The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-12-22
His Fair Old Wife.
A Christmas Story
BY WALTER r. JACKSON

OAANi htlNJ Z bul away
from your old associates, in a sweeter.
purer atmosphere, having ever near YOU
a loyal, loving friend, who would STUDY
your tastes and find a thousand different
ways to interest and amuse you, what
tben?"
He smiles sadly.
Where, madame, could find such a
friend?"
Her queenly figure ways a little to-
ward him.
IN me- she breathes, her low voice
vibrating with a subtle tenderness.
Desmond looks Supplied.
You forget" he says gently, that the
difference OF fifteen or twenty years in
our ages would not shield you from the
sneers Of"
She interrupts him with a supplicating
gesture, her fair old face crimsoning
from brow to chin.
DON'T" she mur nurs, and then adds
quickly: DO you care for any one?-
any woman, I mean
NO." he says, and yet he draws his
breath heavily as he speaks. p his
tones sinking and the shadows in his
dark eyes deepening-"never loved but
once. That was ten years ago, when l
was a boy of sixteen and she a girl Of
twelve. You may laugh at me, Miss May
DESMOND-TWO! " Il ~! u! A!12
nard, but | swear to you mat l loved
that child devotedly. When l left home
to complete my collegiate course l
her how dear she was to me and vowed
that on my return l would marry nee.
Then | kissed the tears from her blush:rg
little face and we parted. Ia mournful
minor note pulsating in his voice 4
never saw her again"
''Why?" the lady asks.
Il was ashamed" he says. 1T was at
college that l began the life which has
been my ruin. l saw not the abyss into
which was sinking until too late. Then
1 could not return to my little sweet
heart and let her innocent eyes see the
Wretched change that had been wrought
III me-"
But what became of her, Mr.. Des-
monde"
"She is in European Rome, 1 think.
Her parents died there two years ago
of the fever. Since then, 1 understand,
she has devoted herself to the study Of
art"
do you care for her still?"
"No, l think not. The love I once bore
her seems but a sad, sweet memory
now"
The shadow OF a smile touches Miss
Maynard's lips.
Since that is the case, 1 will hesitate
no longer. The world would not sneer
at your Wife, Mr.. Desmond. Will you
make me such in order that I may help
you? Do not misunderstood me, sir
s pcaking with sudden desperate haste.
ct is not love for which I ask-only
friendship and the protection of your
name"
For an instant Desmond almost doubts
the evidence Of his own ears.
WHAT! Would you be willing to make
such Il sacrifce?" he exclaims.
would it be no sacrifice on your
part?" she falters. Then low and be.
seemingly: "Please-please do not think
me bold and unWomanly. Remember it is
no young girl pleading for you love. You
yourself have intimated that l am old
enough to be your mother, and as a moth
CT | want to be near you, to help you n
every way l can. Would it be no sacri-
fee on your part?"
"Nonc," he says. In truth, despite tn
difference in their ages, she has begun
to exert over him a singular and power
full fascination. 81 am only amazed, y
he add "at the magnitude of your con-
descension."
"Then-' struggling to hide her eXcos-
sivc agitation u am to understand
:" That your interest in me, your bound
less trust have given me new nope and
life; that l am resolved to show you that
your confidence in me has not been ms
placed, by making myself worthy of II;
and that as your husband, I hope to be
able, in some measure at least, to prove
the gratitude feel. but which is beyond
the power of words to express. And may
God, who gave me your precious FREUD
.I-H1 y-hnr, NV mod wa tho S0IpCt hIIT
me to keep that resolve"
sAmen,' she answers TREMENDOUSLY. "And
never, never doubt that He Will"
What a change slx short months work
in Jack Desmond! The old life the old
desires are dead. They have fallen from
him rs a WORKOUT garment, Gods chosen
instrument, the fair and stately woman
who now bears his name, has redeemed
him.
Tonight, arrayed in a robe of trailing
black velvet, a cluster Of Waxen, crystal
clear mistletoe-berries at her throat, and
her beautiful silvery hair cleaning in the
lamplight, she IS swinging herself softly
to and fro IN a cushioned rocker; while
her handsome young husband, seated OF
an ottoman at her feet, looks up into
nSr lace, MS SlllllDS q CySS CIlShC VIII
tenderness.
Jack" she is saying, "you really ought
to go. 1t won't do for both OF US to re
main away, you know
Il will do whatever you wish" he an
swers. But I'd much rather stay a;
home with YOU"
do you know she laughs, leaning for
ward and playfully tapping him on the
lips with her fan, that before long PEG
pie will be saying you are IN love with
your old wife"
'.What if they do?' taking one OF hel
hands in his and lifting it to his lips
"Is il not true?"
A glow of crimson flashes into her pure.
pale face.
sHush." speaking with sudden sharp
ness. 'How often have | forbidden yot
to look at me and speak to me in tha'
way, Jack?"
His eyes darken with pain.
Don't ask me please. You told ne
he forn orr marriage that YOU did not de-