The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-01-31

Dear mew exclaimed Mr.. Boxley.
returning the endearment perfunctori-
ly. "What has happened?"
Mrs. BoXley had INDUCED in no such
demonstrations for Il number of weeks,
having been too fully engrossed with
other matters; consequently Mr.. Box
ley had fallen into the habit of EXPECT
ing nothing of the sort. He returned
the kiss in half hearted, chilling way.
because he felt that it was not com.
patible with his dignity to conduct
himself like boy who has come, after
q period of undeserved punishment. in
to favor again.
"What has happened?' he repeated.
"Eighty-two dollars and twenty-five
cents" replied his wife, Withdrawing
her arms from about his neck. He
looked at her with an admiration he
could not repress, and took from his
pocket letter
1T is from Tom Elliott" he said In
explanation, dropping into chair and
drawing her to his side. He is com
lIlG Dtth " SDChu thC anu
says he is so happy that he cannot de-
scribe it. You See dear, some one senr
him one of your books, and it seems to
have dispelled the gloom that has been
upon him since he left here. He Is
quite himself again, he says, the same
man that he was before-before-
you know how Madge treated him. 1t
VAS
Eyes, l know" Mrs. BoXley sighed.
"They were both to blame; but | do
think, dear, that your sister was more
at fault than Tom. After the quarrel
when he had left her, telling her that
if she wished him to come to her again
she should place bouquet of roses In
the landscape window-Madge might
have saved herself and him much sor-
row. 1t all rested with her then. Blu.
she would not give in, and the roses
were not placed in the window, and
poor Tom went away never to return,
and it was more than two years ago,
and-and am so glad! What else
does he say, dear?"
Mr. Boxley slowly unfolded the let
ter. "He says" he replied, that in the
picture-the picture of the house in
your book, heaven bless 1.-THE notices
a bunch of roses They are in the
landscape window. where he told
Madge to place them. He thinks they
mean that he will be welcome-and he
is coming. that is all. But do you
think, dear. that Madge was actuated
by sentiment when she placed them
there, or did it just happen? Will she
will She"
''She WILL" said Mrs. BoXley with
conviction. She has been very miser-
able: she told me so. But, dear, she
has not given in. Tom will come, and
she will think it is he who has taken
the first step toward reconciliation.
They will he married, and then-anf
then they will get over their foolish
ness, hope"
''She has not given in?" Mr.. Box
lcy's eyes opened in amazement.
didn't she place the roses in the win
dow?'
"No, dear" Mrs. Boxley gave utter
ance to nervous little laugh. half a
sob. "Madge was not at home the dag
| took the picture, and-and | placed
the roses in the window myself And
and it was | who sent Tom the book"
Mr.. BoXley whistled. Then he kissed
the artist and looked into her eyes
And to Think" he said, that have
held your camera in ccGtempt for all
these weeks! Consider me. dear, from
henceforth your most humble servitor.
Consider me-er-squelched!'
81 do, love-" said Mrs. BoXley sweetly.
And then she danced away to the
kitchen, while Mr.. BoXley took the baby
upon his lap and mentally commented,
with much satisfaction. upon the re-
semblance borne by the diminutive
chap to his mother.