The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-29
THE PRICE OF IT.
BY MARY BELLE POOLE MASON.

ny MARY BELLE POOLE MASON.
 fCopyriRht, 1905, by Daily Story Pup.
 Company
 Why did I ever go, on that wretcneo excursion. Why am I always dolng what I ought not to have done? The rush of getting aboard the train, the sort of spasmodic surprise at not get ting left nearly always get to the train by the veritable inch Of my teeth, which Is very strange, for a woman who spends about half of her life run ming for trains, boats or buggies' put then I've been dubbed queer. anu guess I am about most things. make two dear, tired-out lookingly elderly men. who have only this one little day off during the winter, perhaps. to go for a Sundays outing. give up their seats to me. look around; and again meet that man. Yes, he's actually lowing to me again.. after all the snups I've given him. What or who does he take me for, I wonder? Hes tried again and again to speak to me on the street. Is he one of the regular mash ers?" He doesn't look it. Why he looks like a gentleman, real aristo- crat; and he has a fine characteristic face, with strong determined. almost beautiful mouth. I never would have picked him out as a fast man about town-one who runs after petttcoats but I know that he has bowed to me and actually smiled several times, on the different streets of late. I've always gazed blankly into space whenever we chanced to collide in business circles; and now here he is again-just when I did think I'd have a little rest and pleasure for my Sunday after week on the rack of finance and how to make the one dollar back up the requirements of six of his needed relations.
 Well. I guess l have frozen him out this time. He has disappeared. Why, goodness me. No! There he Is speak ing to Mir C. Why! Why! Why! What a silly. conceited little goose I've been all along Why I know now who he is. How utterly stupid of me to have forgotten He is the really nice hus- band of a sweet, pretty woman. know who introduced me to him ages ago Poor man, how I have misjudged him in my thoughts. Flirtatious. indeed when he merely acknowledged an ac- women folk well. I really must call to him and apologize. What does he think of me? He laughs a good bit wfSn I tell him all the soil I've been imputing to him for many weeks past and says he really couldn't understand why I was so uncivil to him when the folks at home sounded my praise. make room TOT nlTl on tHe seat DeSiue me, the car is dreadfully crowded and I'm sure that rim of the coach seat he must find very uncomfortable If there is any way to help 1t and the seat is wide enough for two. We'll we talk and talk and talk. How well he does talk. He Is really charming fellow. He Is bright and funny. too I do love one who doesn't have to be told This is a book, 1t is a green book Do you see that 1t is green? What a dear husband he must make. I'm sure he never does bore her. She's a lovely woman (and he speaks as if he adores her). I'm sure she must adore him, she couldn't help 1t. He Is really one of the most adorable men I ever met heard somewhere that she was a semi-invalid. Now that Is a pity for he seems so full of warm, vigorous life I've always pitied men with weakly wives. but guess I ought to pity the wives more. for they have to bear the suffering.
 Pshaw why can't I help from admir- ing that strong, determined, almost beautiful mouth of his. strong mouth yes but tender and I'm sure kissable What is the matter with me? Am breaking one of the ten commandments outright? But it says Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife," not a word