The Western news., 1903-01-21

i snail have to readjust myself and
that's all there is to it," John said.
when his loneliness grew oppressive.
AS time slipped away, that which he
had 1oreseen came to pass. Charlie
was always in hurry. After business
hours there were household errands to
be attended to, or he was in rush to
get nome, for ''the little woman" did
not IKE him to be late at dinner. There
were no more golden moments when
the two come together to talk things
over and to dine at their leisure when
appetite prompted. The delight of
Keeping irregular hours was a thing Of
the past. The purposeless Sunday af-
ternoon walks they had been in the
habit Of taking, going somewhere they
did not know why, to do something
they did not know what, were at an
end. Unconsciously, John caught
Charles mania for hurry. and at
night. after he had closed his Office,
fastened to his boarding place, as If
the next moment was his last, there to
gulp down his dinner with a speed
that left him facing a long, empty
evening.
The one who is left behind suffers
more from the change than the one
who has gone to new scenes and fresh
interests. For few months after
Charles marriage, the novelty of
housekeeping and Of having a wife and
home excluded every other considera-
ton. His wife neither needed, nor
wanted, anything or any one else. The
walls Of her house bounded her world,
and her sun rose and set in Charlie.
John had been invited to spend an oc-
casional evening with them, and he
was hidden to always feel free to join
them at their Sunday dinner. But John
was wise in the affairs Of men. He
did not wish to run the risk Of being
regarded as an intruder, and he never
went to the home of his friend without
a special invitation.
The day dawned when Charlie missed
the support and stimulus Of Johns
calm strength and ready sympathy.
He felt the old longing to tell Johnny
about it," when good or ill-luck attend
ed his fortunes. He needed the spur
Of unbiased opinion that stamped him
either fool or a wise man as it might
happen. The wires of friendship that
had sagged and slackened were pulling
taut again. And as they pulled, he
danced like a marionette to their
straining. He began to revolt against
domestic restraint, and his rebellion
gave birth to moments of irritation.
1t grew painful to pose forever on the
pedestal Of ideality where he had been
placed by his wife. The masculine
companionship that lent zest to his life
was missing, and, by reason of its
absence, he found it a most desirable
quantity.
1t was the evening Of a day marking
the successful close of a business deal
| Of which he had had great expecta-
tions. He carried the glad news home
to his wife and received her apprecia-
ton and congratulations. Still he
! feared she did not quite understand
the keenness of his operations He
wanted to tell Johnny. Oh, to tell
Johnny! that eager desire would not
be quieted. In his restlessness he wore
a shiny place on his trousers moving
back and forth on his chair. At length
he got light to see the way. He was
not a prisoner. 1t was only fear OF
disapproval that held him in chains
Even if man was married he neeC
not relinquish the friend Of lifetime
| When he stopped to think he remem
bered that he had never been asked tt
relinquish that friend. 1t was thu
knowledge that, while his wife wa,
! graciously polite when John accepted
their hospitality, she did not encour
age frequent visits. This unspokel
disapproval had enslaved him.
He sprang to his feet with sud
denness that startled his companion
She had been swaying her chair to ant
fro. singing under her breath melod.
of happiness.
Where are you going, CharlieY' sh
cried, alarmed by the fierce light Of de
termination glittering in his eyes.
I'm going to tell Johnny about it,
he answered, finishing his thought
aloud. in tones that forbade discus
sion.
1t was the first evening he had lef
his wife since they had been married
For moment she felt as if he ha
dealt her blow. Then she was bless
ed with understanding. Like fias
is was revealed to her that the prolons
ed solitude Of two is not best for cor
tinued harmony. While she was think
Ing, Charlie had gone out Of the from
door and had closed it. She ran afte
him reached the veranda just as h
was turning into the street.
Charlie" she called. "oh, Charlie
bring John here. I'm going to be
early tonight. You can have the hous
to yourselves. Bring John here. wi
you. CharlieT'
Charlie would and did. Late In tn
night. the little woman who had wi!
dom. awakened and smiled, when sh
heard ascending from the lower floo