The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-02-23

ing gave way taking them both with It
ana leaving him on the broken edge
safe"
She covered her face with her hands
"Oh!" she murmured. l didn't know
What have | done?"
''I1e told me once" he went on, "thai
II had left him with the feeling that
fire would never touch him, but that
to think of anyone he cared for being
in a FIRE made him-well, what you
saw"
They were silent for an instant
"Hullo!" he said suddenly, they've
got the curtain down"
The two stood up. Firemen and DO.
lieemen were everywhere.
mo danger! No dangerl"
The words passed from mouth to
mouth, and though they were not strict.
ly true, the effect of the lowered cur
tain was magical. The crowd was pre-
ceptibly thinner, noticeably calmer, but
round each exit were gruesome proofs
of the violence Of the paaic
Elizabeth"
They looked at each other. "It's
John" she said family.
U.s. hO oahu, lis DluAlc Was
bitter, "It's John. Goodbye. Forget
it all, Elizabeth. Do you know"--he
looked at his watch--"it's all hap.
pened in less than ten minutes?"
"Really?" she said. at can't be pos.
sible." But her eyes were searching
for her husband.
The Other Man noticed It. ELIZA
BETH" he said, half shamefacedly.
"Yes," she answered, her eyes search,
ing the crowd.
"You are going to make up to him
somehow for--for saying that to
him?"
Her eyes softened and she held out
her hand. "That was nice of you," she
said gently. Eyes. am going to make
up to him. pray God, he will never
know what l thought"
elizabeth" He had found her at
last The Other Man slipped away.
"I've found way" he exclaimed
breathlessly. "Come along"
"Oh," she cried, you've hurt your
hand; it's bleeding"
He held out the other to her mo, |
no; it's nothing. had rather a bother
with the doors and windows. That's
why I've Deen so long.
She followed him silently.
When they were in their carriage and
On their way home there was an awk.
ward silence. Elizabeth had just
finished bandaging his hand with the
lid of both their handkerchiefs.
"Dear," he said at last, would you
mind telling me why you--you asked
ne to go away?"
She looked at him reproachful
,out "Must you inquire into all your
vife's weaknesses?" she asked
81 only wondered"
"Of course" she interrupted, II knew
rou would, and meant to tell you.
But you'll despise me. You've got q
-ery unheroic wife. John. When
4sked you to go was---she went on
was nearly dead with
right, and I couldn't bear to have you
o see it; so said the first thing l
bought Of to get rid of you while l
ot over it; What did say?-I
idn't know what was saying, John.
,ut-I did get over it"
His face cleared and he bent and
Used her. His voice was very tender.
my wife" he said. do
on know"--he laughed light-heart-
dly-"I've been worrying like every
hing about it. fancied you thought
was in a funk about myself. IL
lought you meant that" "
She stared at him, then burst out I
Historically and threw her !
rms round his neck. "0h, you dear, I
airing old stupid" she cried. e
Don't you know yet that women !.
ever mean what they seem to mean?" !
He made mock gesture of despair. +
So now that you seem to mean you
rather fond of me, Eliza i
eth, what do you really mean?" b
She smiled up at him swiftly. THAT b
consider you just perfect" she whis- I
cred.
Upstairs In their own room, when
. had gone down to give some orders
the servants, Elizabeth wandered to Y
le window. Her eyes were troubled. D
nddenly she knelt down and buried
pr face in her hands. "God grant" o
lie supplicated, that he will never 9
1ow---I do love him. have al 4
avs loved him--but that l should u
I'VE thought him afraid" Sketch. a