages sh'
kept on until the last one in the ROW
was reached. She saw the ligh
turned down, aud knew her brother
and sister had retired for the night