The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-03-14

WueEe m ManLGQs ana no ublle girl
to run about in the snow looking for
me"
Connie looked up at him over her
papa's shoulder. ''Ain't you got--no-
body at alI?"
Nobody at all, Connie. Here, letme
see if the coats too long for you"
Her papa rose and gathered up the
trailing black shawl. ''Run on home
baby" he said, wrapping it tight about
her. Run on now, just as fast as you
can, and tell mamma I'm coming fight
away-=sOon as. I get through talking
to this gentleman on business
Norton took something out Of his
pocket, stopped, and transferred the
something TO Comics hand, whisper
ing to her, and she, after one puzzled
stare, disappeared up the street. He
looked after her moment, and then,
turning away with a chuckle, said:
you must have been clean off your
head. partner. And you tried to make
out was. 1 wish you'd tell me what
the trouble is. But, anyhow, I know
now you hadn't half my excuse for
wanting to jump into the river"
'Fhinlz so, Ell? How would you like
it if you worked hard for ten years,
and then had to see your things all
sold out-horse and wagon and every
thing -and your wife saying you're
no kind of use"
That's enough" Norton interrupt
ed. It's only money with you. By the
way, what's your name? McCorkle?
All right, McCorkle. just want to tell
you that you don't know when you're
wen off, Come on, McCorkle; I'm 60
ing to put off that swim with the ice
cakes until tomorrow night Ugh!
1t surely is a good deal more comfort
able with this coat on. Hope / didn't
seriously hurt your arms just now"
The. two late combatants began to
plod together through the snow in the
roadway. Now, see here, McCorkle,
I'm putting off my plunge just for one
thing-just to write a check,to your
order. You agree to take that check
and use it? You won't? All right,
then. Good night" He turned back
and began to unbutton his coat again.
McCorkle was really doubtful about
the suicidal intention of this top-hat-
ted man who had-interfered with his
own impulse in that direction. He
had TO acknowledge himseIfconquered
on this line, too, for the sake of his
own peace of conscienee, and haping
had sufieient proof of his inabil .3 10
save the other man by physical force.
Besides, he longed, to be back with
his wife and Connie. So he solelnnly
promised to accept the check and CON
sented to show Norton the little tene-
ment just around the corner on the
avenue that was his home. And so
Norton had the good fortune to meet
Mrs. McCorltle.
Norton was young in years, and still
younger in general experience. Much
of his life had been spent on a western
cattle range, in region where Mrs.
McCOrlle's sex was scantiIy, and not
favorably represented. Pondering the
situation revealed by Comics sob
bing message, and by the scene at
which he assisted in the McCorkIe
home, he began to think that a wom-
ans word needs much interpreting and
patient study. And that other person
was of Mrs. -McCorkle's sex, though
in unlike circumstances. Upon which
Norton resolved to wait for the inter
probation of events.
The following note reached him at
his hotel next morning:
"Dear Jack: If YOU had not gone OiT
in a huff You would have learned be-
fore N ow that DIR. Brereton, who
seemed to be the cause of your out
rageous behavior, is going to be my
step-papa. 1t was not for me to tell
you, but mamma says 1 may-noyv.
She would have told you herself, if
you had come up and had a cup Of tea
with her. You may thank her for this
note; l would never have written it.
l could have shaken you! He thought
your tantrums so funny!"-N. Y.
Times.