The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-12-21
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PATTERNS
OF PROPERTY
BY Z. WASHINGTON
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Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.

anu Wnen ne S mere ltS all diilercn
, but when he's out at work and III
alone-oh, it seems so dull to be maj
ried!" Her eyes grew wistful.
She leaned, forward gazing intent
ly into the leaping flames, but it wa
no longer the white-tiled hearth an
polished brass that met her view; sh
was far away.
oh, to be back there just for once
with sunburnt hands and an oil
frock, gay and careless with the hom
crowd-but she paused. What woul,
Owen think? Had he not furnishe,
the fiat as daintily and beautifully
as possible to be a fitting background
for her, and how disappointed h,
would be If he knew how wicked!
diseontented she was.
at that instant there sounded I
sharp rat-tat at the door, and Turn
err the maid, appeared with an or
arge envelope and silver salyer.
"A telegram Her mistress spil
its rose. "Oh, hope it's something
exciting, something delightful"
tone fell. mo answer" she said, de
icctedly, and, as the maid withdrew
size tossed the crumpled missiye into
the glowing fire
Detained, don't wait dinner
Owen A whole day alone, and now
tie whole evening too" She pouted
and her lips trembled like child S,
And one of cooks hatefully perfect
dinners to be sat through, with Turn
or mounting guard over me like a
Policeman ! can't stand it, I'm get
| ting to hate herr shall throw my
bread at her or scream, ] know l
| shall"
And then suddenly, as the sun
bTrsts out from a rain-cloud. soft
radiance oyerspread her face. She
drew a long breath, claspcd her
hands, and in ecstasy whispered: I'll
| d. it,"
She ran to the clock--one OF the
Wedding presents, a pretty, fragile
t,y, Cupid swinging in wreath Of
trrllants, and peered anxiously at
Che dial.
Only five, BY superhuman efforts
| can catch the $40. reach Woodcote
at seven, and be with them all by
eight. What an inspiration, what
stroke of genius!" She laughed joy
ously, all trace of boredom vanished.
I'll be back tomorrow, and IL Owen
is dining out he won't miss me for
few hours Oh, how astonished
They'll be whom | just walk in upon
them."
She rushed to the writing table
with an impatient swish of her skirts
NOW, | must leave note behind me
on the mantelpiece, just as they do
In plays and novels" and with tri-
ulnphant little laugh she dashed off
hurried one.
Dearest must not think his wife
has deserted him; she has only run
home, and will be back early to-
morrow; her love as always"
THERE" She closed and sealed
the letter. propping it UP against the
Cupid clock,
The grim Turner was considerably
surprised to see her usually immac.
ulate mistress leave the house twenty
minutes later clad in shabby serge
skirt and much worn rusty tam o
shanter.
Later that evening Mr.. Vansittart
opened the door with his latch-key;
he was tired after a long days work,
ard the light and warmth of the fiat
struck an agreeable contrast to the
gloomy drizzle without.
His cheerful call of Peggy, where |
are your" brought Turner from the |
regions of the kitchen.
Mrs. Vansittart thought you
would be dining out. SIR she in |
formed him, land has gone away |
There's note for you on the mantel-
piece. What orders shall | give cook
about your dinner"
"A note-gone away. by Jove'"
said vansittart to himself. whats
IN now?"
He tore open the envelope, and
smiled as he read. Turner watching |
fE.rtively. summed mp his conduct in
o5e word: "Heartless"
What" said her master absent
~. "Oh. no. III dine at the club;
but as the door closed behind the maid
he strolled to the window no. In.
Hanged If | will he decided. I'm |
rot in the mood to turn out again
or TO dress. either. I've a good mind
10 spend a bachelor evening here 4
bachelor evening" he repeated: mot
n bad idea. They were good old
lays. after all--case before elegance"
he cast disappearing eye about the
Dom. Strange what an amount of
rippcry women surround themselves
with"
So he srFsyed himself ia his old
smoking jacket-relic of bygone days
piled coal on the fire. drew forward
he most comfortable chair, and pre-.
pared for enjoyment.
Soon clouds of smoke filled the
Dom. wreathing about the delicate
langings and damask curtains, as he
,uifed away in placid content. the silk
cushions in mangied heap proppirE
IFS head He had arranged a syphon
md decanter at his elbow. his slip
,ered feet we're stretched in the
ilaze. Yes. he could get through an
evening like this quite comfortably
So he read and smoked and dozed
While The hours few. After the aerv