The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-08
THE HERO, THE HUSBAND AND THE BOY

S~-~sers~~~-~
- Chalmers.sdid not like martial, music
and very greatly disapproved of the
military, and yet Chalmers was not un-'
patriotic. 5115f !
Hearing without the military music
he so hated, Chalmers rose up from his
divan and twitched together the heavy
curtains at the front windows, thereby
shutting OFF the view from the little
boy who stood there watching. n
But they are heroes! heroesi Mr..
Chalmers--everyY one," the boy said in
an aggrieved tone.
F "Well," said Chalmers, am willing %
And he lay down again upon his back,
with one foot cooked over his knee,
his hands clasped behind his head and
his elbows Rugged over his ears. 'Chal-
mers certainly did hate the military
uncommonly.
II wonder if Mrs. Chalmers is looking
out of the drawing room Window
said the boy. Il hope so. It's all be-
cause Of her father-that marching
there, and-I do hope she is looking"
We'll, Norman, I can, ina gine-With
an effort-a wayeof finding OUT.
a9f;You mean-to cross the, hall21e,4A
Exactly! cross the hall"
-@1"1H 'go!9' e. $50
Thank. you, - returned Chalmers.
Probably he could not have spoken
without a touch sofoirory in his tone If
he had tried-and he didn't try.
AS Norman turned toward the door
Mrs. Chalmers enters hurriedly. When
she saw Chalmers. she paused just an
instant, but not: long enough to 'fiatter
him. She threWisthe curtains wide and
opened the window Norman looked at
Chalmers, then he too went to the win
dow. The boy always responded to
the lady's love Of military spectacles.
Perhaps it was the, boy of it.
ITS the anniversary of the day your
father did somethin, isn't it, Mrs. -Chal-
mers? Your father was a great hero,
wasn't he-Mrs. Chalmers? They-they
are. doing things with their swords,
aren't they-Mrs-. Chalmers? Still no
answer. Mrs. Chalmers was looking
out.
'They are. Look at the buttons
look at their buttons" he cried, at last
too pleased with what he saw to care
whether he was listened to or not.
Don't you think you may have made
fuss enough?" Chalmers asked.
The boy was 'abashed, and turned
quickly from the window
II did not mean to annoy YOU" he
said, with seeming of self-repression
that belonged to him.
You didn't annoy me- Chalmers re-
turned, quickly. Then he arose from
the divan and took from the floor
scarf which his wife in her haste had
dropped.
T-I-fear you will take cold" he
said, with something of the little boys
diffidence, as he placed the scarf about
his wifes shoulders.
She turned and looked at him with
much elaboration. She was as cold in
manner as truly passionate woman
knows how to be.
THANK you."sishe said. and closed
the window
II have not Eseen you in several
well?" I's ~
81 am well, thank you"
Dinner will served presently"
said Chalmers, with eagerness in pose
and tone. ''Do-do we dine together ?'
Il dine at home tonight-if you mean
that" she replied.
Yes; and will1you await dinner
here?" s&s
"As well here: as elsewhere" she
acquiesced. Chalmers had a courtly
way. He motioned toward a chair near
the fire, and Mrs. Chalmers caught her
breath, as she always did when she
observed in him that tone and manner
She hoped Chalmers mind was on
something else.
We'll, sir?" said, Chalmers, looking
over her head at Norman.
The boy had been standing quite
apart, watching them wistfully. When
Chalmers spoke he started. ~ l..
You want something?" asked Mrs.
Chalmers, looking coldly at him.
'T'-he hesitated,
Speak up" said Chalmers, testify
Il wondered if-tonight, you would
mind if I had my dinner with you-or
with the housekeeper; if you had rath-
er not''-he continued hurriedly.
why with us-or the housekeeper %
THE, music. and the gold braid and
every one SO gay, and"-