Willmar tribune., 1905-12-27

the study door opposite. I: Yes, Jack, I
was speaking to myself about we'll.
about Niece Mary" s s: .ss =...s zZs
DR.. Spud smiled and, closing the
door, quietly turned the key. This was
the straw that broke the camel's back.
Mrs. Spud stood bewildered. She had
never heard that key turned against
her before. She went back to the
kitchen and remained there long
time. She no longer conyersed with
herself about the cat. "a, g e. T +
But an hour. later, when DR.. Spud un-
locked the study door and backed up
to the living room stove in his favorite
attitude, his nearsighted eyes saw an
apparently placid Mrs. Spud comfort
ably seated in her big rocker, and
while he stood, his hands clasped be-
hind him, she read the "locals'' aloud,
as usual ~ -
The next morning she awoke early
and began wondering with an uncom-
Portable heayiness of heart whether the
study fire would be built that day. It
was Directly after tea DR.. Jack again
appeared with his arms full of wood
and said in his mild, affectionate voice,
my dear, think shall occupy thu.
study awhile tonight" and his wife
whispered to herself over the dishpan,
"Why did go to Niece Mary's on
New Years day." and her lip qnivered
pitifully with the whisper.
Whatever the work was, it proved to
be daily task. Until warm June
sun heated the study DR.. Spud carried
his arm full Of kindling from the
wood shed directly after tea. II he no
ticed that his wife gradually busted
herself in other parts Of the house al
that time he made no comment, and
the subject, after a few weeks, was
never mentioned by either.
As the year wore itself out the peo
pie of Shemung began to remark t1
each other that at last Mrs. Spud was
beginning to show her age. If this
We're true, it was due to the daily
turning Of the key in the study door
That represented the only sore spot hel
heart held.
To DR.. Jack she was the same loyal
loving wife that he had always known
Not shadow from the study door die
she allow to fall across her manner
with him. Otherwise she would have
scorned herself.
But to herself she acknowledged thai
1t was the longest year she had eve1
spent. This thought was uppermost il
her mind as she sat on New Years eve
beside the stove in the living room
reading the daily paper She was alone
and had been for longer time thar
usual, for the study door was closed
Suddenly the outside doorbell rang
Mrs. Spud laid aside the paper and
arose to respond. Before she had
reached the door, however, it opened
and young man came tramping in.
"Where's the doctor?'' was his un
ceremonious greeting. Mr.. Brown is
dying"
Mr.. Brown was DR.. Spud's last pa
tient.
''Dying" cried Mrs. Spud, aghast.
She started toward the study door
Her hand was on the knob before she
recalled herself. She stopped. She
had not once during the year approach
ed that locked door.
'The doctor is In his Office" she said
In low tone. "Will you step in and
! tell him?'
The young man gave her surpr;seG
glance, but obediently raped on the
door, while Mrs. Spud retreated into
the kitchen. There she remained only
until the sounds indicated that the doc
tor had reached the front hall. Then
she followed him and put him into his
greatcoat, tucking him in and patting
the corners as she used to do when he
faced the storms Of winter night.
With his tall hat in his hand, Dr.
Spud stopped suddenly and kissed his
wife's forehead. Although affection
for her showed in every word and &C.
ton, such demonstrations on his part
were rare, and that kiss seemed ia
deepen the sore spot in Mrs. Spud's
heart.
She returned to the living room with
quivering lips and sat down in he1
chair. Then she noticed that the study
door was open and the lamp placed on
the writing desk was faring in the
draft. For long time she sat and
watched that lamp. 1t was her duty
to remove it, yet her feet almost re
tfused to carry her into that room.
Finally she forced herself to the
door. There she stopped. A chill all
struck her. The fire had died down
Jack ought not to work here in the
cold," she said softly, looking about
her.
Her eyes Travelled slowly around the
room, coming to surprised halt al
the safe. It was open Evidently
DR.. Spud had been interrupted in the
midst Of some unusual task In the
safe and heaped before it on, the f1ool
lay pile Of clean white envelopes
From where she stood Mrs. .Spud saw
they were sealed. She did not so near
er because her sense of honor forbade
She did not retreat because surprise
weighted her feet. The flaring lamp
and the chill air We're forgotten.
She was finally aroused by her hus
bands voice. He stood beside her
MY dear, you have discovered littls
secret of mine"
j. His wife started guiltily and looked
up into the strong old face which shont
down on her tenderly. She could no,
speak. p
DR.. Spud raised her plump left hant
and held it In his. II had not intended
you should know until'- -. ..~ t."
He paused abruptly and led her tt