Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-24
WAS he bad husband. then. in the old

WAS he bad husband. then, in the old
days?"
Mrs. Treveddoe. If hard, was honest. She
put down her zinc pail and the shovel, and
planted her hands on her hips.
No said she. somewhat defiantly, "he
wasn't not to say what you call bad hus-
band But he didn't suit me; we didn't get
on"
$50 you wouldn't let him come back
when he asked yer to-"
mo. He wanted to get hold of YOU he
was fond of you, always bringing you toys
and things. expensive toys that was waste
Of money. And he did beg for me to bring
you to see him. But l wouldn't go; l was
afraid of the faint"
The young man moved restlessly.
Mother you are hard!'
II daresay. I've had a hard time of It.
Now. who was 1t told you? John Mercer,
did you say?"
A frown darkened Nigeis face.
AYE"
you've been Quarrelng with him,
s'pose, along of that girl of Rede's Come,
/ know 1t was that; you've half owned to
fore you get the cold shoulder from her
more'n you have yet? Why don't you hold
your head up like man. instead of follow
ing a lass about as If you was her slave?
No good'n come of it. I've always told you
So"
Mother. you don't understand. 1t isn't a
matter of choice. I love her so as can t
hardly see when she comes near me for the
blood that goes swimming to my head like
as If it would burst. l can live happy for
days on one of the sweet looks she gives
me sometimes: the touch Of her fingers is
more than meat and drink to me. That's
foolishness you'll say. Well, / don't say
1t isn't But / can't no more help 1t than
I can help drawing breath. It's growed up
with me. that feeling what 1 have for her,
| and it'll die with me, whatever comes
Of itr'
well, it's easy to see what will come of
the girl and Mercer. too" said Mrs. Treved-
doe, almost iercely. For. of course,
she'll marry him. AS if a girl like that.
with her kid gloves and her fal-lals, would
look twice at a poor chap like you. when
there's another man after her as well-to-do
as Mercer! You must be crazed, lad, to
think of it!''
"She's none the worse, mother for wear
ing pretty Clothes" asserted Nigel, stoutly;
"she doesn't wear ragged f1nery, like what
Nan Philpot does, and her shoes down at
the heel
AYE, but Nan Philpots the right sort for
such as yOu and Rede's girl isn't Don't
talk to me about your Beauties" assever-
ated Mrs. Treveddoe, with the acerbity of
the woman who has always been plain.
Give me a woman who's not too good for
her husband. and that'lf think more of his
comfort than of her own Sunday hat"
"Piety'll make a better wife than Nan
Pmlpot. whoever she marries." said Nigel.
Will SohSicuoH- LIS small compliment
to Piety to name her in the same breath
with such slattern."
Mrs. Treveddoe took up her pail impa-
tiently.
well. you'd best seek some other trade
than the one you've got If you mean to
marry fine lady," she snapped out con-
temptuously. Miss Rede's feather boas
and fiummery'll never come out of a poor
fsherman's wages"
And she left him abruptly and went on
her way with pail and shovel to the coal
shed.
Nigel was in a state Of unrest, excitement
and despair. In which his mothers we'll
intentioned lack Of sympathy grated upon
him acutely. Having Obtained the terrible
information he wanted. therefore, he went
away. without another word to her. and