The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-01
Our Daily $bort Story

calling he began to view his wife,s letoopfng shoulders, work-worn hands and thin cheeks with serious iispleas- ure. He noted. merciiessly, her ner- vousness before strangers and the sim pie unpublished trend of her cohversa ton. He silently. but implacably. con- cluded that he had made a misaliiance, and that his wife was hopeiessly be- meath him.
 If Etta suspected her husbands opin- ions she did not accuse him of them Furthermore, she submitted in com plete silence. to the position of obscur- ity in which he placed her and their two little girls. He explained to her, very smoothly. that social recognition was what, most of all. he needed to as- sist him in exploiting his talent; and this he could gain much more swiftly if quite alone Etta merely bowed her heed. Since the world began there have been people who have borne silently and for long time the yoke of oppres- sion. But so surely as the dawnipg of day has always. come their final rebel Ilion-rebellion marked with the spirit of unsuitable resentment. In the indi- vidual who lights for personal rights can invariably be found this same re- lentless spirit.
 Wilkes Larrabee left his studio early on the evening that our story opens and made his way down town. Forty-seven Bardane Street was a little old-fashioned brick house, bull, with an English basement. Larrabee fitted his key in the ooor. and went first into the little reception room. It was empty and as he glanced AL- .E -f- N..- niture and the white. prim folds oi the coarse lace curtains his lip most apparently curled bit. 'Ts that you. wilkes?" called Etta, Tim out herei"
 Larrabee stepped through a short pasageway to the room beyond. This was used as a dining room. Larrabee gave a glance of surprise Never before had he seen the place look so attractive. lt.s A lamp had been placed in the cen. l ter of the neatly spread table and GOV. cred with deep crimson shade, which filled the room with soft light. 4 small bright fire snapped cheerily in the open grate, and on either end of the
 mantel shelf were punches of freshly cut flowers. sN Etta herself looked unusually well.
 
 gray material. which was frightened up at the waist and throat by touch of scarlet. Her heavy dark hair had been waved about her face. and her cheeks were becomingly flushed.
 We will have dinner right away Wilkes" she said. T sent Bridget up- stairs to put the children to bed, so she could wait on us."
 Somehow Wilkes had never heard hls wife speak with quite so much dignity She stood quietly before him, With one hand upon the back of a chair. and spoke with an air of deliberate com- pc sure quits new to her. Larrabee was thoroughly pleased. However, he did not say so. He merely raised his eyebrows and remarked: We ,are very formal this evening"" The color in Etta's cheeks swept upon her forehead and her eyes flashed suddenly. At this moment she was handsome.
 Wilkes advanced to her and took her into his arms. You are looking very sweet this evening. Etta." he , said. kissing her. Etta accepted the caress without re- sponse.
 T want to speak to you about something. Wilkes she said. break ing out of his embrace.
 Larrabe was pleased with her. It was his impluse to kiss her again, but he smiled good-temperedly. and said. Well what? I'm all attentionr"' Etta stood quite still, facing him. with her hand upon the back of the chair. wilkes" she said in low voice that trembltsi slightly from some force that lay behind it. q want to ask you when you are going to tell people that you have a wife and two children?''
 Larrabee stared at her in complete astonishment,
 DO you realize what my life is?' she continued. T have no friends: you will not even let me speak to my neighbors. You are beginning, too. to