The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-29


he left off reading his story to her
Even when she asked him how 1t was
coming on he only answered, ooh, very
We'll" and sometimes he did not answer
her at all. And after a while he aban-
doned the afternoon walk and worked on
until dinner was ready and his wife came
to lead him down to the table. Some
times, on these occasions, he would
spring up at the sound of her voice and
kiss her affecticnately, then again he
would grip his pen tighter and refuse to
have dinner. One evening when she came
to his den, as usual, she found his door
locked.
All that day she had been feeling blue
Everything had gone wrong and she felt
as though something awful was going to
happen. But she had often felt that
way before, for 1t was only one of her
moods. Now she would go to him and
be 1comforted, and soothed and caressed,
Tor he had not seen her since early
| morning, and he must kiss her as he
used to do when she was sad. He must
give her more of his time and leave
his green ink and his tobacco can alone.
she would tell him, and perhaps she had
better shed few tears on his neck, and
then he would draw her closer and tell
her how sorry he was. Yes, he had
been cruel even neglectful, and he must
find the door locked! 1t was too much.
She ratified the knob and listened. bur
only. the scratching Of his tireless pen
reached her ears. She called his name
but he worked on. A hot flush-was it
indignation, or pride, or anguish-passed
over her; then she lay down by his
door.
For long time she lay there listening,
waiting. and then the door opened and
he, pipe in mouth, sauntered out and
passed her without a word. Something
like hiss escaped her lips and she
sprang up, but sank back again, and
the hot tears came fast
The sound OF the piano recalled her to
herself He was playing; and he never
played except When he had plot to
work out, or was worried over some
trlhe. She had noticed early In her
married life that her husband was much
given to worrying over trihes The
great problems never tortured him.
1t was wild melody that he was draw
ing out Of the piano now, and. though
she recognized few bars Of Chopin now
ana then, she could not follow the notes
Presently he ceased abruptly, and when
she heard his footsteps upon the stairs
again, she ran to her own chamber and
locked the door She threw herself across
the bed and sobbed until she felt much
better
At the breakfast table the next morning
ne looked trtfie worn, but he was in a
most happy frame of mind. She tried to
be natural.
MY heroine is the most rebellious
creature that have ever conceived" he
said, smiling over his coffee
l suppose you never have trouble with
your heroes, replied his wife sharply,
emphasizing the noun
Il have heard Of unwilling heroes, but
IAlne nave always been the most ObHging
fellows"
oh, Of course, it's always the women!
You see, he continued without notio-
Ing the Interruption IF my heroine does
not marry the man whom 1 created for
her early in the second chapter the whole
story $40 is worthless. But. by CAD! she shall
write her into the nOtiOniT
We'll hardly think she ever shall"
said his wife, nonchalantly.
After breakfast. contrary to his usual
custom, he drove out for two hours And
after luncheon he took a long stroll bv
himself and returned to dinner so fresh
ana handsome that his wife almost re-
den that afternoon. She could not eat
now, but he WAS 50 hungry that he aid
not notice her ill-concealed attempts
When at last he mad finished and arose 70
go to the library for long smoke she
followed behind. Her heart pounded so
hard that she held her hand over 1t, for
she feared he should hear it.
I'll finish this pipe and then go IN
ana write the conclusion, he said slow
ly, between his puffs.
I thought you were only half through
dear: Her voice trembled q little
"Oh, no. I've been running IL a1one
rather fast lately. Only the conclusion
you know
He smoked on, Thoroughly eniovine
that exquisite intoxicatIon that foIio1yss
good creative work. She watched him for
moment, then she went to his cabinet
ana brought out one of his tobacco cans.
1t was filed with the black ashes Of MANI
sheets of paper.
There is no need Of a conclusion" she
began, coming toward him.
Why, Of course there Is, dearest. and
very often it IS the conclusion that is
the most vital"
But it's all herer' she broke out hvs-
terically. Cant you understand"
Not at all, peti what's all there?"
on, your manuscript! Your storyi
burned it leaf by leaf this afternoon
when you were awayl'
You burned-my story? All those
nights Of labor7 Every leaf?"
II could bear 1t no longerP' she moan
ed. You had forgotten mel You did not
see me yesterday. and you worked ON
all through the night. cried at your
door, for 1t was locked against me-
'fas nothing to you'll Your story was
everything. But it is ashes now.I
She sank upon her hands and knees
The box fell from her grasp and the
ashes scattered themselves on the floor.
He arose and staggered q few steps.
then stopped and looked down at his
wife.
'.Kill me outrightr she pleaded. DO
anythingl"
"And I thought 1t was only bad
dream" he murmured Then he fitted
her up, for he understood.