The St. Mary banner., 1905-07-01

\ y money? This is the thirt
as: :: a.: IL: IL: ii +: !: !: E :: !: T.! i
money! James Elton looked up from
his paper, his handsome face disfig
ured with an unpleasant ScOwl.
IF you made me an allowance ]
would not need to annoy you SO Of
ten," retorted his wife. She forced hel
voice and face into calmness, but In
spite of her hurt look crept into her
eyes.
If | made more, Nora. you would
be welcome to it-you know that" lie
resumed. But my salary is so small
that 1t does seem to me you could be
more careful. There is no prospect of
my making more and you ought to be
trying to save up for a rainy day" He
pushed dingy S. bill toward her.
What are you going to buy with
that? More foolishness for the house
and garden:" At that, she flashed
back, angrily:
Il am going to buy the first pair Of
!. gloves have had for four years. l
am also going to invest in decent pair
of shoes-something my feet have been
strangers to since the children came"
Noticing the temper in her voice he
got up suddenly. took his hat and coat
and went on down the street. 1t was
not often that Nora fiared ont, and
when she did he got rid Of the unpleas-
antness by fight. She watched him
aout of sight, then busted herself with
yetting the two children off to school,
and when she was alone in the house
yshe gave way to tempest of rebel
(ic hmotions.
l. 1Rad given up her position as mu-
Acher and its emOlument which
was greater than her husband had ever
been able to command, in order to
marry and make home for the man
she loved. But when he grumbled and
fretted she often felt her position to be
almost intOlerable. 1t had never
seemed SO much so as on this morning.
1t brought matters to a crisis, and a
plan that had been appealing to her
persistently was finally determined
upon. She bought the new gloves,
made herself as attractive as possible
and then went to the city. When she
came back the haggardness had disap-
peared from her cheeks and the shad-
Ows from her eyes, and she actually
sang as she was setting the supper
table.
THAT sounds good, Nora,' said her
husband as he came into the hall. Il
love to hear you sing. A cheerful wife
Is indeed treasure and of late you
have been so gloOmy." He did not un-
derstand the queer smile with which |
she received these words, but she
chatted brightly all through the pleas
mt meal. After the little ones were in
bed she sat down close beside him and
Dlipped her hand into his.
IShave something to say to you,"
me began, "and this time it is not to
~ for money"
what is mine is yours, my DEAR"
= MD, hastily. If appear niggard-
y at times it il only because l know
how hard money is to make and how
Very easy it is to spend"
Yes. l think l quite understand.
But have something to propose that l
want you to think over. You said this
morning that there was no prospect of
raise in your salary. 1t is hard for
,e0ple reared as we have been to live
With any comfort and bring up our
'hildren as we would upon $50 q
onth. Now, cannot quite make up
" mind to send them to a home or
leave them to the tender mercies of
efvants. You have often said lately
nat you needed rest. If you will re-
nah in the home for one years time,
est and recrsate, I will 60 out and
make twice aa much as you are max
ng now. This morning went to Hol-
eyworth College and found they are
8 anxious as ever to give me the de-
aitment Of music. And you know Dr.
)evine's offer is still open for me as
Padlng soprano at st. Luke's. Now
III you agrae to this and agree to
tex it out fer a whole year? Remem-
G how much you need the rest.'
He was almost rendered speechless
/: his amazement. She never before |
I'd offered to help him by taking up
er old work, because she insisted that
le could do no justice to both home
M outside work at once, and her
work was dearer to her.
Remember, James," she proceeded,
We would not need to be pinched as
e now are, and there would be some
ling to lay aside for the rainy day"
Il don't like the plan," he said, slow
!. why cannot You take a pupil or
70 and perhaps sing in the church
I'd still keep track Of affairs at home?
18th my salary we would then be very
'nsortable." L