The Appeal., 1906-08-04

~ y d udIIer OF SOme-lmpOrtanCe
to put my hand on it as soon as possi-
BILE Nothing else would have ex-
cused my breaking into your house
without giving you warning
After ALL" said Mrs. Harling, IN a
slightly tired voice. ''it's as much your
house as mine
is very kind of you to say so,'.'
said Harliag, simply. with your per-
mission I'll just er---''
Pray do. ''a-
With look of intense affection, in
which there was more than a dasn Of
amusement, Mrs. Harling watched her
six-foot husband search with well SIM
ulated eagerness for something they
both knew had never been in the
house.
You are quite well, hope, he
said, peering into a rose-bowl
Quite we'll, thank you. And your
Never better, thanks. A slight touch
OF my old friend the gout two days
ago. And last night woke with it in
my knee
I'm sorry"
But I'm extremely we'll otherwise
The only other things have to COM
plain about are complete sleeplessness,
aexcruciating neuralgia and constant
lumbago. Perhaps didn't. leave this
book here, after all.''
= Perhaps not" Mrs Harling turned
laugh into a little cough.
so perhaps I'd better not keep
you
oh, you may as well find it now
you're here,'' she said, quickly, wish
ing fervently that she could lock the
door,
You're sure I'm not disturbing
you?"
You won't disturb me in the least"
Harl1ng found his wife looking care
lessly into the fire. "Of course I ought
to have sent messenger, but the fact
is wanted the book in hurry. I
never like to be long without my Pen
oennis.''
Il didn't think you ever read.''
I'm vOracious reader, now"
You never used to read The little
woman noted the now with intense
satisfaction.
No, but during the last three
months I've read everything there is
to read-except Pendennis. and I've al
ways heard that book well spoken
Of"
Mrs. fHarling was quite unable to re-
slst the temptation. But if you've
never read it, why do you never like to
be long without it?''
Harling fell back on, his mustache.
which he pulled vigorously. well,
you see, the covers bright I like
bright covers when I'm feeling dull.
They add a touch of welcome color to
the surroundings. Oh, here it is.
Adam Bede.' To be sure l knew it
was one or the other. Adam Bese'
always reminds me of Pendennis !
suppose because it doesn't begin with
P" He laughed namely.
But that's got black cover"
SO it has. Well, l daresay it will
remind me not to feel too cheerful.
Thanks. Good-by."
'.Good-by.'
Harling didn't move. Mrs. Harling
was certain that he wouldn't.
'You never used to feel too cheer
full she added, two months ago.
Il hardly remember anything so long
back. as two months ago." There was
a pause. Harling could think of moth
ing else to say. He longed to catch
the little woman in his arms and noll
her tight.
He went two steps nearer. If you
should have any message for me the
club will always find me. Whites"
Thank you. l will try and remem-
ber."
He fidgeted with the back of the
chair, nervously. Then he laughed
and tried to speak lightly. His voice
was loaded with weights. "It's pretty
cheerful at the club just about now,
can tell you. Everybody's gone away
and SO the walters and have the place
to ourselves. -pleasant-tha
DO you like being sone with the
waiters?"
"'Yes, thanks They're quiet, re-
spectacle men. Old soldiers, many of
em. Some of 'em served under me.
They remind me of the happiest time
of my life
THE time before you married me-.
you mean?"
"I'm afraid wasn't marrying man.
I'd been a bachelor before, you know.
A man like that forms selfish habits
that do not fall in with a woman's
views. He gets irritable over little
things-grumbles at the food and finds
fault with the servants"
You never did,"
ITS very nice of you to say so. Well,
good-by!"
"Good-by!'
This time, this unpsychological man
actually went to the door, and this
time this psychological woman be-
lieved that he was going. She made
step to follow him.
He turned.
You've not altered anything here,
see. It looks just the same dear little
shome.''
Does it?" Mrs. Harling's voice was
very soft. She had paid him out for
an offence he had not committed and
was satisfied. Mrs Harling was moth
ing it not woman
Harling forgot to be nervous. by
Jove," he said, with queer kind of
laugh. You still keep yesterdays pa