The San Francisco call., 1905-03-12
THE .ATAVISM OF
PAULINE.
BY INA WRIGHT HANSON.

! finished. I'm your penniless man; now
when will you marry me ,"
She stared at me. her eyes round and
amazed. Then she laughed nervously-
have, too" she gasped
Have what. darling?" 1 queried.
Given everything away. I was Just
writing TO you to tell you that cared
more for you than for my wretched
money; and it's all gone. gone. gone!''
Never mind. little girl We have
each proven our love. Now we will
start in and live as our grandparents
did. | will buy a ranch
My grandparents didn't. and you
haven't any money. Ebert
-Oh, that's so. Well. 1 will go and
work for rancher. then. and you can
help rancher's wife. You can make
butter, and feed the hens. and-and
fatten the pigs, can't you?"
She held UP her little white hands
and I covered them with kisses. Then
she put them. one on each side of nv
face, and looked steadily into nv ewes
"Elbert. will try If the ranchers
wife will have patience with me-"
ITO whom did you give your for
tune?" 1 asked, after a minute.
Her lips were quiverirg again. so
said hastily
"Well. sweetheart, go put on your
plainest gown. as BELTS Door mans
bride. and we will go at once to the
parsonage"
I laughed when she came back Her
'plainest gown" was simple and white.
but probably cost as much as i could
oo -, -, tL,e IN,
THE minister lent me the monev
for the license. and has promised to
wait till i get my first months wages
we walked along.
Pauline's face flushed. and she looked
! up piteously.
Didn't you save out enough for the
ring-my wedding ring?" she whis-
pered.
Made clean sweep Of everything"
answered cheerfully. except nv
| clothes. 1 didn't think my-er-ben-
eficiary would care for those"
She gave a patient sigh.
You will get me a ring as soon as
you can, won't you. Elbert? I shan't
feel married without wedding ring"
Sure. little girl" I answered huSk
lily. as we reached the parsonage.
When my wife and 1 emerged from
the minister's gate I looked at her
inquiringly:
WELL L said, probably we had
better start at once for the country"
My small wife raised her hand with
a charming assumption Of dignity.
Indeed. we shall not We will go
home until such time as we choose TO
go. The church can wait till we are
quite ready TO depart"
That evening as we sat in the rose
garden we were joined by Mr. Law
ton Pauline's lawyer.
May / inquire as TO your plans for
the future?" asked the lawyer.
I'VE are going to the country to
| find work." Pauline began bravely.
You see. EIbert did just what I did
gave his money away. He came here
to tell me, and I was writing TO him.
Wasn't il funny coincidence?"
Very" said the lawyer dryly.
Ny wife folded and unfolded her
handkerchief. The lawyer gazed into
space Pauline sighed. and Mr.. Lay
ton cleared his throat.
"And you expect to enjoy drudgery
instead of luxury. do you?" he asked
with a suspicion OF a growl.
TT isn't a matter of liking" Pauline
answered quietly. "Elbert did il be-
cause he cared a great deal for me:
1 did it because loved Ebert, and I
thought it was right. OF course.
neither of US thought Of the others
sacrificing; but it's done, and we are
going to make the best Of It,"
Il see. Would il disappoint you
too much If your property were still
yours?'
/ Pauline gasped.
Il thought you'd be sorry. 50 I made
up the message from the church. As
the church doesn't know what she
missed. she will be able to endure it,
Pauline gave a joyful cry. "Oh, Ell
bert, 1 needn't wait month for my
wedding ring"
My wife buy her own wedding
ring?" / asked fondly. wishing the
lawyer were in Mexico for a moment
mo; I'll have my property made over
to you. dear"
Mr.. Layton turned to me- May I
inquire sir, to whom you made over
your property? Was yours given to
| charity, also?"
II didn't think so at the time I did
| it, / responded smilingly. 1T is in
the name of Pauline Mowbray spin
ster 1 suppose her subsequent mar
riage-"
Pauline's face was close to mine
You precious. old. deceitfuI goose,''
she said Copyright. 1905. by Ina
Wright Hansonr)