The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-26
HIS LITTLE CURSE.
BY NORMAN H. CRowELL.

l0 xJOhAAN 6. CESV " Copyright, 1903. by Daily Story Pub. Co.)
 He was cierk--young, gay, sanguine. Her father was the president of the Pas soic Cotton Company. worth a million old. gruff, sordid. She married him thinking herself the gainer in exchanging forever an indulgent father for a loving husband. Her father had told her never to darken his portals again. She wept, but the sunny smile and comforting arm of him dried her tears and she grew con- tent.
 They rented little cottage and for a time thc young wife was as happy as the sunshinef of love >could make her. Her husband. dashing and llght-hearted. was to her the essence of nobility--she greet ed him on his return from the store rapturously. He in his turn was equally 5oyed in the society of his wife. One day she discovered the pressing need of an apron-a paltry trifie. She appealed to him blithely, feeling no pang of conscience at the request to one so manly. so generous, so just. His face coiored when he heard it and his answer was a broken, hesitating one.
 ''I--I haven't the ready cash, sweet, I --need it right off?' he said. She felt pained and looked up at him with wide eyes.
 ''why--have you not that muchg' she inquired.
 Did have.' he unused, regretfuIIy. Played a hand or so last night and things went against me- he said. awk- wardly.
 "A hand?' said she. soberiy.
 ''Yes-cards, you know. Just for fun, of course" was the lame reply.
 "And--my-boy-lost?''
 Exactly. But never mind. It won't happen again and-rll see about the apron" He spoke hurriedly, showing her away from him to sit down behind his evening paper. Sine went slowly into the kitchen and as she stopped to light the fire two bright tears crept into her eyes. The first cloud had dimmed her horizon. Supper was partaken of in silence save for an occasional dismal attempt on his part to appear gay. She never said a word and his heart smote him as he saw the bright red flush in her cheeks.
 I'm dog he told himself. Then he went back to his paper and listened while she attended to the dishes in the lonely little kitchen.
 Next morning the sun came lip bright and beaming A robin. perched on the Eatepost. sang a mery spring song that bade fair to push the load of misery off her heart. Her husband appeared fresh and gay and waved a cheery good-by as he hurried out the gate and off to his work.
 See" he cried. there's a dollar. I've arranged to draw one dollar every day, sweetys and it's going to you to be salted down."
 ''oh. Harry" she exclaimed and she smiled through tears as she threw her arms around his neck.
 The reconciliation was completed and the evening was the pleasantest she had yet experienced. Harold was again her Ideal and she found herself lowering about him anxious to do the little offices of kindness she felt he loved so we'll
 A month passed by and in the rosejar, securely hidden by the fragrant leaves were 80. Harold was true to his word and each day strengthened the band that held the two together. She had par soned his failing, considering it a boyish prank. He had outgrown 1t, she said. Happy indeed was the day, months later. when Harold came home and told her he had made arrangements to pur- chase the little cottage. She clapped her hands and half-smothered him with her kisses. He blushed and struggled iruitlessly to avoid them, disclaiming all credit. Then he explained it to her, she aunctuating it frequently by sundry pqueezes and caresses. He had asked old
 
 mudgeon had demanded $1.oOO. He had lhen offered $SO0-compromised on 800 and had paid down $lOo. giving a mortgage for he balance.
 What is a mortgage. Harry" she ask sd nestling closer.
 ''Mortgage2 Why. that's what they lick you ouB with if you don't pay it." se said. and they laughed at his defini- lion. as two children would.
 "oh. Harry. Tn pay it sure, ''she cried. Ieizing his face between her palms
 There. there. child. how's supper get ling along. I'm hungry as a bear" he said. finally
 She ran out and busied herself at the preparations, while he, feeling proud of everything, settled down behind the pa- per.
 A year passed by. The second was in he midst of it's glory when the joy of the title home was made supreme They tanned him Harold-she insisted upon it tnd he indulgently acquiesced To her Inc world was one of golden dreams and Ingelic music-the prattling of the babe lent thrill through her heart that seem