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

surprise. and seeing that he was about
to ease his mind. she hurriedly gath
cred up her outdoor things and music
| roll. and with mrrnured excuse
| about being late. she left him.
One evening the postman brought 4
letter to Mr.. Elton. postmarkcd ut his
boyhoOd's home He read it over
gloomly. and contrary to his usual
custom. folded it up and placed it in
his pocket. without showing it to his
wife. She looked surprised. but said
nothing. In a few days another letter
came. aid still another. from the same
place. At last she spoke.
What in the world is Edgar writing
so often to you about" she asked as
she handed him the fourth. Without Il
word he gave her the unopened letter.
She broke the seal and read aloud:
Dear Jin-This is the fourth time
have written to you. and cannot un-
derstand your silence. Surely You wish
to help the other children in making
the golden wedding of our parents an
occasion they will remember with q
glow the rest Of their livcs-ShOrt as
that time must he. None of us are
rich, and so we cannot get the golden
remembrance we have agreed upon
without your So. Send it if possible.
Old boy. even if you have to retrench
somewhere in order to do it, or ut least
write and tell us that you cannot. so
that We may change the plan. Your
brother. EDGAR ELTON"
James" said his wife. gravely. Il
hope YOU are not getting to be par
simOniOus. You ought to have written
l noticed that our own anniversary
passed by and that You did not give me
even the smallest remembrance. You
surely are not going to slight your
dear old parents?"
"Confound it.. What have l to give
with? Is not all the money yours: DO
you not dole it out to me as if | were
an idiot or IA spendthrift? Do You sup
pose | cared to buy you 4 trinkct with
your own. or that | would think of
your money to my people,
How often have l told you tla
what is mine is yours: Have l ever
While she was speaking
she was counting out S25. She laid
The amount before him and fastened
.way to her room.
why is it. Nora he asked of her a
few days later. that when l begin to
say anything at all about the unpleaS-
,ntness of my position you always find |
business TO take you suddenly away |
She dropped her eyes. to hide the quick |
'leam that sprang into them. why is |
t. Nora:" he insisted
Because that is the easiest way of |
lisposing Of Il fuss" she replied simply. |
lave been before this year l could not |
scape disagreed bleness. because l was
led down here in the home"
He colored angrily. For all that.
<ora. may as well tell you at once
hat | shall stick out this year. as |
but no more. Mr.. UoIcombc
as sent me word that my place will he
eady for ne when | come back, and
certainly shall not continue in any
uch arrangement as this-not if you
made thousands month. instead of
wO hundred. l am tired of it-dis-
mine o'clock" she interrupted
astily, shutting hor watch with a
nap. Il really must hurry she
as gone before he could remonstrate.
le sat still for few moments. his
row black with wrath. but after
'hile slow smile upon his mouth
'idened into a grin. and all alone
lough he was, he leaned back in his
hair and laughed long and loud
1T was ii clever trick" said he to
imself, land she certainly has carried
out WELL" Then Ec fell to thinking,
nd although some of his reflections
ere anything but pleasant. he cour-
geously faced them out, until day
ght seemed to dawn all through his
When she came in that
venins. more tired than usual and
ith lines Of worry about her lips. he
rev her within doors and clasDed her
Osely in his arms.
Mora, darling" he whispered. with
is lips on hers, Il am very slow of
apprehension. but if sauce for the
pose is sauce for the gander. I've had
enty.'' (
OH she tried to speak. but the
ords trailed off into sobs. and she
led happy tears on his bosom. 1t
as like the old days. to hear that note | :
playful seriousness in his voice. He
'othed and petted her in the way she
Id hungered for. and when she sat
,side him. calm once more. he told
wv it had never occurred to him that !
woman like herself who had been so
,rfectly independent before marriage
uld not be satisfied with dependence
terward.
There You are wrong. James," she !.
terrupted him. IF had cared great
in that way | never would have mar
ed you. 1t is sweet to me to be de-
ndent upon yOu-only it used to gal
to have it constantly forced upon
G that l. who had as great earning
wer as has the average man. could