The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1902-02-22

sanguine moments, to make no more
than SO from the venture-the price
she had paid SO guiltily for her camera.
But the figures showed-and she gasp
ed bit when the columns were added
that precisely siXty-nine books had
been disposed of and that she had sud
denly become possessed of tie stu
pendous sum of SS2.25 of which $40
was profit. Her conscience paSSed at
that moment into the calmest and most
delightful slumber. She kissed the
baby rapturously. and. Mr.. BoXley ar
irving home at that instant. she kissed
him also and scattered tears of joy
adown his shirt front
Dear me-" exclaimed Mr. BoXley.
returning the endearment perfunctori
ly. What has happcned:"
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 Il half hearted, chilling way,
because he felt that it was hot com
patible with his dignity to conduct
himself like a boy who has co:ne, after
Il period of undeserved Punishment, ia
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" Lc said in
explanation, dropping into a chair and
drawing her to his side. He is com
Ing back to spend the holidays, and he
says he is so happy that he cannot de
scribe ii. You see, dear. some one sent
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 lie was before-bcfCrc-
you know how Madge treated him. 1t
WaS''-
Yes. | know" Mrs. Boyley sighed.
"They We're both to blame; but | DC
think, dear that your sister V As 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 a bouquet of roses in
the landscape windOw-Madge might
have saved herself and him much sOr.
row. 1t al. rested with her then. But
she would not give III, and the roses
We're not placed in the window, and
poor Tom went away never to return
and it was more than two years ago
and-and l am 50 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 it,-he notices
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 actuateC
by sentiment when she placed them
there. or did it just happen? viii 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 be married, and then-anf
then they will get over their foolish.
ness, hope"
she has not given in:" Mr.. Box,
ley'S eyes opened in amazement
Didn't she place the roses i'll the win.
dow
NO. dear" Mrs. BoXley gave utter.
ance to nervous little laugh, half
sob. "Madge was not at home the day
| took the picture, and-and | placed
the roses in the window myself. And
and it was who sent Tom the book"
Mr. BoNley whistled. Then he kissed
the artist and looked into her eyes.
.And to think" he said, that | have
held your camera in contempt for al
these weeks. Consider me, dear, from
henceforth your most humble seryitor
Consider me-er-sQuelched"
Il 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.
His Fest.